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How to increase image resolution for printing

By Kayabyte · Last updated 14 November 2026

Short answer: work out the pixels you need (print size in inches times 150 to 300), upscale to that with Upsharp at 2x, 4x or 8x, and save as PNG or TIFF.

Steps with Upsharp

  1. Multiply the print width in inches by 300 for close viewing (150 is enough for posters seen from a distance). A 10 inch wide print needs about 3000 pixels.
  2. If the image is smaller, choose the scale that reaches it (a 1000 pixel wide image needs 3x, so use 4x).
  3. Choose Best for photos, then save as PNG or TIFF to avoid more compression.

Good to know

Upscaling cannot add detail that was never captured, but it gives cleaner edges and texture than simply stretching the image. Results can be up to 200 megapixels. In the free version the result is limited to 4000 pixels on the long side and 2x.

Download Upsharp (free) · Pricing

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