How to print digital wall art at home or at a print shop
Sizes, paper, printer settings and the one setting that ruins most home prints. A practical guide for printable art.
A digital print is only as good as the paper it lands on. The good news: you do not need special equipment. You need the right file, the right size and one setting switched off.
1. Pick the file that matches your frame
Some listings include the artwork in several ratios and others in a single one. Choose the ratio first, then the size. If you print a 2:3 file on a 4:5 frame, something gets cropped.
| Ratio | Prints at |
|---|---|
| 2:3 | 4×6, 8×12, 12×18, 16×24, 20×30, 24×36 in |
| 3:4 | 6×8, 9×12, 12×16, 18×24, 24×32, 27×36 in |
| 4:5 | 4×5, 8×10, 16×20, 20×25, 28×35 in |
| 11×14 | 11×14, 22×28 in |
| ISO A | A5, A4, A3, A2, A1 |
| Square | 8×8, 12×12, 20×20, 27×27 in |
All files are 300 DPI, and the largest size depends on the collection. Any smaller size prints just as sharp.
- Dogs Off Duty: 24×36 in (2:3), 27×36 in (3:4), 28×35 in (4:5), 22×28 in (11×14) and A1.
- City Maps: 24×36 in (2:3), 24×32 in (3:4), 24×30 in (4:5), 22×28 in (11×14) and A1. The 2:3 file shows the whole map; the other shapes trim a little from the top and bottom and keep the title.
- City Maps, Tokyo and New York: also 27×36 in (3:4) and 28×35 in (4:5). Every shape except 2:3 keeps the whole map and adds plain paper at the sides, so the map itself stays up to 24×36 in.
- Coffee Stories: 16×24 in (2:3), 18×24 in (3:4), 16×20 in (4:5), 11×14 in and A2.
- Luz Compartida: 27×27 in (about 69×69 cm), square only.
- Long Live Boyhood: 20×25 in (4:5).
2. Printing at home
- Use matte photo paper or a heavy matte card, around 200 to 300 g/m². Glossy paper reflects light and fights the artwork.
- In the print dialog, set the scale to 100% or "actual size". "Fit to page" is the setting that crops or shrinks most home prints.
- Choose the highest quality setting and the correct paper type, so the printer lays down the right amount of ink.
- Let the print dry for an hour before you frame it.
3. Printing at a print shop
For anything larger than A4 or letter size, a print shop or an online print service gives better color and paper. Send them the file in the ratio you need and ask for the size you want, with no cropping and no borders. Fine-art matte paper suits most of my collections; the bold abstract pieces also look good on a satin finish.
4. About color
Colors can vary between screens, printers, inks and papers. If color accuracy matters to you, ask the print shop for a small test print before the final size.
5. Framing
Frames are not included with my files, which means you can choose the frame that suits your room. A white mat (passe-partout) gives a print breathing space and makes a simple frame look considered. If you use one, buy the frame one size up: an 8×10 print with a mat fits an 11×14 frame.
Stuck on a file or a size? Write to me and I will help.
