What pixel dimensions do I need for a 32×18 inch poster at 300 dpi, and which file format is best?
Asked 3/4/2012
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I want to print a poster at 32×18 inches (about 80×45 cm) and the printer asked for 300 dpi. What pixel dimensions should the image be? Also, is 300 dpi really necessary for a poster, and what file format should I supply?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
14y ago
2 Answers
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The straightforward answer to your question is very simple arithmetic: 32×300 = 9600 and 18×300 = 5400, so 32 inches by 18 inches at 300 dots per inch is 9600 by 5400.
However, it gets a little more complicated when you consider a more complicated relationship between pixels and colored dots in your output medium. For details on this, take a look at jrista's answer to a similar question: What DPI should I resize my image to for best printing quality?, at What does DPI mean?, and at Is there a general formula for image size vs. print size?
Also consider that 300dpi may be overkill for a poster, unless you expect your viewers to come right up to it and look closely. A much lower resolution will look great from a few feet away.
It sounds like you're doing something specific, though. In that case, the best answer is to ask your print service what they recommend — and the same thing goes for file format (and color space, a whole 'nuther can of worms).
If your print service offers multiple file types as an option, lossless TIFF or PNG will ensure that you don't introduce additional JPEG artifacts, but in practical terms you can get excellent results from a high-quality JPEG. (With high enough JPEG quality and no repeated edits, you probably will not be able to find experts who could tell the difference in a blind test.)
Originally by user1943. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user1943
14y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
At 300 dpi, a 32×18 inch print needs 9600×5400 pixels. That’s just print size in inches multiplied by the requested resolution: 32×300 = 9600 and 18×300 = 5400.
That said, 300 dpi can be more than necessary for a poster. Large prints are usually viewed from farther away, so a lower resolution often still looks excellent. If people will inspect it up close, 300 dpi is a safe target; if it will be seen from a few feet away, lower effective resolution may be fine.
As for file format, the best choice is usually whatever your print provider requests. In general, use a high-quality, non-lossy or minimally compressed format and avoid repeatedly saving as JPEG if you want to preserve maximum image quality.
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