Print decision intelligence
See the trade-offs before choosing the print size.
A bigger print is not automatically a worse choice, and a higher PPI target is not the only constraint. Compare the same source across real candidate sizes and make the trade-off visible.
v29 · Decision matrix
Compare print outcomes before choosing a size
One source image, many physical targets. Rank measurable trade-offs in resolution and crop without pretending to predict subjective print quality.
How ranking worksThe planning score uses only measurable penalties: resolution shortfall, crop loss, and unused paper area in Fit mode. It is not a guarantee of sharpness, color, substrate quality or printer performance.
| Rank | Size | Orientation | Effective PPI | Crop / unused | Resolution | Required pixels | Planning score | Next step |
|---|
Interpreting the matrixThe best print size is a trade-off, not a single magic PPI number.
The matrix makes three measurable effects visible at the same time: resolution shortfall, crop loss and—when fitting the full image—unused paper area.
Fill and Fit solve different composition problems
Fill covers the entire print but removes image area whenever the source and paper ratios differ. Fit preserves the entire source but can leave borders or unused paper. Neither is universally better. A portrait with important edge content may benefit from Fit; a full-bleed poster may require Fill.
The matrix tests both paper orientations and chooses the stronger measurable outcome for each candidate size. In Fit mode it does not choose a rotated paper merely because that rotation produces a higher PPI while wasting much more paper.
The planning score is intentionally limited
The score weights only quantities the tool can calculate from the entered geometry: resolution shortfall, crop percentage and unused paper area. It does not score focus, compression artifacts, sharpening, paper texture, viewing distance, printer calibration or subject matter.
Use the ranking to narrow candidates, then open the chosen scenario in Studio for a deeper job plan. A lower-scoring size can still be the right creative choice when its trade-off is intentional.
Required pixels show the gap without inventing detail
For each physical candidate, required pixel dimensions are calculated from the selected target PPI. If the source is smaller, the matrix exposes the shortfall; it does not pretend that changing a DPI tag creates the missing capture detail.
Upsampling can be part of a production workflow, but it creates estimated pixels. Judge the enlarged result visually and follow the provider's acceptance requirements rather than treating the required-pixel number as a guarantee.