Did you take a great photo and now want to print it so you have a physical copy? You might be in for a shock when you discover that there are a ton of photo paper sizes.
So, to help you navigate the maze of photo printing, we’ll explain the most common photo sizes and help you determine the best one for the image you want to print.
2R (2.5 x 3.5 inches)
This is the smallest standard photo size you may use for printing. Although the final print you get is relatively small, it’s perfect if you want to keep photos in your wallet or card carrier. So, if you’ll print an image that you’ll carry around with you all the time, go for 2R.
Most credit cards and business cards also use this size. So, if youcreated a digital business card in Photoshopand want to print it, you should pick 2R.
3R (3.5 x 5 inches)
If you don’t have much desk space, 3R is your best pick if you want to have a small photo on your work table. I also found this size prevalent in my family’s old photo albums, especially during the days of film when photo prints were relatively expensive.
So, if you’re looking foraffordable sites for printing your photos onlineand want to save money on individual prints, check if the service you’re getting offers the 3R photo size.
4R (4 x 6 inches)
4R is the perfect size for film photos, especially because it’s directly proportional to the size of 35mm film. Although we mostly use digital sensors nowadays, most high-end professional digital cameras sport a full-frame sensor—which has the same dimensions as 35mm film.
Even smaller APS-C (what’s the difference between full-frame and APS-C cameras?) cameras use the same aspect ratio. So, if you’re printing an image from a full-frame or APS-C camera, you’d want to use this photo paper size to ensure you’re not cropping any part of the picture.
5R (5 x 7 inches)
If you want a larger photo but still plan to keep it on your desk, 5R is the most reasonable size you should pick. When I worked as a professional photographer taking graduation portraits, we usually offered several 5R prints to students and parents.
Many customers liked this size because of its versatility. They could place it on their desk where it sits prominent but doesn’t take up too much space. Or they could insert it in a photo album where it would sit front center among other smaller prints from the photos they’ve taken during graduation day.
6R (6 x 8 inches)
Most smartphones and micro-four-third cameras use this aspect ratio (4:3), so 6R is an excellent choice if you want toprint photos from your phone. It’s about the size of a standard composition notebook, so it will definitely take up space on your desk. But this is the perfect size if you plan to mount the photo on your wall.
The 6R photo size is also perfect if you want to give your friends and loved ones a photo print as a present. It’s large enough to hang on the wall, but it’s not too big that it will take up space over other photos they might prefer—like their wedding portrait or a professionally taken profile photo.
8R (8 x 10 inches)
If you want a large print to showcase on your wall, 8R is a good size to start with. It’s just slightly smaller than the screen of the 12.9-inch iPad Pro, so the photo will definitely stand out.
Furthermore, this is the aspect ratio used by several large format cameras favored by some notable photographers like Ansel Adams. So, if you applied differenttypes of Lightroom filters to create a photography styleand capture the feel of classic photographs, you should print your photos on 8 x 10-inch photo paper to complete the effect.
10R (10 x 12 inches)
10R is a rather unique size, so you’ll definitely get some cropping here no matter what aspect ratio (what is aspect ratio in photography?) you use for your photo. Nevertheless, many photographers like this size because it offers a larger print than the typical 8R photo.
This aspect ratio is also almost square, so it’s perfect for printing expansive landscape photos. This size will let you show a wide view angle without constricting the vertical space of your image.
11R (11 x 14 inches)
11R is another print with a unique aspect ratio. As such, you will likely crop your image to fit this photo paper size. Nevertheless, 11R is a good size for displaying multiple photos in your living room. For example, you may take three to five photos from significant life events, print them all in 11R, and then line them up on your living room wall to tell a story.
11R is perfect as it is large enough to serve as a statement piece in your home, but they’re small enough so you can fit multiple images along one wall.
12R (12 x 15 inches)
At 12 by 15 inches, 12R is already a very large print. You should pick this size if you’re building a photo wall and want one image to dominate it. For example, you could print your formal family portrait on 12R photo paper and then use 8R or 6R for the surrounding casual snapshots of your family.
Alternatively, you’re able to take high-quality photographs on your phone and print them on 12R photo paper. From there, you can sell your work as fine art creations tomake money from your smartphone photography.
Print Your Photos on Paper
Photography is a great hobby, and the prevalence of high-quality cameras on smartphones has allowed more people than ever to partake in it. And while the internet and social media have made sharing photos easier, looking at an image on a screen still cannot equate to the feeling of holding an actual print.
So, whether you’ve taken a once-in-a-lifetime, fine-art photograph or simply have a collection of your family and friend’s memories, printing them is still the best way to appreciate photos. However, you should ensure you have the correct DPI for the paper size you choose to avoid pixelation or blurring the final printed image.
