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What size image to print a mount size a3

  • 22-01-2021 7:47pm
    #1
    skinny90
    Registered Users Posts: 2,466 ✭✭✭


    What’s an ideal print size that could fit a3 sized mount? Looking at getting frames in a3 size, can get mounts for a3 but they will cut based on image size.
    Is there an app or website where you input dimensions and get a virtual idea of what it all would look like
    Is there a general rule of thumb? Or even should I consider different sizes


Comments

  • #2
    Heebie
    Registered Users Posts: 1,302 ✭✭✭Heebie


    Ideally 300dpi at the size of the print.

    That's often not possible.

    Taking into account the distance at which it will generally viewed, you can go lower. The further away from the image the viewer will generally be, the litter you can get away with.
    At 1 foot away, 300 is best. You might be alright as low as 240dpi.

    The content can also affect how things look when "blown up". If the content has straight lines that are not perfectly vertical or perfectly horizonal, or had relatively thin curved lives... You'll want to stay as high as possible.

    Good luck with the photo! :)


  • #3
    skinny90
    Registered Users Posts: 2,466 ✭✭✭skinny90


    Heebie wrote: »
    Ideally 300dpi at the size of the print.

    That's often not possible.

    Taking into account the distance at which it will generally viewed, you can go lower. The further away from the image the viewer will generally be, the litter you can get away with.
    At 1 foot away, 300 is best. You might be alright as low as 240dpi.

    The content can also affect how things look when "blown up". If the content has straight lines that are not perfectly vertical or perfectly horizonal, or had relatively thin curved lives... You'll want to stay as high as possible.

    Good luck with the photo! :)

    Thanks for getting back to me

    However I’m confused, by 300 or 200 dpi what would this do with fitting into a mount? Dpi is quality related.

    My query is around what would the best size to fit into a mount that’s gonna fit an a3 frame.the crowd Im getting the mount from will cut the mount based on the print size.
    For the photo would I simply drop to a4 or is there a print size someone would recommend.

    Is there a site you can visualise all of this


  • #4
    pullandbang
    Hosted Moderators Posts: 4,948 ✭✭✭pullandbang


    skinny90 wrote: »
    the crowd Im getting the mount from will cut the mount based on the print size.

    How long is a piece of string?

    Your frame is a fixed size, therefore the external dimensions of the mount are also fixed.
    The question is what width of mount do you want around your photo.
    Sometimes a 6 x 4" print can look great with wide mount all round it.
    Other prints look good with a narrow mount around them.
    The moulding of the frame will also have a bearing on the width of the mount.
    Landscape prints (orientation, not pics of fields) can look better with a slightly wider mount under the print.


  • #5
    skinny90
    Registered Users Posts: 2,466 ✭✭✭skinny90


    pullandbang wrote: »
    How long is a piece of string?

    Your frame is a fixed size, therefore the external dimensions of the mount are also fixed.
    The question is what width of mount do you want around your photo.
    Sometimes a 6 x 4" print can look great with wide mount all round it.
    Other prints look good with a narrow mount around them.
    The moulding of the frame will also have a bearing on the width of the mount.
    Landscape prints (orientation, not pics of fields) can look better with a slightly wider mount under the print.

    Thanks. I guess that’s what I meant by is there a general rule of thumb I need to apply.


  • #6
    pullandbang
    Hosted Moderators Posts: 4,948 ✭✭✭pullandbang


    skinny90 wrote: »
    Thanks. I guess that’s what I meant by is there a general rule of thumb I need to apply.

    Nope.
    Go with what you think suits the photo and by whatever else you have hanging on your walls.


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  • #7
    Adrian.Sadlier
    Registered Users Posts: 2,687 ✭✭✭Adrian.Sadlier


    If you are using PS or LR (or probably most other photographic editing software chosse the print option, specify A3 as the paper size and choose print preview.

    This will give you a good idea of what it will look like.


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