When you’re printing photos, what size should you choose? Understanding how picture sizes work is critical to any photo design project. It can be tricky to decide, especially if you’re not sure what the standard photo print sizes are.
In this blog post, we have compiled a complete guide on the different print sizes available and how to choose the right one for your needs!
Don’t worry if you’re still confused at the end of this guide because MemoryCherish does more than just restore old photographs. All of our restoration clients receive studio-quality photo printing from us!
Why Is It Important to Choose the Correct Image Size?
It may not appear to make much of a difference, but picking the right print size is essential to printing your photo.
Here are four major reasons why.
Image Resolution
The print size you choose will affect the overall quality of your image. The most common reason for this is that different photo sizes will suit different resolutions.
An image’s resolution is its number of pixels per inch, and it’s what determines the quality of the image. The higher the resolution, the better the image quality. If you choose a large print size that is too big for its picture resolution, your photo will have too little detail per inch and appear stretched out and distorted.
So, when you’re choosing a print size, you want to make sure that you choose one that has a high enough resolution for the print that you want.
What You Need The Photo For
Another factor to consider when choosing an image size is what you’re going to be using the photo for. Are you putting it in a locket or photo album? Are you hanging it on a gallery wall? Or are you uploading it online?
If you’re going to be hanging it on your wall, you’ll want to choose a larger print size so that it’s more of a focal point. But if you’re just putting it in an album, a smaller size will suffice.
When it comes to web design, image sizes may also impact page speed. If your original picture is larger than the space it takes up on a website, it will scale down to fit. Your browser, on the other hand, will still need to download the original image. Therefore, you can improve the site’s performance and user experience by resizing photos to fit the intended area.
Aspect Ratio
Aspect ratio is the proportional relationship between an image’s width to its height. It’s typically expressed as two numbers separated by a colon, such as 16:9 or 4:3. The first number represents the width, while the second number represents the height. Common aspect ratio sizes are 16:9, 1:1, 3:2, and 4:3.
When it comes to choosing print sizes, the aspect ratio is important to consider because it will determine whether or not your image will come out in full frame.
If you print a 16:9 image on 16:9 paper, the image will be full-frame. However, if you print a 4:3 image on a 1:1 paper, the resulting image will not fill up the frame or end up slightly cropped to accommodate the difference in ratio between the original image and the print.
Your Viewer
You should also consider the perspective of your viewer. You need to know if your chosen size allows them to absorb all the detail in your print.
What Are The Standard Photo Print Sizes?
Before you print your picture, you need to know the best photo print sizes for specific types of photos. Most printing labs have several print options to choose from.
The most common standard image sizes are:
4 x 6 inches
This is one of the more popular standard photo sizes for prints and is great for small photos and enlargements. It is commonly used for portraits, school photos, passport photographs, and even most framed photographs. If you use this ratio, you typically won’t have to cut anything out of your photograph.
5 x 7 inches
This is also a common size for professional prints. If you order this size, your photograph will need to be cropped slightly to fit the dimensions while printing. A 3.5:2.5 ratio on your digital camera will produce the best final print for a photo this big.
8 x 10 inches
This is a great size for enlargements and framing. It is often referred to as “the largest of the small aspect ratios” and a lot of people choose to frame this size because it’s not too big or small. If you use this ratio, your photograph will need to be cropped slightly to fit the dimensions.
11 x 14 inches
This size is perfect for enlargements and framing. It’s large enough to make a statement, but not so big that it will overwhelm your space.
12 x 18 inches
This photo size is great for wall art, home decor, large posters, and art prints.
16 x 20 inches
This is also a suitable size for printing images used for wall decor and large posters.
18 x 24
You’ll need a picture that is 5400 x 7200 pixels for a print this large. You should also use an aspect ratio of 3:4 while taking the photo.
24 x 36
For a really big print, choose a digital image size of 7200 x 10800 pixels for the best quality. When creating a picture this size, use an aspect ratio of 3:2.
Other Popular Sizes
There are other common sizes for various social media platforms. Here are some of them:
Facebook & Instagram Stories
Instagram stories have a 9:16 vertical ratio. If you’re using phone cameras, you’ll need to take pictures in portrait orientation to preserve all the important details.
Instagram Posts
A standard aspect ratio of 1:1 is perfect for Instagram posts.
Twitter Posts
The recommended size for Twitter posts is 12:5.
Pinterest Pins
There is no standard size for Pinterest pins as you can adjust the aspect ratio however you like
LinkedIn Background Image
An aspect ratio of 4:1 is the standard definition for your LinkedIn background image.
Other Things To Consider
Besides knowing the standard print sizes, you need to consider a few more things before printing your picture.
Print Quality
The quality of your print material compared to the image size also affects how your printed image comes out. For example, if you want a smooth, glossy look for your photo prints, you should use high-quality paper. However, if you want to print large-sized lower resolution prints, you should go for textured or rougher material like stationary paper.
Printer
You should take into account your printer’s settings. If you want to get the most accurate print size, make sure that your printer is set to “actual size” or 100%. This setting ensures that what you see on your screen is what you will get on paper.
Also, your home printer might have some limitations on the size it can print, so you’ll either have to adjust or print it elsewhere.
Frame Size
If you plan on framing your prints, keep in mind the frame’s border width. For example, if you want a 16” x 20” photo with a 0.75” border, you should actually order a 17.75” x 21.75” print. This will give you enough room to properly frame your photo without cropping it.
You can now use photo editing software such as Photoshop to change your photo to the size that works best for you.
Let Us Sharpen And Print Your Picture!
Let’s be honest. Choosing the best print sizes for your photo prints can be tricky. Also, before you use editing tools, you need to learn some complex features to properly adjust your photo without ruining your image quality.
That’s where we come in place!
We are MemoryCherish, the #1 photograph restoration company nationwide. With a little description, we can sharpen your photos, back to life, exactly how you imagined them.
We even go further by resizing them to fit your exact need. We also offer nationwide delivery of your printed images!
With just a few clicks, you can get your old photos back as framed photos.
How Do We Fix Your Picture?
Our restoration artists will closely examine your blurred image, remove stains, mold, blur, refine and add more detail and color to each photo.
We won’t stop until your photos are in the best condition. We can handle any damage on any photo!
Our commitment to producing stellar quality restoration has even landed us on news reports by ABC, NBC, and FOX news.
What Do You Need To Do?
You need to carefully scan this photograph.
Then, you upload it and pick your restoration options.
You place your order, and that’s it.
How Long Does It Take?
We would restore and send a digital copy of your sharpened image back to you by email within 24 hours. If there is anything you would like us to change on your restored image, revisions are allowed on every restoration, completely free!
Can I Contact Someone For More Information?
Our customer support is available 24/7 to answer any further questions. You can send us an email at: support@memorycherish.com.
In A Nutshell…
There are lots of print sizes best suited for different uses. So, what’s the best print size for your photos? Well, that depends on a few things. But don’t worry – we can help!
We will examine the printing options and choose the right size for your photos and even sharpen them up. Ready to see how your favorite snapshots will look as beautiful prints?
