Expert fine art printing techniques have the ability to translate images with precision, capturing every detail clearly from screen to print. At the heart of the printing process is resolution, the key factor that ensures every detail is accurately reproduced in your print.

This is especially true when enlarging images for large format print sizes, as the larger the image, the more apparent the flaws.

You’ve probably seen an awe-inspiring photo stretched across a wall–sharp, vivid, and mesmerizing. In your own attempts to recreate this, your large prints may have turned out blurry and pixelated. This is usually a result of low print resolution.

To ensure your artistic vision is preserved in large prints, understanding image and print resolution is crucial before you hit ‘print.’

This article will help you create stunning large format prints by explaining:

  • The Importance of Viewing Distance for Large Format Prints
  • PPI, DPI, and Resolution
  • How to Calculate the Ideal Print Size
  • Tips for Printing Large Photos
large format wall print

Why Viewing Distance Matters for Large Size Printing

Based on what you’ve read so far, you may think that you need to amp up the resolution of your images for large format print sizes.

Hold on! The ideal resolution for printing large prints depends on various factors.

  • Viewing distance – The distance or space between the viewer and the image.
  • Intent behind the artwork – How you want people to perceive your photograph or artwork.
  • Level of detail required – How much of the finer details do you want to be visible.

Keep in mind that perceived resolution is an important concept in large prints. It refers to how detailed and sharp an image appears to the viewer and is influenced by the actual resolution of the image as well as the viewing distance.

The further away your print is, the lower its resolution can and should be.

If your print is going to be far from the viewer—for example, a billboard—then you can get away with a low print resolution. This is because the human brain has the remarkable ability to fill in the details.

On the other hand, large artwork in a gallery or museum is meant to be viewed up close, requiring a higher print resolution to capture the creator’s intended detail.

To make things easier, here’s a calculator that can help you determine the ideal large format print resolution based on your viewing distance.

Sharp and pixelated

PPI, DPI, and Resolution: Demystifying Large Format Print Resolution

You’re aware of PPI, DPI, and resolution, but do you fully understand their differences? Knowing the nuances is essential when preparing for large format print sizes.

PPI (Pixels Per Inch)

This metric measures the number of pixels within a square inch of an image. Hence, PPI refers to digital resolution. Every image on a screen or digital medium is made up of millions of tiny pixels, each containing a color value. When combined, these pixels form the complete image you see.

So the higher the density of these pixels, the clearer and more detailed an image. 

We talk about PPI when we refer to digital images, way before it goes for printing. However, PPI has a huge impact on your final large format print. Lower PPI leads to large, block-like pixels on screen and on the print.

72 PPI is recommended for digital media and 300 PPI for print media.

For high quality prints, it is recommended that the digital images be at least 300 PPI.

However, for large format prints, this can be much lower—especially when considering the viewing distance!

You should be aware that you cannot change the resolution of a pre-existing image. If you’ve taken a low-resolution image, you cannot increase the resolution by saving it at a higher PPI. Keep this in mind when you are taking photographs or designing images on software like Photoshop.

DPI (Dots Per Inch)

It’s DPI that we’re referring to when we talk about print resolution. DPI measures the number of ink dots that a printer can make within an inch on a print medium. 

DPI is not an attribute of the digital image being printed; it’s an attribute of the printer and the final print. Remember, while DPI doesn’t affect PPI, the reverse is true—PPI determines the resolution and quality of the digital image, which in turn impacts the print.

For smaller prints, a DPI of 300 is ideal, but the required DPI for large format printing can drop to as low as 100 DPI. You can go even lower (around 10 DPI) for billboards.

At ArtisanHD, we recommend at least 125 DPI for large format prints to ensure the best results.

PPI vs DPI

Resolution

When it comes to cameras and smartphones, resolution is often measured in MP (Megapixels), which refers to the total pixel count of the image. For example, a 12 MP camera produces an image with 12 million pixels.

For a 4000 x 3000 pixel image, the total resolution would be 12,000,000 pixels (12 MP).

Keep in mind, while MP tells you the digital resolution, it doesn’t directly determine print quality—that depends on factors like PPI and DPI.

How to Calculate the Ideal Print Size

Let’s assume you have an image that is 3000 x 2400 pixels (7.2 MP) and you want to keep the DPI at 125 like we’re recommended. To calculate the print size, divide the width and height by 125.

So the largest print width will be 3000/125 = 24 inches and the largest print height will be 2400/125 = 19.2 inches.

We have a handy reference chart for you to look at:

MP and Print Size Table (8 x 2 in)

Practical Tips for Printing Large Photos

  1. Use high-resolution files and careful editing to smooth gradients, avoid pixel noise, and prevent halos at transition points like horizon lines.
  2. Zoom into common problem areas, like gradients and transition points, to spot and address defects before printing.
  3. Try software tools to improve print resolution—these won’t add new pixels but can smooth out existing details for better print quality.
  4. Photos need to be saved as raster image files for printing. We recommend TIFF as one of the best formats for large prints.
  5. Aim for lossless compression to retain quality while balancing file size and resolution effectively.
Large format print

Achieve Stunning Large Format Print Resolution with ArtisanHD!

Balancing print size, resolution, and viewing distance is the art of creating stunning large prints. At ArtisanHD, we know that achieving the perfect large format print requires careful attention to these factors.

Our configurator helps you check if your files meet print standards. If you’re unsure about PPI or image quality, our print experts are here to assist. Call (480) 245-4912 or email Support@ArtisanHD.com for personalized support.