Print workflow

Image Resolution & Print Size

Check PPI, pixels, megapixels, aspect ratio and whether artwork has enough resolution for its intended print size.

28 working tools13 supporting guides
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Choose the outcome you need

Begin with one of the strongest workflows. The complete specialist library is still available when you need it.

Decision path

Start with the question you actually need to answer

1
Check an existing image

Use the file dimensions and intended physical size to see the effective PPI before printing.

2
Convert physical size to pixels

Choose print PPI for raster artwork, or Web/CSS mode when the conversion is for layout rather than print.

3
Preserve proportions

Reduce the ratio and calculate proportional dimensions before resizing or cropping.

4
Plan a photo print

Compare crop loss and effective PPI for standard photo sizes using your own image locally in the browser.

PPI, pixels and physical print size are different things

Pixel dimensions describe the raster file. PPI describes how densely those pixels are placed at a chosen physical size. Changing only the PPI metadata does not create new source detail; the important relationship is pixels divided by final inches.

Pixels ÷ inches= effective PPI
Inches × target PPI= required pixels
Pixels ÷ target PPI= print inches
Learn the decision

Common questions and production problems