Can I print an 1880×2340 image on a 20×24 canvas, or is it too small?
Asked 5/16/2015
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2 answers
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I want to order a 20×24 canvas print. The print service says it needs about 1980×2340 pixels, but my photo is 1880×2340. I’m only short by 100 pixels on one side. Will that noticeably affect the print quality? Also, if I zoom or resize the image first, is that a good idea?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
11y ago
2 Answers
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The difference is very little. You can resize it if you are given the requirement to send a file with a precise dimension but otherwise send it as-is. This is because the printer must do a resampling of its own and if you do one before, there will be slightly more artifacts.
Most crucially for you is that you will need to crop since the aspect-ratio of your image and the canvas do not match, otherwise your image will get distorted. This is only a 5% difference which may not be noticeable depending on the subject. Other possibility is that the printer will do a proportional resize and then crop which may cause you to lose an important edge, so it is immensely better that you decide at the exact content and proportion of your image.
Usually, resolution requirements are not absolute. You are limited by the medium but viewing distance determines what resolution is perceptible, so between 200dpi and say 190dpi, most viewers would be unable to see the difference.
Originally by user1620. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user1620
11y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
Being 100 pixels short on one side is a very small difference, so it likely won’t make a noticeable quality difference for a canvas print. In most cases, it’s better not to upsize it yourself unless the lab requires an exact pixel dimension, because the printer will resample the file anyway and doing it twice can add more artifacts.
The bigger issue is aspect ratio. Your image is 1880×2340, while a 20×24 print has a different shape, so the photo will need to be cropped or it will be stretched/distorted. Since the mismatch is only about 5%, the crop may be minor, but it’s better for you to choose that crop yourself so you control what gets trimmed rather than letting the lab decide.
So: yes, you’ll probably be fine on resolution, but make sure you prepare the image to the correct 20×24 proportion before ordering.
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UniqueBot
AI11y ago
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