Most smartphones have pretty robust cameras built in, and you might be surprised by how good the photos look printed. Here’s our handy guide to how big you can print iPhone photos for the best quality. We start with what you get straight from the phone and move into how you can work with that to make even bigger photos.
iPhone Photo Sizes
If you have an iPhone 6s, 6s Plus, 7, 7 Plus (12MP camera) your photo file size is 4,289 x 2,848 pixels.
Good Print Size: 28.59 x 18.99″ Better Print Size: 21.44 x 14.24” Best Print Size: 14.29 x 9.49″
If you have an iPhone 4S, 5, 5S, 6, 6 Plus (8MP camera) your photo file size is 3,264 x 2,448 pixels.
Good Print Size: 21.76 x 16.32″ Better Print Size: 16.32 x 12.24” Best Print Size: 10.88 x 8.16″
If you have an iPhone 4, iPad 3 and newer (5MP camera) your photo file size is 2,592 x 1,936 pixels.
Good Print Size: 17.28 x 12.9″ Better Print Size: 12.96 x 9.68″ Best Print Size: 8.64 x 6.45″
Print iPhone photos even bigger
Those are the basic sizes you can print photos directly from your phone, using the original (full size) image file. But it is possible to get your phone photos printed much larger, even up to the size of a wall mural spanning three feet.
Through photo editing and upsampling, you can safely enlarge the original files to look good at two to three times the size where the original photo maxes out. If you aren’t familiar with upsampling, a pre-press professional can do this for you.
Choosing a photo material: Canvas vs. Photo Print
For the most part the phone you are using determines how large you can print a photo, but the material you print on can also make an impact.
If you are increasing the size so much that you are starting to see noise, canvas can give photos that have a bit of noise a smoother look. Sometimes paper that has some texture to it can smooth out a photo too.
But it’s not all about size. Choosing a matte or glossy finish can also be a factor in getting the colors in your photo to look their best. A glossy surface will catch light and reflect it, which works very well with some photos but can detract from other photos that have a lot of dark colors. Take all of these into consideration when you decide how to print and display your photos.
How to Choose
Locate your focal point
Canvas prints are stretched around a bar. This creates a stunning effect for a wall hanging, but at the same time it uses a portion of your photo for the “gallery wrap” edge.
If the focal point of your photo, or an important decorative element in your design, is within 1.5 inches of an edge then canvas may not work for that image. Most of our canvas frames are 1-inch deep, but our special deep mounting for 15″ and 20″ square canvases use close to 2 inches of your image to wrap elegantly around the thick edges of the canvas. For those especially, it is best to keep your focal point near the center.
To highlight focal points near an edge, choose photo prints.
Decide how you want to display it
Our stretched canvas prints are ready to hang on your wall. With photo prints you may want to use a frame and matt board to display photos.
A stretched canvas print can both cost less and weigh less compared to a framed print.
Consider the style and feel you want
Canvas can give an image a painted effect and soften the image. Photo prints are more traditional and can show off details with sharp quality.
Take better photos with your phone
And of course, make sure you start from the best possible photo – even when you are using a phone camera.
Framing. Keep in mind when you crop a photo, it will change the size of the file you send in for printing. Frame what you want in the shot from the start instead of cutting out parts of the image later. Try not to use zoom, instead move closer to take a better photo when possible.
Focus. Phone cameras are pretty good at automatic focus, but with an iPhone you can also tap on the screen where you want to focus to make sure you highlight the right details. Tapping on some Android screens takes the photo instead of focusing, so you may want to look into photo apps that allow more control. Before printing a photo, zoom in and take a closer look. Make sure it is in focus in the right spots.
Clean the lens. Wipe your phone’s camera lens with a clean microfiber cloth.
Sending in your photo to print
If you want to print a canvas or poster with your phone photos, you can do it locally. We even offer square photo prints!
Pick the print you want and order print products right from your phone. You can also email your photos to orders@aklitho.com and talk with a print specialist if you have questions or concerns.
One big difference between printing your phone photos through Alaska Litho and other online printers is that we will always take a look at the photo you send in before it prints to make sure it will looks its best. From size to focus, we’ve got your back and we’re happy to give you advice on how to get the best quality photo.
