What image resolution do I need for sharp text on A1 and 2A0 prints?
Asked 3/13/2018
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I’m creating a Photoshop design that will be printed at two sizes: A1 and 2A0. It will contain many names, with the smallest text about 5 mm high on the A1 print and about 2 cm high on the 2A0 print. The A1 version should look crisp when viewed from roughly 50 cm, and the 2A0 version will usually be viewed from about 1 meter away.
What pixel dimensions or resolution should I use for the Photoshop document so the text prints with adequate sharpness at those viewing distances?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
8y ago
2 Answers
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On average, young people can distinguish about 10 pixels/mm @ 30 cm. So for an optimal result viewed at 30 cm, on A1 (594×841 mm) you'd need a final image of 5940×8410 pixels.
As the A1 will be watched from 50 cm, your required image size would go down by a factor of 3/5, which gives an image size of 3564×5046 pixels.
The same size in pixels will work for the 2A0: you multiply each side by 2, and double the viewing distance.
Originally by user72870. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user72870
8y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
A practical rule of thumb from the community answer is that good human vision resolves about 10 pixels/mm at 30 cm. If the print is viewed farther away, the required pixel density scales down proportionally.
For A1 viewed at 50 cm, that becomes about 6 pixels/mm (10 × 30/50). Applied to A1 size (594 × 841 mm), you’d want roughly:
- 594 × 6 ≈ 3564 px
- 841 × 6 ≈ 5046 px
So a Photoshop document around 3564 × 5046 pixels should be sufficient for a crisp A1 print at 50 cm viewing distance.
For 2A0, each side is doubled, but the viewing distance also doubles to about 1 meter. Those factors cancel out, so the same pixel dimensions are considered adequate for similar perceived sharpness.
In short: aim for about 3564 × 5046 pixels minimum, and use vector text/shapes where possible in Photoshop for the cleanest printed names.
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