Printing Photos from Your Phone, Properly Sized

Printing photos from your phone is easy. Printing them the right size, on the right paper, is slightly more considered. Here is what matters.

What size photo print do you need?

Common photo print sizes:

• 4R (4 x 6 inches) — standard photo print size
• A6 (105 x 148 mm) — similar to 4R but metric
• A5 (148 x 210 mm) — larger photo print
• Instagram square (1:1) — for Instagram-style photos

What paper type to choose

• Glossy — vivid colours, best for photos with bright colours
• Matte — easier to write on, good for photo ID prints
• Lustre — semi-gloss, a middle ground

Resolution matters

Photos from a modern phone (12MP+) are usually fine for prints up to A4 size. The key is not enlarging a small crop beyond its native resolution.

How to check if your photo is big enough

Open the photo details on your phone. Check the dimensions in pixels. Divide by 300 (print DPI) to get the maximum printable size in inches. For example, a 1200 x 1200 pixel Instagram square photo can print sharply at about 4 x 4 inches.

FAQ

Should I print from my phone or upload to Print Studio first?

Upload directly to the QR ordering page for quick prints. Use Print Studio if you want to add text, borders, or layout multiple photos on one page.

Is glossy or matte better for passport photos?

Matte is generally preferred for official photos. Glossy shows fingerprints and glare.

Can I print wallet-size photos?

Yes. Set a custom page size in Print Studio, or check whether the print shop offers wallet-size presets.