Pixels are the native unit of measurement for digital image files. In order to print at any given size, it is important to know that you have a sufficient amount of pixels. Not enough, and your image could be fuzzy or pixelated. This guide shows the ideal amount of pixels needed for high resolution Giclée printing. More is good, but overkill. Not enough, and you should consider printing at a size equal to the amount of pixels your file has. There is quite a bit of wiggle room, but you should be within the ballpark of these figures. Try using the formula below to calculate your own images.

** PPI (pixels per square inch) is a measurement of resolution. 300ppi means that you have 300 pixels in every square inch of your digital image. This is the standard resolution for giclée printing.

Magic Formula:
Inches = Pixels / 300
Pixels = Inches x 300

6” x 8” - 1800 x 2400 pixels

8” x 10” - 2400 x 3000 pixels

8” x 12” - 2400 x 3600 pixels

9” x 12” - 2700 x 3600 pixels

12” x 12” - 3600 x 3600 pixels

11” x 14” - 3300 x 4200 pixels

11” x 15” - 3300 x 4500 pixels

11” x 17” - 3300 x 5100 pixels

12” x 15” - 3600 x 4500 pixels

12” x 16” - 3600 x 4800 pixels

12” x 18” - 3600 x 5400 pixels

16” x 20” - 4800 x 6000 pixels

16” x 24” - 4800 x 7200 pixels

18” x 24” - 5400 x 7200 pixels

20” x 24” - 6000 x 7200 pixels

20” x 30” - 6000 x 9000 pixels

24” x 30” - 7200 x 9000 pixels

22" x 28" - 6600 x 8400 pixels

22" x 34" - 6600 x 10200 pixels

24” x 36” - 7200 x 10800 pixels

Image Ratios


Here are some common image dimension ratios and the corresponding standard size prints available:

1/1 : (12”x12”)

2/3 : (8”x12”), (12”x18”), (20”x30”), (24”x36”)

3/4 : (6”x8”), (9”x12”), (12”x 16”), (18”x24”)

4/5 : (8”x10”), (16”x20”), (24”x30”)

11/14 : (11”x14”), (22”x28”)

11/17 : (11”x17”) (22”x34”)