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Print File Size Resolution
File Size Formula
This file size formula is used to determine the file size per square foot for a given output resolution.
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resolution
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RGB file size
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CMYK file size
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100 ppi
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4.0 MB per sq. ft.
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5.5 MB per sq. ft. |
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150 ppi
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10.0 MB per sq. ft.
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13.0 MB per sq. ft. |
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200 ppi
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16.0 MB per sq. ft.
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22.0 MB per sq. ft. |
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300 ppi
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38.0 MB per sq. ft. |
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50.0 MB per sq. ft. |
Output Resolution
To reach a balance between file size and good resolution for printing, output file resolution at full size output dimensions can vary depending upon the application and the viewing distance to it.
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resolution
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viewing distance
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50-75 ppi
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greater than 10 feet
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100 ppi
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150 ppi
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less than 4 feet
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200 ppi
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less than 1 foot
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300 ppi
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offset press, handouts, etc. |
Example
For example, when applied to poster & light box applications to be viewed from an average of 5 - 10 feet, the resolution of the image at final size for this application would be 100 ppi (pixels per inch).
The basic formula would be: 4.0 MB per sq. ft. in RGB color space
For a 24” x 36” lightbox (6 sq. ft.) with a final output resolution of 100 ppi, the full size image would be scanned so that the resulting file would at least 24MB.
6 sq. ft. X 4 MB = 24 MB (RGB mode)
PRINT FILE SIZE (RGB)
The following chart shows the acceptable digital file size for an indicated print size at a desired resolution in RGB color mode.
Example:
The required digital file size for an 8” x 10” print at 300 ppi would be 7.2 MB.
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Print Size
in Inches
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Web
72 ppi
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Min
100 ppi |
Good
150 ppi |
Better
240 ppi |
Best
300 ppi |
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3.5 x 5
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0.09 MB
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0.18 MB |
0.4 MB |
1.0 MB |
1.6 MB |
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4 x 6
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0.12 MB
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0.24 MB |
0.5 MB |
1.4 MB |
2.2 MB |
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5 x 7
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0.18 MB
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0.35 MB |
0.8 MB |
2.0 MB |
3.2 MB |
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8 x 10
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0.41 MB
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0.8 MB |
1.8 MB |
4.6 MB |
7.2 MB |
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8 x 12
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0.5 MB |
1.0 MB |
2.2 MB |
5.5 MB |
8.6 MB |
| 10 x 15 |
0.78 MB |
1.5 MB |
3.4 MB |
8.6 MB |
13.5 MB |
| 11 x 14 |
0.8 MB |
1.55 MB |
3.5 MB |
8.9 MB |
13.9 MB |
| 12 x 18 |
1.3 MB |
2.2 MB |
4.9 MB |
12.4 MB |
19.4 MB |
| 16 x 20 |
1.7 MB |
3.2 MB |
7.2 MB |
18.4 MB |
28.8 MB |
| 20 x 24 |
2.5 MB |
4.8 MB |
10.8 MB |
27.6 MB |
43.2 MB |
| 20 x 30 |
3.1 MB |
6.0 MB |
13.5 MB |
34.6 MB |
54.0 MB |
| 24 x 36 |
4.5 MB |
8.6 MB |
19.4 MB |
49.8 MB |
77.8 MB |
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