Generally, I would suggest that you do not resize the image (created by digital camera). Just give the full size image to photo lab or printer. If you are doing your own printing using inkjet printer, select the full size image and then define what print size you want in the printing software.
However, in case you really want to know the calculation, or you want your inserted images in Word document still look good in the printout, here is the general guideline.
|
Print Size
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Multiply by …
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Minimum Pixel Dimensions required
|
| For colour photo print by photo lab or using inkjet printer | ||
|
4” x 6”
|
200
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800 x 1200
|
|
5” x 7”
|
200
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1000 x 1400
|
|
8” x 10”
|
200
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1600 x 2000
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| For offset print by professional printer (e.g. book, magazine, etc) | ||
|
4” x 6”
|
300
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1200 x 1800
|
|
5” x 7”
|
300
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1500 x 2100
|
|
8” x 10”
|
300
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2400 x 3000
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For example, your desired print size of the image is about 3” x 4”. To make an inkjet print without quality loss, you need an image with minimum pixel dimensions of 600 (3 x 200) x 800 (4 x 200).
