You've probably noticed that, as you print a picture bigger and bigger, the larger prints sometimes start to
look "blocky." In this article, we'll explain why and give you some simple tips to help you get great prints
at any size.
When should I start thinking about what size I want to print my photos?
The best time to start thinking about your intentions for your photos is before you shoot them.
The megapixel (MP) setting is the most important setting on your camera determining your maximum print size.
Keep reading to find out more.
Pixels are the little individual squares that make up a digital photo--each with its own color and brightness.
A megapixel is equal to one million pixels. The more pixels there are in a square inch, the higher the resolution
of the photo. A 1 MP camera is capable of a maximum of one million pixels per square inch. A 2MP camera can capture
two million pixels per square inch... and so on.
The size of the photo you can print is most closely related to the MP setting on your camera. (Some cameras refer
to the megapixel setting as "resolution.") The more megapixels you capture when you shoot a picture, the bigger
the print you can make without getting that "blocky" look.
It's a good idea to have your camera set at a much higher MP setting than you think you need. For instance, even
if you are a person who always prints 4" x 6" photos, you might shoot a picture with a detail you especially love.
If your camera is set for more than the minimum amount of megapixels necessary for a 4" x 6", you can crop and
enlarge the photo to make a new photo of the detail without noticing any loss of quality in your print.
What image quality setting on my camera will produce the best prints?
Consult your camera's manual on how to set MP levels.
The chart below is a guide to the largest print sizes you can make with various MP settings using your HP digital camera. Recommended print size for default (**)compression
Will taking high resolution photos fill up my memory card?
The guide below can help you plan how much memory you'll need to have on hand when shooting at your camera's highest
resolution. Camera and memory card capacities seem to be growing all the time, so use this information as a starting
point to estimate your needs.
The print sizes you can make on your printer are limited by the sizes of paper your printer can handle. HP makes
printers to suit a wide variety of photographers' needs:
Compact photo printers
All compact HP photo printers
are capable of printing borderless 4" x 6", 4" x 8", and 4" x 12" panoramic photos. Some compact photo printers
also print 5" x 7".
Desktop photo printers and All-in-Ones
HP photo inkjet printers
and All-in-Ones
are capable of printing the same sizes as the compacts, but can also print even larger photos and handle your other
document printing needs with ease.
It's important to make sure you're printing at the right quality settings to ensure that all the digital information
you've carefully captured for your chosen print size ends up on the paper.
For most photos, "Best" is the print quality that will ensure long-lasting, lab-quality prints. However, for
wallet-size prints, the "Normal" setting is sufficient. Refer to your printer's manual to learn how to change
print quality settings.
Get more simple tips for getting perfect prints at home.
If you don't want your print sizes limited by your printer's abilities, try using
Snapfish,
the online photo printing service that can not only deliver prints up to 20"x30", but also can wrap your photos
around everything from mugs to pet collars.
As you place an order, Snapfish gives you the choice of print sizes that will give you the best print resolution
for each of the photos you've uploaded.
Take a free online class
in digital photography! Explore the many features of your digital camera, find tips for cropping and editing your
images, and discover new ideas for sharing your photos in creative ways.
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