Photo guideMost of the photos worth printing now live on a phone. The good news is that a recent iPhone takes files big enough for a real print on the wall. The catch is that the way you send the photo can quietly shrink it before it ever reaches the printer. Here's how to get the full-quality file off your iPhone, which sizes fit its photos without cropping, and how big you can go.
Quick answer
The short answer
To print a photo from your iPhone, send the original, full-size file by AirDrop to a Mac, a shared iCloud link, or email set to Actual Size. Don't send it by text, WhatsApp or Instagram, which compress it.
iPhone photos are 4:3, so 12×16 and 18×24 print with no cropping. A 12-megapixel photo prints well up to about 15×20 inches; newer 24- and 48-megapixel photos go much bigger.
01
Get the full-size file
How you move the photo matters more than anything else.
- AirDrop to a Mac: the best option. You get the original file.
- iCloud link: in Photos, tap Share → Copy iCloud Link and send us the link. It keeps full quality.
- Email: works if you choose Actual Size when Mail asks. Small, Medium and Large shrink the photo.
- Upload from your phone: you can also upload straight from your photo library on our order page.
- Avoid: iMessage, WhatsApp, Instagram and Facebook. They all compress photos, sometimes to a quarter of the size.
If your iPhone saves photos as HEIC, that's fine for us. If another service won't accept it, change Settings → Camera → Formats to Most Compatible to shoot JPEG instead.
02
Pick a size that fits the photo
The iPhone camera shoots in a 4:3 shape. Sizes in the same shape print the whole photo; anything else gets cropped.
| Print size (in) | Crop from an iPhone photo |
|---|---|
| 12×16 | None, exact fit |
| 18×24 | None, exact fit |
| 8×10, 16×20 | Trims the long side a little |
| 11×14 | Trims a little less |
| 24×36 | Trims the short side, best for landscapes |
| 24×24 | Square crop, plan the composition |
If you shot in square or 16:9 mode in the Camera app, the photo has already been cropped, so match the print to that shape instead.
03
Check how big it can go
For a print on a wall, 200 pixels per inch at the final size looks sharp. Here's roughly what each iPhone camera gives you at that standard:
| Photo size | Pixels | Sharp up to about |
|---|---|---|
| 12 MP (older iPhones, and most ultra-wide cameras) | 4032×3024 | 15×20 in |
| 24 MP (default on iPhone 15 and newer) | 5712×4284 | 21×28 in |
| 48 MP (Pro models, ProRAW or 48 MP mode) | 8064×6048 | 30×40 in |
To check yours, open the photo in Photos and swipe up: the size in megapixels and pixels is listed under the camera info. Zoomed and cropped photos have fewer pixels, so check before you choose a big size. Portrait mode and night shots can look soft when enlarged.
04
A few edits before you send it
- Turn brightness up a touch. Phone screens are much brighter than paper. A photo that looks right on the screen often prints a little dark.
- Skip heavy filters. Strong filters and over-sharpening look stronger on paper.
- Keep the original. Send the unedited file too if you want us to look at both.
05
Printing iPhone photos at IMPRESO
We print photos as giclée prints with Epson UltraChrome HDR pigment inks. Ultra Premium Luster is our go-to for photos: rich color with a soft sheen that cuts glare. Hot Press and Cold Press cotton rag suit black and white or a more matte, art-print look.
A 12×16 on Luster is $45 and an 18×24 is $70. All prices are on our pricing page. Every print gets a free file check, so if your photo is too small for the size you picked, we'll tell you before printing.
Print your photo
Upload your photo, pick a size and paper, and we'll check the file before anything prints. No minimum, 3 to 5 business days, free pickup in Ridgewood.
Build your print → See giclée printing →More guides
