Image Size to Print Size

[Carrie]

I know in the past that I've seen charts which show the image size needed to produce a certain print size, I'm not sure if I've seen those online or sent to us by various printers and publishers. Does anyone know if charts like this are available online? I'm probably going to be thinking about this with relation to images of 300dpi.

[Snapperjack]

The way I understand it, at 300 dots per inch, just times up the print size in inches by 300 to get the pixel dimensions. ie

6x4 = 1800px x 1200px
7x5 = 2100px x 1500px
10x8 = 3000px x 2400px
12x8 = 3600px x 2400px
15x10 = 4500px x 3000px

But with excellent files straight from the camera most will easily print up to A4 without any resizing etc. This is putting it simply. Hope this is what you meant.

[Snapperjack]

Here's a link to further info:

http://www.photobox.co.uk/quality.html#resolution

[F1Nut]

Sounds about right, I have had loads of photos from photobox the quality is great and perfect service.

Regards,

Steve.

[Carrie]

Thanks for that, I was just looking for basic dimensions to give to someone else so that they can decide what to downsize images to.

[MolsonBoy]

Most editors require 300 dpi for publishing. For printing purposes I try to stay above 250 dpi. I get great results. Most of my prints are 16x20. My lab has an image hanging by the front counter which is a 20x24 at 200 dpi. The detail is fantastic! So I suppose a rule of thumb is to stay at or near 300 dpi but if needed you can go lower. Sometimes that may be your only option.

[djb]

am with MB for the keeping it above 250 general rule. For larger stuff, lower is definately acceptable.
some friends of mine who have a photo lab and have added a 9000 series Epson printer that prints to i think 44" wide, regularly print big prints (over 20x24) at 200dpi with excellent results. Makes sense, as busshelter type posters etc are printed at a much lower resolution, a billboard even less.

top quality original files a must of course, and then you get into the area of what software is doing the extrapolation if needed. High end printer "RIP" software is super expensive and super good.