Print Sizing Basics

An image file doesn't truly "have" inches. It has pixels (like 4000x6000). "Inches" only appear when you combine pixels with a DPI number:

So the same file can "claim" very different sizes depending on the DPI tag:

• 4000 px at 72 DPI -> ~55.6 inches
• 4000 px at 300 DPI -> ~13.3 inches

That's why people get confused. The DPI value can be changed without changing the real detail. Pixels are the truth.

What is DPI and why does 300 DPI matter?

DPI = dots per inch. It's how densely a printer places ink.

Common rules of thumb:

• 300 DPI: crisp, professional prints (best for Etsy downloads)
• 240 DPI: usually still good for most wall art
• 150-200 DPI: can look fine at a distance, but softer up close
• <150 DPI: typically looks blurry for print buyers

We show everything "at 300 DPI" because that's the standard buyers expect.

Quick "can my image print big enough?" test

If you know your pixel dimensions, you can estimate the max sharp print size:

Max inches at 300 DPI

• width inches = width pixels / 300
• height inches = height pixels / 300

Example:

3744x5616 px

• 3744/300 = 12.48 in
• 5616/300 = 18.72 in

So it's realistically sharp up to about 12.5x18.7 inches at 300 DPI.

Two different things people mix up: ratio vs size

1) Ratios (2:3, 3:4, 4:5, 5:7, 11:14)

A ratio describes the shape of the image.

It does not guarantee a print size.

If you export a 2:3 ratio file, it can print at many sizes that share that shape (4x6, 8x12, 12x18, etc.) depending on the pixels available.

Our approach (ratios):

• Crops to the selected ratio
• Exports at the largest possible pixel dimensions
• Never upscales by default
• Tags the file at 300 DPI

This gives the highest quality file your upload can support.

2) ISO (A-series: A5, A4, A3, A2, A1)

A-sizes are real paper sizes with a fixed proportion (sqrt(2)). They are used by printers worldwide.

At 300 DPI, the pixel targets are:

Our approach (ISO):

• Finds the largest A size your image can support at 300 DPI (based on pixels)
• Exports that as the ISO "master"
• Smaller A sizes are automatically covered (because they're smaller)
• If you want larger sizes than your pixels allow, you can optionally enhance (upscale) - but that's always a quality tradeoff.

Common marketplace print sizes & how they map to ratios

These are the most common "digital download" shapes buyers expect.

Important: A "2:3 file" isn't automatically print-ready for 20x30 - it depends on whether the file has enough pixels.

Why cropping affects print size

Cropping changes how many pixels remain.

If you zoom in a lot, you're using a smaller portion of the original image. That means fewer pixels -> smaller maximum print size at 300 DPI.

We keep you informed by showing:

• export pixels
• max print size @300 DPI
• warnings when a selected format is too large for the available pixels

What "Enhanced (Upscaled)" means

Upscaling means generating extra pixels to hit larger print sizes.

It can help sellers offer "full bundles," but it cannot create true detail that wasn't there. Results vary:

• often fine at normal viewing distance
• softer up close, especially for faces and fine text

We keep this optional and clearly labelled to prevent surprises.

Practical advice for sellers

• Start with the highest-resolution file you can.
• Use ratio exports for flexible size bundles.
• Use ISO for A-series print buyers.
• If your original is small, you can still sell smaller sizes confidently.
• Only enhance for larger sizes if you're comfortable with the tradeoff.