The short answer
A photo straight from any recent smartphone camera roll will print sharply at our Standard size (21x31cm, or 8.3x12.2in, print), and usually much bigger. A photo that has been sent to you on WhatsApp or saved from social media usually won't.
How many pixels do you need?
We print at a minimum of 200 dots per inch, which is sharp at normal viewing distance. That works out at these pixel sizes, shortest side by longest side:
| Size | Pixels needed | |
|---|---|---|
| Classic | 11x21cm (4.3x8.3in) | 866 x 1,654 |
| Keepsake | 15x21cm (5.9x8.3in) | 1,181 x 1,654 |
| Standard | 21x31cm (8.3x12.2in) | 1,654 x 2,441 |
| Statement | 31x41cm (12.2x16.1in) | 2,441 x 3,228 |
| Gallery | 41x51cm (16.1x20.1in) | 3,228 x 4,016 |
| Exhibition | 51x71cm (20.1x28in) | 4,016 x 5,591 |
What that means for your phone
- A 12 megapixel photo (4,032 x 3,024 pixels, standard on most iPhones until recently and many Android phones) prints sharply up to Statement.
- A 24 megapixel photo (5,712 x 4,284 pixels, the default on recent iPhones) prints sharply at every size, up to Exhibition.
- A photo sent on WhatsApp at standard quality is usually around 1,600 pixels on its longest side. That is too small for even our smallest size.
You don't need to work any of this out. When you upload a photo, our frame builder only offers the sizes it will print sharply at.
How to find the original
- If you took it: upload it straight from your camera roll, not from a chat or an album someone shared.
- If someone sent it to you: ask them to send the original by email, AirDrop or a shared iCloud or Google Photos link. These keep the full size.
- On iPhone, check the size: open the photo in Photos and swipe up, or tap the (i). The pixel size is shown under the camera details.
- Old printed photos: scan them, or photograph them flat in daylight with your phone, filling the screen. Avoid glare by shooting at a slight angle.
Does cropping matter?
Yes. Cropping throws pixels away. If you crop a 12 megapixel photo down to half its width, it now prints sharply at about half the size. Crop in our builder rather than in another app, and it will tell you the sizes that still work.
What about Live Photos, Portrait mode and screenshots?
Live Photos and Portrait mode photos print the same as normal photos. Screenshots are only as big as your screen, so they print small and soft. Use the original photo instead.
Upload a photo and see which sizes it suits. For help choosing, read What size frame do I need?
