Resolution Information

Resolution for large format printing is critical to a professional looking print. When printing large format photos you need to start with a photo image that is much larger than normal. We can use some photos from a commercial camera but the size we can enlarge it to may be limited. Software can be used to enhance the photo and there are other tricks we can use to make it look better than it really is but it still decides how big you can go.

If you want a photo 4 feet by 4 feet you are enlarging it almost 20 times the size of a normal letter sized sheet. This requires 20 times the memory 20 times the ink and 20 times the material to print. It also requires you to use an original photo that is 20 times the resolution if you want it to be as clear as a letter sized print. This should help you understand resolution a little better.

When sending us images to print for we can accept Eps and Tif files uncompressed, Jpg's and Gif's and most other file types. We can also print and cut graphics from CorelDraw and Illustrator for designers. You can email us for our server address to upload the files to.

To change the size or shape of a photo you need to retain the aspect ratio ( x & y ) to avoid a stretched appearance. A photo can be cropped to change the shape from a square to a rectangle or visa versa. Each time you crop a photo you remove pixels and resolution.

Enlarged Photos

Wall Coverings

Floor Graphics

Photos used for wall murals must be taken with at least a 5 megapixel camera for small murals. A 10 megapixel 35 millmeter camera will work better and a 21 megapixel camera will be more than enough to enlarge up to 40 feet.

Below are samples of the difference between a high resolution photo and a low resolution photo.

This print used a 6000 pixel TIF file that was 50 megabytes in size and printed at 1440 dots per inch. The image was blown up to 72 inches x 53 inches.

This what it looks like zoomed into the blue center of the image.

This print used a 3000 pixel TIF file that was 15 megabytes in size and printed at 720 dots per inch at only 25 inches wide. You will notice the detail is much less even when printed at more than half the size.

You will see the smoke trails much better in the higher resolution photos and see more detail when printed at a higher resolution. These zoomed photos are as if you were standing 1 foot away looking at the print.

The farther you stand back from an image the less the resolution matters. Your eyes adjust and do not recognize the higher detail. So if a billboard is 20 feet high in the air the 720 DPI print will work ok even with a low resolution photo.

But if the image is mounted in a hallway, office or board room you should use the 1440 DPI settings and the highest resolution photo you can.