Emma Davis Print Production Specialist at 4OVER4.COM
Emma is our prepress and print production voice, built from the knowledge of our production team, with over 20 years in printing.
Question
What file format should I use for headshot printing?
Answer
Headshots live or die on skin tone and fine detail, so your file setup matters as much as the shot itself. Send a print-ready file that holds resolution at full size and uses the color space presses actually print in.
- Format: a flattened, high-resolution PDF or JPEG is the safest choice for photo prints.
- Resolution: at least 300 DPI at the final print size, so an 8x10 should be roughly 2400x3000 pixels.
- Color mode: CMYK, not RGB, so skin tones do not shift when the file hits the press.
- Retouching: finish all edits before export, since sharpening and color work cannot be added back after printing.
| Print size | Minimum pixels at 300 DPI |
|---|---|
| 5x7 | 1500 x 2100 |
| 8x10 | 2400 x 3000 |
| 11x14 | 3300 x 4200 |
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