This guide covers how to get your images ready for printing with Rewind Photo Lab. The short version: our print portal now checks most of this for you as you upload, so you do not need to do any maths before you start. You no longer need to convert e

<h2 id="preparing-your-files-for-prints">Preparing Your Files for Prints</h2><p>This guide covers how to get your images ready for printing with Rewind Photo Lab. The short version: our print portal now checks most of this for you as you upload, so you do not need to do any maths before you start.</p><hr><p><br></p><h3 style="font-size: 18px;" id="what-files-we-accept">What Files We Accept</h3><p>You no longer need to convert everything to JPEG. Our print portal reads all of these directly:</p><p><br></p><div style="display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;gap:8px;margin-bottom:10px;"><span style="background:#0f3d2e;color:#fff;font-size:13px;font-weight:700;padding:7px 13px;border-radius:4px;">JPEG</span><span style="background:#0f3d2e;color:#fff;font-size:13px;font-weight:700;padding:7px 13px;border-radius:4px;">HEIC</span><span style="background:#0f3d2e;color:#fff;font-size:13px;font-weight:700;padding:7px 13px;border-radius:4px;">PNG</span><span style="background:#0f3d2e;color:#fff;font-size:13px;font-weight:700;padding:7px 13px;border-radius:4px;">TIFF</span><span style="background:#0f3d2e;color:#fff;font-size:13px;font-weight:700;padding:7px 13px;border-radius:4px;">WebP</span><span style="background:#0f3d2e;color:#fff;font-size:13px;font-weight:700;padding:7px 13px;border-radius:4px;">AVIF</span><span style="background:#fff;color:#b3261e;border:1px solid #e6b4b0;font-size:13px;font-weight:700;padding:6px 12px;border-radius:4px;">RAW, convert first</span><span style="background:#fff;color:#b3261e;border:1px solid #e6b4b0;font-size:13px;font-weight:700;padding:6px 12px;border-radius:4px;">PSD, convert first</span></div><p><br></p><p><strong>iPhone users:</strong> HEIC files upload straight from your phone. You do not need to change your camera settings or convert anything.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Photographers:</strong> TIFF uploads directly, so you can send your full-quality export without flattening it to JPEG first. Bear in mind a TIFF is often five to ten times larger, so it will take longer to upload for no visible difference in the print.</p><p><br></p><p style="font-size: 15px;"><strong>File size limits</strong></p><ul><li>Up to <strong>500 MB per file</strong></li><li>Up to <strong>5 GB per order</strong></li></ul><p><br></p><hr><p><br></p><h3 style="font-size: 18px;" id="converting-raw-or-psd-files">Converting RAW or PSD Files</h3><p>RAW files (CR2, NEF, ARW, DNG and similar) and layered Photoshop files need exporting first. RAW files are unprocessed camera data rather than finished images, so how they look is still undecided until you export them. We would rather you make those decisions than have us guess.</p><p><br></p><p>Export as <strong>JPEG at 100% quality</strong> (shown as &quot;maximum&quot; or &quot;12&quot; in some software), or as TIFF if you prefer. The difference between a 100% JPEG and a TIFF is not visible in a print.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Adobe Lightroom:</strong></p><ol><li>Select the photo(s) you want to export</li><li>Go to File &gt; Export</li><li>Under &quot;File Settings&quot;, select JPEG from the dropdown</li><li>Set the Quality slider to 100</li><li>Click Export</li></ol><p><br></p><p><strong>Adobe Photoshop:</strong></p><ol><li>Go to File &gt; Export &gt; Export As (or File &gt; Save As)</li><li>Select JPEG as the format</li><li>Set Quality to 100% or Maximum</li><li>Click Export or Save</li></ol><p><br></p><p><strong>Capture One:</strong></p><ol><li>Select your image(s)</li><li>Go to File &gt; Export Images</li><li>Select JPEG as the format</li><li>Set Quality to 100</li><li>Click Export</li></ol><p><br></p><p><strong>Mac Photos App:</strong></p><ol><li>Select your photo(s)</li><li>Go to File &gt; Export &gt; Export Photos</li><li>Set Photo Kind to JPEG</li><li>Set JPEG Quality to Maximum</li><li>Click Export</li></ol><p><br></p><hr><p><br></p><h3 style="font-size: 18px;" id="resolution-we-check-it-for-you">Resolution: We Check It For You</h3><p>Every photo you upload is checked automatically against the size you choose. You do not need to work anything out in advance. If a photo is too small for the size you picked, the portal tells you before you order and suggests the largest size it will print well at.</p><p><br></p><div style="border:1px solid #e5e5e5;border-radius:8px;overflow:hidden;margin-bottom:10px;"><div style="display:flex;text-align:center;color:#fff;font-size:12px;font-weight:700;line-height:1.35;"><div style="flex:3;min-width:0;background:#137333;padding:12px 6px;">300 DPI or more<br><span style="font-weight:400;opacity:.85;">Best</span></div><div style="flex:2;min-width:0;background:#5a9e3f;padding:12px 6px;">200 to 300<br><span style="font-weight:400;opacity:.85;">Good</span></div><div style="flex:2;min-width:0;background:#e0a30b;padding:12px 6px;">Below 200<br><span style="font-weight:400;opacity:.85;">Soft</span></div><div style="flex:2;min-width:0;background:#b3261e;padding:12px 6px;">Too low<br><span style="font-weight:400;opacity:.85;">We warn you</span></div></div></div><p style="font-size: 13px; color: #666;">Fine art prints are flagged below 180 DPI. C-Type prints are more forgiving and go down to 100 DPI, which is why a phone photo makes a perfectly good 6x4&quot;.</p><p><br></p><p style="font-size: 15px;"><strong>You can still print anyway</strong></p><p>A warning is not a block. If you know the image and you are happy with it, you can accept the warning and we will print it. Some grain or softness is a stylistic choice, and scanned film or older digital files often print beautifully below 300 DPI.</p><p><br></p><p style="font-size: 15px;"><strong>If you would rather plan ahead</strong></p><p>The rule is your print size in inches multiplied by 300. An 8x10&quot; print at 300 DPI needs 2400 x 3000 pixels. These are the comfortable targets:</p><table><thead><tr><th>Print Size</th><th>Ideal (300 DPI)</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>4x6&quot;</td><td>1200 x 1800</td></tr><tr><td>5x7&quot;</td><td>1500 x 2100</td></tr><tr><td>6x8&quot;</td><td>1800 x 2400</td></tr><tr><td>8x10&quot;</td><td>2400 x 3000</td></tr><tr><td>8x12&quot;</td><td>2400 x 3600</td></tr><tr><td>12x18&quot;</td><td>3600 x 5400</td></tr><tr><td>16x20&quot;</td><td>4800 x 6000</td></tr><tr><td>16x24&quot;</td><td>4800 x 7200</td></tr><tr><td>20x30&quot;</td><td>6000 x 9000</td></tr><tr><td>24x36&quot;</td><td>7200 x 10800</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br></p><p style="font-size: 13px; color: #666;">Large prints are viewed from further away, so they tolerate less than 300 DPI far better than a small print held at arm&apos;s length. Do not rule out a big print just because the numbers look short.</p><p><br></p><p style="font-size: 15px;"><strong>Checking resolution yourself</strong></p><ul><li><strong>On Mac:</strong> Right-click the file &gt; Get Info &gt; look under &quot;More Info&quot; for Dimensions</li><li><strong>On Windows:</strong> Right-click the file &gt; Properties &gt; Details tab &gt; look for Dimensions</li><li><strong>In Photoshop:</strong> Go to Image &gt; Image Size</li></ul><hr><p><br></p><h3 style="font-size: 18px;" id="cropping-and-aspect-ratio">Cropping and Aspect Ratio</h3><p>Photo shapes rarely match paper shapes. A standard camera photo is 3:2, but an 8x10&quot; print is 4:5, so something has to give. You choose which:</p><p><br></p><div style="display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;gap:16px;"><div style="flex:1 1 200px;min-width:190px;border:1px solid #e5e5e5;border-radius:8px;padding:16px;"><div style="font-weight:700;font-size:14px;margin-bottom:10px;">Fill the print</div><div style="position:relative;width:120px;height:150px;margin:0 auto;background:#c9d6df;overflow:hidden;border:1px solid #bbb;"><div style="position:absolute;left:-22px;top:0;width:164px;height:150px;background:linear-gradient(135deg,#7d9fb5,#c9d6df);"><br></div><div style="position:absolute;left:0;top:0;width:22px;height:150px;background:repeating-linear-gradient(45deg,rgba(179,38,30,.55) 0 5px,rgba(179,38,30,.25) 5px 10px);"><br></div><div style="position:absolute;right:0;top:0;width:22px;height:150px;background:repeating-linear-gradient(45deg,rgba(179,38,30,.55) 0 5px,rgba(179,38,30,.25) 5px 10px);"><br></div></div><div style="font-size:12.5px;color:#666;margin-top:10px;line-height:1.5;">The photo fills the paper edge to edge. The striped parts are trimmed off.</div></div><div style="flex:1 1 200px;min-width:190px;border:1px solid #e5e5e5;border-radius:8px;padding:16px;"><div style="font-weight:700;font-size:14px;margin-bottom:10px;">Fit the whole photo</div><div style="width:120px;height:150px;margin:0 auto;background:#fff;border:1px solid #bbb;display:flex;align-items:center;justify-content:center;"><div style="width:120px;height:80px;background:linear-gradient(135deg,#7d9fb5,#c9d6df);"><br></div></div><div style="font-size:12.5px;color:#666;margin-top:10px;line-height:1.5;">Nothing is cut off. White borders appear on the two short sides.</div></div></div><p><br></p><p>The portal crops to fill by default and shows you exactly what will be trimmed. If the crop is not where you want it, open <strong>Adjustments</strong> on that photo and drag the image to reposition it, or switch to fit and keep the whole frame.</p><p><br></p><p>For a fuller explanation, see <a href="https://help.rewindphotolab.com.au/en-US/understanding-aspect-ratios-in-photo-printing-4129804">Understanding Aspect Ratios in Photo Printing</a>.</p><hr><p><br></p><h3 style="font-size: 18px;" id="colour-space">Colour Space</h3><p>Colour space sets the range of colours your file can hold. You do not need to understand the detail, just use one of these:</p><ul><li><strong>sRGB</strong>, the most common, and the right answer if you are unsure</li><li><strong>Adobe RGB</strong>, also accepted, common among professional photographers</li></ul><p><br></p><p>Both print beautifully on our systems. If you are not sure which you are using, it is almost certainly sRGB, the default for phones, cameras and most software.</p><p><br></p><p>If you print fine art and work to a specific profile, contact us and we will talk it through.</p><hr><p><br></p><h3 style="font-size: 18px;" id="file-naming">File Naming</h3><p>The portal handles names with spaces and unusual characters without complaint, so this is no longer something to worry about. It is still worth using clear names, because the name you upload is the name that appears on your order and on our job sheet, which makes any conversation about a specific photo much easier.</p><ul><li>Descriptive beats generic: &quot;beach_sunset.jpg&quot; tells us more than &quot;IMG_4821.jpg&quot;</li><li>You do not need to put the size in the name, you choose sizes in the portal</li></ul><hr><p><br></p><h3 style="font-size: 18px;" id="how-to-order">How to Order</h3><ol><li>Go to <a href="https://rewindphotolab.com.au/pages/order-prints">rewindphotolab.com.au/pages/order-prints</a></li><li><strong>Upload your photos first.</strong> Drag them in, or tap to browse. Your phone&apos;s camera roll works directly</li><li>Pick each photo and choose its <strong>size and paper</strong>. Every photo can be different, and you can order the same photo at several sizes</li><li>Check the preview and the resolution warning if one appears</li><li>Add a <strong>frame</strong> if you want one, in black or white timber</li><li>Review your cart and check out</li></ol><p><br></p><p><strong>Tip:</strong> your order saves as you go, so you can close the tab and come back to it. On a large upload, a wired connection or solid wifi will be noticeably faster.</p><hr><p><br></p><h3 style="font-size: 18px;" id="sizes-papers-and-frames">Sizes, Papers and Frames</h3><p><strong>Small Format Prints (up to 8x12&quot;):</strong><br>C-Type prints using traditional RA-4 chemical processing on Fujifilm Crystal Archive paper, in Gloss or Lustre. Ideal for everyday prints, albums and gifts.<br><a href="https://rewindphotolab.com.au/pages/small-format-photo-prints">Learn more about small format prints &#x2192;</a></p><p><br></p><p><strong>Fine Art and Large Format Prints:</strong><br>Exhibition quality on premium papers including Ilford Gallerie Pearl, Ilford Cotton Rag (Smooth and Textured), Bauhaus Photo Matt, Lustre and Metallic. Printed with Epson HDX inkjet for exceptional detail and archival life.<br><a href="https://rewindphotolab.com.au/pages/fine-art-printing">Learn more about fine art printing &#x2192;</a></p><p><br></p><p><strong>Custom sizes:</strong><br>You are not limited to the size list. Choose any custom size while you order, from 4&quot; on the short edge up to 40 x 60&quot;, and the price updates as you enter it.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Framing:</strong><br>Add a solid Australian timber frame in <strong>black or white</strong>, with real glass and ready to hang. Choose print-to-edge or a double matt border. We print, mount, seal and package it for you.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Exhibition Support:</strong><br>Discounted printing and promotional support for eligible exhibition projects.<br><a href="https://rewindphotolab.com.au/pages/exhibition-support">Learn more about our Exhibition Support Initiative &#x2192;</a></p><hr><p><br></p><h3 style="font-size: 18px;" id="quick-checklist-before-uploading">Quick Checklist Before Uploading</h3><ul><li>&#x2611; Images are edited and cropped to your liking, we print them exactly as sent</li><li>&#x2611; RAW and PSD files exported to JPEG or TIFF (everything else uploads as is)</li><li>&#x2611; Colour space is sRGB or Adobe RGB</li><li>&#x2611; You have looked over your images for dust spots or blemishes</li><li>&#x2611; Order is under 5 GB in total</li></ul><hr><p><br></p><h3 style="font-size: 18px;" id="common-questions">Common Questions</h3><p style="font-size: 15px;"><strong>Do I have to convert my photos to JPEG?</strong></p><p>No. JPEG, HEIC, PNG, TIFF, WebP and AVIF all upload directly. Only RAW and layered PSD files need exporting first.</p><p><br></p><p style="font-size: 15px;"><strong>Can I upload straight from my iPhone?</strong></p><p>Yes. HEIC files from your camera roll work as they are, with no settings to change.</p><p><br></p><p style="font-size: 15px;"><strong>My photo has a low resolution warning. Should I not print it?</strong></p><p>Not necessarily. The warning tells you what to expect rather than stopping you. Choose the smaller size we suggest, or accept the warning and print it anyway if you are happy with the look.</p><p><br></p><p style="font-size: 15px;"><strong>My image looks different on screen compared to the print. Why?</strong></p><p>Monitors and phone screens emit light, prints reflect it, so the two can never match exactly. We work in calibrated, colour-accurate viewing conditions for consistency. For best results avoid judging colour on a phone or an uncalibrated monitor, and view your print in daylight rather than under warm indoor bulbs.</p><p><br></p><p style="font-size: 15px;"><strong>Can you edit or retouch my photos before printing?</strong></p><p>We print files exactly as submitted, so please have them edited before uploading. If you would like retouching, contact us for a quote.</p><p><br></p><p style="font-size: 15px;"><strong>Can I order the same photo at several sizes?</strong></p><p>Yes. Upload it once and add it at as many sizes and papers as you like.</p><p><br></p><p style="font-size: 15px;"><strong>Do I have to finish my order in one go?</strong></p><p>No. Your order saves as you work, so you can come back to it later.</p><hr><p><br></p><h3 style="font-size: 18px;" id="need-help">Need Help?</h3><p>If you have any questions about preparing your files or placing an order, please get in touch. We would much rather answer a question first than reprint afterwards.</p><p><strong>Email:</strong> mail@rewindphotolab.com.au<br><strong>Phone:</strong> 02 8041 7049</p>

Preparing Your Files for Print

Photos and paper are rarely the same shape. A standard camera photo is 3:2, but an 8x10" print is 5:4, so something has to give: either part of the image is trimmed off, or white bars appear at the edges. The good news is that you no longer have to p

<h2 id><img src="https://attachments.gorgias.help/VvEzB7NjWpX7beky/hc/q0jJY2DOmd6eBWMO/2026011303-3d078cec-6acd-428e-b070-561bd690b413-photo%20printing%20incorrect%20aspect%20ratio%20optionas.jpg" style="width: 691px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib"></h2><p>Photos and paper are rarely the same shape. A standard camera photo is 3:2, but an 8x10&quot; print is 5:4, so something has to give: either part of the image is trimmed off, or white bars appear at the edges.</p><p>The good news is that you no longer have to predict any of this. Our print portal shows you exactly what will be cropped, lets you drag the crop where you want it, and warns you if the shapes do not match. This guide explains what is happening and how to get the result you want.</p><p><br></p><h3 id="what-is-an-aspect-ratio">What is an Aspect Ratio?</h3><p>An aspect ratio is the proportional relationship between the width and height of an image, written as two numbers such as 3:2 or 4:3. It describes shape, not size. A 4x6&quot; and a 20x30&quot; print are wildly different sizes but exactly the same shape, which is why one photo fits both perfectly.</p><p>When the shape of your photo does not match the shape of your paper, something has to be adjusted.</p><p><br></p><h3 id="common-camera-aspect-ratios">Common Camera Aspect Ratios</h3><table><thead><tr><th>Camera/Device Type</th><th>Aspect Ratio</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>35mm Film Cameras</td><td>3:2</td></tr><tr><td>Most DSLR &amp; Mirrorless Cameras</td><td>3:2</td></tr><tr><td>Micro Four Thirds Cameras</td><td>4:3</td></tr><tr><td>Most Smartphones (photo mode)</td><td>4:3</td></tr><tr><td>Smartphones (wide or video mode)</td><td>16:9</td></tr><tr><td>Medium Format (6x4.5)</td><td>4:3</td></tr><tr><td>Medium Format (6x6)</td><td>1:1 (Square)</td></tr><tr><td>Medium Format (6x7)</td><td>7:6</td></tr><tr><td>Large Format (4x5)</td><td>5:4</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br></p><h3 id="how-much-gets-trimmed">How Much Gets Trimmed?</h3><p>Here is the same 3:2 photo filling five different papers. The striped areas are what gets trimmed away:</p><p><br></p><p style="font-size: 13px; color: #666;">The same 3:2 photo, filling five different papers.</p><div style="display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;gap:18px;align-items:flex-start;"><div style="flex:0 0 auto;text-align:center;"><div style="position:relative;width:88px;height:132px;margin:0 auto;overflow:hidden;border:1px solid #bbb;background:#c9d6df;"><div style="position:absolute;left:0;top:0;width:88px;height:132px;background:linear-gradient(135deg,#7d9fb5,#c9d6df);"><br></div></div><div style="font-size:13px;font-weight:700;margin-top:8px;">4x6&quot;</div><div style="font-size:12px;color:#137333;font-weight:700;">nothing lost</div></div><div style="flex:0 0 auto;text-align:center;"><div style="position:relative;width:94px;height:132px;margin:0 auto;overflow:hidden;border:1px solid #bbb;background:#c9d6df;"><div style="position:absolute;left:-3px;top:0;width:101px;height:132px;background:linear-gradient(135deg,#7d9fb5,#c9d6df);"><br></div><div style="position:absolute;left:0;top:0;width:3px;height:132px;background:repeating-linear-gradient(45deg,rgba(179,38,30,.55) 0 5px,rgba(179,38,30,.22) 5px 10px);"><br></div><div style="position:absolute;right:0;top:0;width:3px;height:132px;background:repeating-linear-gradient(45deg,rgba(179,38,30,.55) 0 5px,rgba(179,38,30,.22) 5px 10px);"><br></div></div><div style="font-size:13px;font-weight:700;margin-top:8px;">5x7&quot;</div><div style="font-size:12px;color:#5a9e3f;font-weight:700;">lose 7%</div></div><div style="flex:0 0 auto;text-align:center;"><div style="position:relative;width:106px;height:132px;margin:0 auto;overflow:hidden;border:1px solid #bbb;background:#c9d6df;"><div style="position:absolute;left:-11px;top:0;width:128px;height:132px;background:linear-gradient(135deg,#7d9fb5,#c9d6df);"><br></div><div style="position:absolute;left:0;top:0;width:11px;height:132px;background:repeating-linear-gradient(45deg,rgba(179,38,30,.55) 0 5px,rgba(179,38,30,.22) 5px 10px);"><br></div><div style="position:absolute;right:0;top:0;width:11px;height:132px;background:repeating-linear-gradient(45deg,rgba(179,38,30,.55) 0 5px,rgba(179,38,30,.22) 5px 10px);"><br></div></div><div style="font-size:13px;font-weight:700;margin-top:8px;">8x10&quot;</div><div style="font-size:12px;color:#e0a30b;font-weight:700;">lose 17%</div></div><div style="flex:0 0 auto;text-align:center;"><div style="position:relative;width:104px;height:132px;margin:0 auto;overflow:hidden;border:1px solid #bbb;background:#c9d6df;"><div style="position:absolute;left:-9px;top:0;width:122px;height:132px;background:linear-gradient(135deg,#7d9fb5,#c9d6df);"><br></div><div style="position:absolute;left:0;top:0;width:9px;height:132px;background:repeating-linear-gradient(45deg,rgba(179,38,30,.55) 0 5px,rgba(179,38,30,.22) 5px 10px);"><br></div><div style="position:absolute;right:0;top:0;width:9px;height:132px;background:repeating-linear-gradient(45deg,rgba(179,38,30,.55) 0 5px,rgba(179,38,30,.22) 5px 10px);"><br></div></div><div style="font-size:13px;font-weight:700;margin-top:8px;">11x14&quot;</div><div style="font-size:12px;color:#e0a30b;font-weight:700;">lose 15%</div></div><div style="flex:0 0 auto;text-align:center;"><div style="position:relative;width:99px;height:132px;margin:0 auto;overflow:hidden;border:1px solid #bbb;background:#c9d6df;"><div style="position:absolute;left:-6px;top:0;width:111px;height:132px;background:linear-gradient(135deg,#7d9fb5,#c9d6df);"><br></div><div style="position:absolute;left:0;top:0;width:6px;height:132px;background:repeating-linear-gradient(45deg,rgba(179,38,30,.55) 0 5px,rgba(179,38,30,.22) 5px 10px);"><br></div><div style="position:absolute;right:0;top:0;width:6px;height:132px;background:repeating-linear-gradient(45deg,rgba(179,38,30,.55) 0 5px,rgba(179,38,30,.22) 5px 10px);"><br></div></div><div style="font-size:13px;font-weight:700;margin-top:8px;">12x16&quot;</div><div style="font-size:12px;color:#e0a30b;font-weight:700;">lose 11%</div></div></div><p><br></p><p>8x10&quot; is the one that catches people out. It looks like a modest step up from 8x12&quot;, but it trims roughly a sixth off your composition.</p><p><br></p><h3 id="your-two-options">Your Two Options</h3><div style="display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;gap:16px;"><div style="flex:1 1 200px;min-width:190px;border:1px solid #e5e5e5;border-radius:8px;padding:16px;"><div style="font-weight:700;font-size:14px;margin-bottom:10px;">Fill the print (crop)</div><div style="position:relative;width:120px;height:150px;margin:0 auto;background:#c9d6df;overflow:hidden;border:1px solid #bbb;"><div style="position:absolute;left:-22px;top:0;width:164px;height:150px;background:linear-gradient(135deg,#7d9fb5,#c9d6df);"><br></div><div style="position:absolute;left:0;top:0;width:22px;height:150px;background:repeating-linear-gradient(45deg,rgba(179,38,30,.55) 0 5px,rgba(179,38,30,.25) 5px 10px);"><br></div><div style="position:absolute;right:0;top:0;width:22px;height:150px;background:repeating-linear-gradient(45deg,rgba(179,38,30,.55) 0 5px,rgba(179,38,30,.25) 5px 10px);"><br></div></div><div style="font-size:12.5px;color:#666;margin-top:10px;line-height:1.5;">The photo fills the paper edge to edge. Best when your subject is central and the edges are not critical.</div></div><div style="flex:1 1 200px;min-width:190px;border:1px solid #e5e5e5;border-radius:8px;padding:16px;"><div style="font-weight:700;font-size:14px;margin-bottom:10px;">Fit the whole photo</div><div style="width:120px;height:150px;margin:0 auto;background:#fff;border:1px solid #bbb;display:flex;align-items:center;justify-content:center;"><div style="width:120px;height:80px;background:linear-gradient(135deg,#7d9fb5,#c9d6df);"><br></div></div><div style="font-size:12.5px;color:#666;margin-top:10px;line-height:1.5;">Nothing is cut off. White bars appear on two sides. Best when every part of the frame matters. The bars can be trimmed later if you want.</div></div></div><p><br></p><h3 id="the-portal-shows-you-before-you-order">The Portal Shows You Before You Order</h3><p>You do not need to work any of this out in advance:</p><ul><li>The preview shows the actual crop, so you can see what will be lost</li><li>If the shapes do not match, a note appears saying the image does not fit the print, with a <strong>Fix</strong> button</li><li>Open <strong>Adjustments</strong> on any photo to drag the image around and place the crop exactly where you want it</li><li>Prefer no cropping at all? Switch that photo to fit and keep the whole frame with white borders</li></ul><p>This is the part that changed. It used to be worth cropping everything in Lightroom first. Now you can do it while you order, looking at the actual print shape.</p><p><br></p><h3 id="or-skip-the-problem-choose-a-custom-size">Or Skip the Problem: Choose a Custom Size</h3><p>You are not limited to standard sizes. In the portal you can enter <strong>any custom size</strong> from 4&quot; on the short edge up to 40 x 60&quot;, and the price updates as you type.</p><p>This is the cleanest answer to an awkward ratio. Shooting 6x7 medium format, or a 16:9 panorama, or an unusual crop of your own? Enter the exact dimensions you want and nothing gets trimmed at all.</p><p><br></p><h3 id="quick-reference-sizes-that-match-your-camera-exactly">Quick Reference: Sizes That Match Your Camera Exactly</h3><p><strong>3:2 (35mm film, DSLR, mirrorless)</strong><br>Perfect match: 4x6&quot;, 5x7.5&quot;, 6x9&quot;, 8x12&quot;, 12x18&quot;, 16x24&quot;, 20x30&quot;, 24x36&quot;, 40x60&quot;<br>Minor crop: 5x7&quot; (7%), A3, A2, A1, A0 (about 6%)<br>Significant crop: 8x10&quot; (17%), 11x14&quot; (15%), 16x20&quot; (17%)</p><p><br></p><p><strong>4:3 (smartphones, Micro Four Thirds, 6x4.5)</strong><br>Perfect match: 6x8&quot;, 12x16&quot;, 30x40&quot;, 36x48&quot;<br>Minor crop: 5x7&quot; (5%), 8x10&quot; (6%), 11x14&quot; (5%), 16x20&quot; (6%)</p><p><br></p><p><strong>1:1 (square, 6x6 medium format)</strong><br>Perfect match: 5x5&quot;, 6x6&quot;, 8x8&quot;, 16x16&quot;, 20x20&quot;, 24x24&quot;, 40x40&quot;</p><p><br></p><p><strong>5:4 (4x5 large format)</strong><br>Perfect match: 8x10&quot;, 11x14&quot;, 16x20&quot;</p><p><br></p><p><strong>16:9 (phone wide and video mode)</strong><br>No standard size matches this shape. Either crop to 3:2 while you order, or enter a custom size and lose nothing.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>7:6 (6x7 medium format)</strong><br>Nothing matches exactly. 20x24&quot; is closest at about 3%. A custom size is the better answer.</p><p><br></p><h3 id="panoramas">Panoramas</h3><p>For genuinely wide images we stock two panoramic C-Type sizes: <strong>6x24&quot;</strong> (1:4) and <strong>8x24&quot;</strong> (1:3). Anything else wide is a good candidate for a custom size.</p><p><br></p><h3 id="cropping-before-you-upload">Cropping Before You Upload</h3><p>This is now optional, but some people prefer to make crop decisions in their own software with their own tools. If that is you:</p><p><br></p><p><strong>In Adobe Lightroom:</strong></p><ul><li>Select the Crop tool</li><li>Click the aspect ratio dropdown</li><li>Enter your print dimensions (e.g. 8x10)</li><li>Adjust the crop to your liking</li><li>Export</li></ul><p><strong>In Adobe Photoshop:</strong></p><ul><li>Select the Crop tool</li><li>Enter your dimensions in the options bar (e.g. 8 in x 10 in)</li><li>Adjust the crop area</li><li>Press Enter to apply, then save</li></ul><p>Upload the cropped file and the portal will see it as an exact match, with no warning and no further cropping.</p><p><br></p><h3 id="adding-your-own-borders">Adding Your Own Borders</h3><p>If you like the &quot;fit&quot; look but want a coloured border rather than white, create a canvas at your print dimensions in your editing software, centre your image on it, and fill the background with the colour you want. Upload that and it prints edge to edge exactly as you built it.</p><p>If you want a white mount around a framed print, you do not need to do this yourself. Choose the <strong>double matt border</strong> option when you add a frame and we mount it properly behind archival board.</p><p><br></p><h3 id="still-have-questions">Still Have Questions?</h3><p>If you are unsure how your image will print, or which size suits your photos best, please get in touch. We are happy to help you get the best result.</p><p><strong>Email:</strong> mail@rewindphotolab.com.au<br><strong>Phone:</strong> 02 8041 7049</p>

Understanding Aspect Ratios in Photo Printing

Learn how image resolution and DPI affect print quality, what sizes you can print from our standard, high resolution, and Hasselblad X5 scans, and how to calculate the maximum print size for your files.

<h2 id="file-sizes-resolutions-and-print-dimensions">File Sizes, Resolutions and Print Dimensions</h2><p>This guide explains how image resolution affects print quality, how large you can print from each of our scan services, and how to choose the right scan for what you plan to do with it.</p><p><br></p><p>Worth knowing before you start: our print portal now checks resolution for you. Upload a scan, choose a size, and it tells you whether that file has the detail for it. Nothing below is something you have to calculate in advance.</p><p><br></p><hr><p><br></p><h3 style="font-size: 18px;" id="understanding-dpi-and-print-quality">Understanding DPI and Print Quality</h3><p style="font-size: 15px;"><strong>What is DPI?</strong></p><p>DPI stands for &quot;dots per inch&quot; and describes how many pixels are packed into each inch of a print. More pixels per inch means a sharper, more detailed print. Crucially it is a relationship between the file and the print size, not a property of the file on its own. The same scan is 300 DPI at 8x12&quot; and 150 DPI at 16x24&quot;.</p><p><br></p><p style="font-size: 15px;"><strong>What to aim for</strong></p><div style="border:1px solid #e5e5e5;border-radius:8px;overflow:hidden;margin-bottom:10px;"><div style="display:flex;text-align:center;color:#fff;font-size:12px;font-weight:700;line-height:1.35;"><div style="flex:3;min-width:0;background:#137333;padding:12px 6px;">300 DPI or more<br><span style="font-weight:400;opacity:.85;">Best</span></div><div style="flex:2;min-width:0;background:#5a9e3f;padding:12px 6px;">200 to 300<br><span style="font-weight:400;opacity:.85;">Good</span></div><div style="flex:2;min-width:0;background:#e0a30b;padding:12px 6px;">Below 200<br><span style="font-weight:400;opacity:.85;">Soft</span></div><div style="flex:2;min-width:0;background:#b3261e;padding:12px 6px;">Too low<br><span style="font-weight:400;opacity:.85;">We warn you</span></div></div></div><p><strong>300 DPI</strong> is the gold standard and will look sharp with your nose against the print.</p><p><strong>200 to 300 DPI</strong> is genuinely good, and for anything hanging on a wall it is usually indistinguishable. Viewing distance does most of the work: nobody inspects a 20x30&quot; print from 30cm away.</p><p><strong>Below 200 DPI</strong> starts to soften. Our portal flags fine art prints below 180 DPI, and C-Type prints below 100 DPI. A flag is a warning, not a block, so if you know the image and you are happy with it you can go ahead.</p><p><br></p><p style="font-size: 15px;"><strong>Working out your maximum print size</strong></p><p>Divide your pixel dimensions by the DPI you want.</p><p><strong>Example:</strong> a 2400 x 3600 pixel scan<br>At 300 DPI: 2400 &#xF7; 300 = 8&quot; and 3600 &#xF7; 300 = 12&quot; gives a maximum of 8x12&quot;<br>At 240 DPI: 2400 &#xF7; 240 = 10&quot; and 3600 &#xF7; 240 = 15&quot; gives a maximum of 10x15&quot;</p><p><br></p><hr><p><br></p><h3 style="font-size: 18px;" id="how-big-can-i-print">How Big Can I Print?</h3><p style="font-size: 13px; color: #666;">How large a 35mm frame prints at 300 DPI, drawn to scale.</p><div style="display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;gap:22px;align-items:flex-end;"><div style="flex:0 0 auto;text-align:center;"><div style="width:47px;height:32px;background:linear-gradient(135deg,#7d9fb5,#c9d6df);border:1px solid #99a;margin:0 auto;"><br></div><div style="font-size:13px;font-weight:700;margin-top:10px;">Standard</div><div style="font-size:12px;color:#666;">2400px short side</div><div style="font-size:13px;font-weight:700;color:#137333;margin-top:3px;">8x12&quot;</div></div><div style="flex:0 0 auto;text-align:center;"><div style="width:95px;height:63px;background:linear-gradient(135deg,#7d9fb5,#c9d6df);border:1px solid #99a;margin:0 auto;"><br></div><div style="font-size:13px;font-weight:700;margin-top:10px;">High Resolution</div><div style="font-size:12px;color:#666;">4800px short side</div><div style="font-size:13px;font-weight:700;color:#137333;margin-top:3px;">16x24&quot;</div></div><div style="flex:0 0 auto;text-align:center;"><div style="width:150px;height:99px;background:linear-gradient(135deg,#7d9fb5,#c9d6df);border:1px solid #99a;margin:0 auto;"><br></div><div style="font-size:13px;font-weight:700;margin-top:10px;">Hasselblad X5</div><div style="font-size:12px;color:#666;">11,336px long side</div><div style="font-size:13px;font-weight:700;color:#137333;margin-top:3px;">25x38&quot;</div></div></div><p style="font-size: 12px; color: #888;">Each step roughly doubles the print you can make from the same negative.</p><p><br></p><hr><p><br></p><h3 style="font-size: 18px;" id="our-scan-resolutions-and-print-sizes">Our Scan Resolutions and Print Sizes</h3><p style="font-size: 15px;"><strong>Standard Resolution Scans</strong></p><table><tbody><tr><td><strong>Resolution:</strong></td><td>2400px on the short side @ 300dpi</td></tr><tr><td><strong>File Type:</strong></td><td>JPEG</td></tr><tr><td><strong>File Size:</strong></td><td>Approximately 9MB per image</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br></p><p><strong>Maximum print sizes from Standard Resolution scans:</strong></p><table><thead><tr><th>Film Format</th><th>Approximate Scan Dimensions</th><th>Max Print @ 300 DPI</th><th>Max Print @ 240 DPI</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>35mm (3:2)</td><td>3600 x 2400 px</td><td>8x12&quot;</td><td>10x15&quot;</td></tr><tr><td>6x4.5 (4:3)</td><td>3200 x 2400 px</td><td>8x10.6&quot;</td><td>10x13.3&quot;</td></tr><tr><td>6x6 (1:1)</td><td>2400 x 2400 px</td><td>8x8&quot;</td><td>10x10&quot;</td></tr><tr><td>6x7 (7:6)</td><td>2800 x 2400 px</td><td>8x9.3&quot;</td><td>10x11.6&quot;</td></tr><tr><td>6x9 (3:2)</td><td>3600 x 2400 px</td><td>8x12&quot;</td><td>10x15&quot;</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br></p><p><strong>Standard resolution scans are ideal for:</strong></p><ul><li>Sharing online (Instagram, Facebook, websites)</li><li>Small to medium prints up to approximately 8x12&quot;</li><li>Proof scans to review your images</li><li>General everyday use</li></ul><p><br></p><p style="font-size: 15px;"><strong>High Resolution Scans</strong></p><table><tbody><tr><td><strong>Resolution:</strong></td><td>4800px on the short side @ 300dpi</td></tr><tr><td><strong>File Type:</strong></td><td>JPEG</td></tr><tr><td><strong>File Size:</strong></td><td>Approximately 30MB per image</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br></p><p><strong>Maximum print sizes from High Resolution scans:</strong></p><table><thead><tr><th>Film Format</th><th>Approximate Scan Dimensions</th><th>Max Print @ 300 DPI</th><th>Max Print @ 240 DPI</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>35mm (3:2)</td><td>7200 x 4800 px</td><td>16x24&quot;</td><td>20x30&quot;</td></tr><tr><td>6x4.5 (4:3)</td><td>6400 x 4800 px</td><td>16x21.3&quot;</td><td>20x26.6&quot;</td></tr><tr><td>6x6 (1:1)</td><td>4800 x 4800 px</td><td>16x16&quot;</td><td>20x20&quot;</td></tr><tr><td>6x7 (7:6)</td><td>5600 x 4800 px</td><td>16x18.6&quot;</td><td>20x23.3&quot;</td></tr><tr><td>6x9 (3:2)</td><td>7200 x 4800 px</td><td>16x24&quot;</td><td>20x30&quot;</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br></p><p><strong>High resolution scans are ideal for:</strong></p><ul><li>Large format prints up to 24x36&quot;</li><li>Exhibition and gallery prints</li><li>Heavy cropping while retaining detail</li><li>Professional and commercial use</li></ul><p><br></p><p style="font-size: 15px;"><strong>16-bit TIFF Add-On</strong></p><table><tbody><tr><td><strong>Resolution:</strong></td><td>Matches your chosen scan tier (Standard or High Resolution)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>File Type:</strong></td><td>TIFF (16-bit, uncompressed)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>File Size:</strong></td><td>Approximately 50MB per image on Standard, 200MB on High Resolution</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br></p><p>The 16-bit TIFF add-on can be added to either scan tier for a small per-roll fee. It delivers uncompressed 16-bit files with the widest latitude for editing, colour grading, shadow and highlight recovery, and archival keeping. TIFF files upload to our print portal directly. You do not need to convert them to JPEG first.</p><p><br></p><p style="font-size: 13px; color: #666;">All scans are output to print specification: 300dpi at the stated print size (8&quot; short side for Standard, 16&quot; for High Resolution). If you would prefer files at the scanner&apos;s native default resolution instead, we can do this as a special request at no charge. Just mention it at drop-off or on the mail-in order form.</p><p><br></p><hr><p><br></p><h3 style="font-size: 18px;" id="hasselblad-flextight-x5-scanning">Hasselblad Flextight X5 Scanning</h3><p>For the highest quality film scanning available, we offer single frame scanning on our Hasselblad Flextight X5. This is a virtual drum scanner producing exceptional detail and tonal range, ideal for exhibition prints and professional work.</p><p><br></p><p style="font-size: 15px;"><strong>X5 Scanner Output and Print Sizes</strong></p><p>Output resolution varies by film format, as the scanner runs at different DPI for different film sizes.</p><p><br></p><table><thead><tr><th>Film Format</th><th>Aspect Ratio</th><th>Scanner DPI</th><th>Approx. Dimensions</th><th>Max Print @ 300 DPI</th><th>Max Print @ 240 DPI</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>35mm</td><td>3:2</td><td>8,000</td><td>11,336 x 7,560 px</td><td>25x38&quot;</td><td>31x47&quot;</td></tr><tr><td>XPAN</td><td>65:24</td><td>8,000</td><td>20,472 x 7,560 px</td><td>25x68&quot;</td><td>31x85&quot;</td></tr><tr><td>6x4.5</td><td>4:3</td><td>3,200</td><td>7,056 x 5,229 px</td><td>17x24&quot;</td><td>22x29&quot;</td></tr><tr><td>6x6</td><td>1:1</td><td>3,200</td><td>7,056 x 7,056 px</td><td>24x24&quot;</td><td>29x29&quot;</td></tr><tr><td>6x7</td><td>7:6</td><td>3,200</td><td>8,819 x 7,056 px</td><td>24x29&quot;</td><td>29x37&quot;</td></tr><tr><td>6x9</td><td>3:2</td><td>3,200</td><td>10,582 x 7,056 px</td><td>24x35&quot;</td><td>29x44&quot;</td></tr><tr><td>4x5</td><td>5:4</td><td>2,040</td><td>10,200 x 8,160 px</td><td>27x34&quot;</td><td>34x43&quot;</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br></p><p style="font-size: 13px; color: #666;">Our in-house printing goes up to 40 x 60&quot;. Every X5 output above fits inside that except a full-length XPAN frame at 300 DPI, which would be 68&quot; long. We can still print it, either slightly smaller or on a roll, so <a href="mailto:mail@rewindphotolab.com.au">get in touch</a> and we will quote it.</p><p><br></p><p style="font-size: 15px;"><strong>X5 scanning is ideal for:</strong></p><ul><li>Exhibition and gallery quality prints</li><li>Very large format printing</li><li>Maximum detail extraction from your negatives</li><li>Archival and museum quality reproduction</li><li>Commercial and advertising use</li><li>Images requiring heavy cropping</li><li>Dense negatives or slides requiring maximum shadow detail (Dmax 4.9)</li></ul><p><br></p><hr><p><br></p><h3 style="font-size: 18px;" id="film-format-aspect-ratios">Film Format Aspect Ratios</h3><p>Different film formats produce different shaped images. Matching your film&apos;s shape to a print shape means nothing gets cropped.</p><p><br></p><table><thead><tr><th>Film Format</th><th>Aspect Ratio</th><th>Print Sizes That Match Exactly</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>35mm / 135</td><td>3:2</td><td>4x6&quot;, 5x7.5&quot;, 6x9&quot;, 8x12&quot;, 12x18&quot;, 16x24&quot;, 20x30&quot;, 24x36&quot;, 40x60&quot;</td></tr><tr><td>6x4.5 (645)</td><td>4:3</td><td>6x8&quot;, 12x16&quot;, 30x40&quot;, 36x48&quot;</td></tr><tr><td>6x6</td><td>1:1 (Square)</td><td>5x5&quot;, 6x6&quot;, 8x8&quot;, 16x16&quot;, 20x20&quot;, 24x24&quot;, 40x40&quot;</td></tr><tr><td>6x7</td><td>7:6</td><td>No exact match. 20x24&quot; is closest at about 3%, or use a custom size</td></tr><tr><td>6x9</td><td>3:2</td><td>4x6&quot;, 8x12&quot;, 12x18&quot;, 16x24&quot;, 20x30&quot;, 24x36&quot;, 40x60&quot;</td></tr><tr><td>6x12</td><td>2:1</td><td>Custom size recommended</td></tr><tr><td>6x17</td><td>17:6</td><td>8x24&quot; with about 6% crop, or a custom size</td></tr><tr><td>4x5 Large Format</td><td>5:4</td><td>8x10&quot;, 11x14&quot;, 16x20&quot;</td></tr><tr><td>XPAN</td><td>65:24</td><td>8x24&quot; with about 11% crop, or a custom size</td></tr><tr><td>110</td><td>4:3</td><td>6x8&quot;, 12x16&quot;, 30x40&quot;, 36x48&quot;</td></tr><tr><td>APS</td><td>3:2</td><td>4x6&quot;, 8x12&quot;, 12x18&quot;, 16x24&quot;, 20x30&quot;</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br></p><p>For what happens when the shapes do not match, see <a href="https://help.rewindphotolab.com.au/en-US/understanding-aspect-ratios-in-photo-printing-4129804">Understanding Aspect Ratios in Photo Printing</a>.</p><p><br></p><hr><p><br></p><h3 style="font-size: 18px;" id="awkward-formats-use-a-custom-size">Awkward Formats: Use a Custom Size</h3><p>6x7, 6x12, 6x17 and XPAN do not match any standard paper shape, and cropping a panoramic frame to fit a standard size rather defeats the point of shooting it.</p><p>You can enter <strong>any custom size</strong> in our print portal, from 4&quot; on the short edge up to 40 x 60&quot;, with the price updating as you type. Enter the exact proportions of your frame and nothing is trimmed.</p><p>We also stock two panoramic C-Type sizes off the shelf: <strong>6x24&quot;</strong> and <strong>8x24&quot;</strong>.</p><p><br></p><hr><p><br></p><h3 style="font-size: 18px;" id="quick-reference-which-scan-do-i-need">Quick Reference: Which Scan Do I Need?</h3><table><thead><tr><th>Your Intended Use</th><th>Recommended Scan</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Social media and web sharing</td><td>Standard Resolution</td></tr><tr><td>Prints up to 8x12&quot;</td><td>Standard Resolution</td></tr><tr><td>Prints up to 12x18&quot;</td><td>Standard Resolution (around 240 DPI, still very good)</td></tr><tr><td>Prints up to 24x36&quot;</td><td>High Resolution</td></tr><tr><td>Editing, colour grading or an archival master</td><td>Add 16-bit TIFF to either scan</td></tr><tr><td>Exhibition prints larger than 24x36&quot;</td><td>X5 Scanner</td></tr><tr><td>Heavy cropping required</td><td>High Resolution or X5 Scanner</td></tr><tr><td>Archival and maximum quality</td><td>X5 Scanner</td></tr><tr><td>Dense slides or negatives</td><td>X5 Scanner (Dmax 4.9)</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br></p><p style="font-size: 13px; color: #666;">Not sure? Order the standard scan, upload it to the print portal and choose the size you want. If the file will not carry it, the portal says so before you pay, and we can rescan at higher resolution from your negatives.</p><p><br></p><hr><p><br></p><h3 style="font-size: 18px;" id="need-help">Need Help?</h3><p>If you are unsure which scanning option suits your project, or have questions about print sizes and file preparation, please get in touch. We are happy to advise on the best approach.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Email:</strong> mail@rewindphotolab.com.au<br><strong>Phone:</strong> 02 8041 7049</p>

File Sizes, Resolutions and Print Dimensions

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Printing Services | Photo Prints | Rewind Photo Lab Help Center

Everything you need to know about ordering prints from Rewind Photo Lab, including how to upload your files, paper options, sizing, and pricing.