you know it’s not!! :)
Here are a few tricks and rules-of-thumb to gain some understanding of image pixel dimensions.
First off you need to find the image's pixel dimension. Here’s how:
Locate the image on your desktop/server
PC: Right-click on the image Mac: control-click.
PC: Choose Properties Mac: Get info.
PC: Click the Details tab Mac: More info
You'll see this: Dimensions: 1512 x 2016 for example
I know that does not help much. You want to know if/how to use that image. Below is where you can make some sense of these numbers.
Pixel Dimensions for Printing:
- 450 x 525 pixels: good for a small head shot, 1.5 x 1.75″
- 1200 x 1800 pixels: you are hitting the medium photo, 4×6”
- 3000 x 3600 pixels: now we are talkin’ - this is a full magazine page (10×12″)
Best practice, when sending images for print, send the largest image you have, your designer can make adjustments if needed. Not once have I asked someone to send me a smaller image size - and I never will.
Pixel Dimensions for Web / Digital / Social:
- 200 x 250 pixels: good for small head shots
- 800 pixels wide: you are hitting the medium, 4×6 photo range
- 1800 pixels wide: bingo - this can be used for large banners
Need some context?
- 400 px wide: width of your smart phones (vertical view)
- 1080 pixels wide: width of a good size tablet (horizontal view)
- 1800 pixels: Desktop. Some desktops are bigger for sure, but rarely do you browse that wide
That's all there is to it. Have a question about image sizes? Contact us today and we will be happy to help you.
