Start here.
Check the pixel size after you crop. A 16 × 20 print at 300 pixels per inch needs 4,800 × 6,000 pixels. At 240 pixels per inch, it needs 3,840 × 4,800. Ask your print lab which target suits the paper and viewing distance.
Your three next steps
- Choose the print size and check the crop.
- Compare the cropped file’s pixels with your lab’s target.
- Check fine detail and order a small test print if needed.
In this lesson
Start with the shape
A 16 × 20 print has a 4:5 shape. Many camera files have a different shape. You may need to crop off part of the photo to fill the paper.
Check hands, hair, feet and props before you crop. Leave room for a frame or wrapped canvas edge. Ask the lab how much space it needs. Do not wait until checkout to find that the crop cuts off a hand.
Count pixels, not just file size
A large file in megabytes is not a promise of a sharp print. Look at its width and height in pixels. Pixels are the small pieces that form the image.
To find pixels per inch, divide the pixel count by the print size in inches. A file that is 4,000 × 5,000 pixels gives 250 pixels per inch at 16 × 20. That may be useful for a print; confirm with your lab.
| Print size | At 240 pixels per inch | At 300 pixels per inch |
|---|---|---|
| 8 × 10 in | 1,920 × 2,400 px | 2,400 × 3,000 px |
| 16 × 20 in | 3,840 × 4,800 px | 4,800 × 6,000 px |
| 20 × 30 in | 4,800 × 7,200 px | 6,000 × 9,000 px |
Finish the edit before you enlarge
Choose the crop, correct light and color, and finish the retouch first. Then enlarge if the output needs it. Check sharpening at the final size.
Changing only the “300 PPI” label does not add detail. Resampling adds or removes pixels. Enlargement tools can make more pixels, but some fine detail may be guessed. They cannot prove what a blurred eye or tiny pattern looked like.
Look closely at the result
Check eyes, lashes, teeth, hair and fabric at 100%. Look for odd edges or details that were not in the source. Also view the photo at a normal size.
An enlarged file can still look poor if the source was out of focus or heavily blurred. A smaller print may be the better choice. A test print helps you judge the real result on the paper you plan to use.
Tell us how you will use it
Include the print size in your finishing brief. Say whether the photo is for a desk, wall, album or screen. The crop and output plan can then match the job.
Paid enlargement is a separate option when available. Check the listed pixel size and price before ordering. Physical prints, frames and shipping are separate from a digital edit unless your quote says otherwise.
Remember this
Choose the crop first. Check pixels next. Judge the actual result before you print.
Make a file for the print you want.
Start with a free assessment and include your target print size in the instructions.
Plan my portrait finish →Sources & further reading
These are original lessons with our own examples. The links below explain the related principles.
Published by DNA Premium Portraits with AI assistance. This lesson is educational; a suggested setting is not a tested result for your exact setup.