This is a 4×5″ image at 300 pixels per inch. In other words, 1200 x 1500 pixels. If you click on the image, you will see how large a 1/4 page magazine photo looks in a web browser.
These tips can help you avoid delays and quality problems in print publications.
High Res means High Resolution. Basically, resolution is the density of the pixels in a digital image. The more pixels, the higher the definition of the photo.
Common resolution needs:
- Web and monitors: Roughly 100 ppi at display size. (72 to 96)
- Newspapers: 200 ppi at ACTUAL SIZE*
- Magazines, brochures, etc.: 300 ppi at ACTUAL SIZE*
- Large format displays (such as billboards): 100 ppi at ACTUAL SIZE*
For printed publications, always use the highest resolution (biggest) original file possible. You can tell higher resolution images by their bigger file sizes. Any image file less than 1MB will probably not be much use for high quality printing (unless it’s going to be very tiny). Don’t try to scale or touch up a low res photo. Send it to your designer for evaluation and they’ll be able to tell you if it’s useable.
Common file sizes for jpgs:
- A small head shot (1.5 x 1.75″) needs to be at least 450 x 525 pixels.
If your file size is less than about 850K, it may not be big enough. - A 4×6 photo (1/4 page) needs tobe at least 1200 x 1800 pixels.
If your file size is less than 2MB, it may not be big enough. - A full magazine page (10×12″) needs tobe at least 3000 x 3600 pixels.
If your file size is less than 6-7MB, it may not be big enough.
Don’t crop your photo—designers like to have cropping options. However, keep in mind that if you send a photo for a head shot, you don’t get to count the background as part of its size. If the person’s head only takes up 1/3 of your jpg, your jpg would need to be 3 times bigger than the guidelines above. (Get it?)
For a 1.5″ x 1.75″ mugshot at 300 dpi, you need at least 450 x 525 pixels. Your minimum jpg file size will be about 800K
This picture may be 1.5 x 1.75″ at 300 dpi, but her face is only .5″ x .5″, so it’s too small.
- Take a new photo using your camera’s highest setting.
(2 megapixel or up is OK for a 1/4 page photo, unless it’s a poor quality camera.) - If it’s a head shot, DO get the person’s full head and torso.
- Try to use a plain background without a lot of distracting elements.
- DO NOT include extra people, puppies, horses, props, hats, sunglasses, etc.
- Try to use natural light (not a flash). Shoot in indirect light, such as outside on a cloudy day or out of the bright sun, or inside near a big window (but not in front of it). (The photographer’s back or side should be to the window.) If you notice the subject is squinting, or there are shadows or mottling across their face, find a better spot.
Designers: To figure if an image is high enough quality for a given use, divide the actual pixel width and height (found under Image Size in Photoshop) by the ppi needed.
- For example, your image is 3000 pixels wide and you want to print it in a magazine.
- You need 300 pixels per inch for quality magazine printing.
- Divide 3000 (actual pixels) by 300 (ppi needed) = 10″. That’s your limit.
- The 3000px image will look OK if printed up to 10” wide in a magazine.
(Of course you can fudge 10% or so…) - Had you needed a 20” photo at 300ppi, this image wouldn’t be big enough.
Don’t take low resolution photos! You can easily downsize images for the web, but you can never upsize a photo if you want to use it in print.
