Check an image before sending it to print
Before printing, verify effective PPI, crop or borders, bleed, orientation, safe edges, colour expectations, and the final exported dimensions.
Check your own imageA quick preflight catches the expensive mistakes that are hard to see from a filename or a DPI label alone. Check the actual pixels against the final physical size.
Then review composition and production settings as a whole. The printer’s written specification should override general defaults whenever the two differ.
Check resolution and final size
Confirm the final width and height first, then calculate effective PPI from the image’s true pixel dimensions. Resaving a small file at 300 DPI does not create detail.
Inspect the image at 100% for compression, blur, noise, and sharpening halos. If resolution is low, reduce the print size or use a better source file.
- Correct finished dimensions and orientation
- Enough effective PPI for viewing distance
- No unexpected upscaling or compression damage
Review crop, bleed, and safe edges
Preview the selected paper ratio and choose crop or border deliberately. Make sure no face, type, frame, or signature falls outside the kept area.
When artwork reaches the edge, extend it through the requested bleed and keep important content inside the safe zone. Verify whether bleed is included in the export size.
Export and proof the final file
Use the file format, colour profile, and compression settings requested by the printer. Embed fonts or outline them only when the production workflow calls for it.
Open the exported file again and check dimensions, orientation, page count, and visible edges. For costly or colour-critical work, order a physical proof before the full run.
Check your own image
Enter pixels or choose an image. The file stays in your browser.
Effective resolution: 345 PPI · A4
Print preflight
Includes bleed
- Resolution
- Ready to print at this setting
- Framing
- Crop required
Maximum recommended print size
256 × 341 mm · 10.1 × 13.4 in
Pixels required for this target
2480 × 3508 px
Aspect ratio and crop
Left and right edges will be cropped · 5.72%
Production setup
216 × 303 mm · 2551 × 3579 px
Common size comparison
| Size | PPI | Status |
|---|---|---|
| A5 | 488 | Meets target |
| A4 | 345 | Meets target |
| A3 | 244 | Usable |
| US Letter | 356 | Meets target |
| 4 × 6 in | 672 | Meets target |
| 5 × 7 in | 576 | Meets target |
| 8 × 10 in | 378 | Meets target |
● All calculations stay in your browser
Frequently asked questions
What should I check before printing an image?
Before printing an image, check final size, effective PPI, crop or borders, bleed, safe edges, colour settings, and exported dimensions.
Does every print need bleed?
Not every print needs bleed. Add it when colour or an image must reach a trimmed edge, following the printer’s specification.
Why should I order a proof?
A proof reveals real-world colour, crop, scale, and paper behaviour before you commit to a full print run.