How much resolution does a banner need?
Print resolution depends on viewing distance. The human eye resolves about one arc-minute of detail, so the farther away someone stands, the fewer pixels per inch they can actually see. This checker uses that limit with a safety margin:
| Closest viewer | Pixels per inch needed | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| 2 ft | ~200 | Flyers, business cards, handouts |
| 5 ft | ~85 | Trade-show banners, retractables |
| 10 ft | ~45 | Storefront and indoor banners |
| 25 ft+ | ~25 | Fence, roadside and building banners |
How to check an image
Divide the image's pixel width by the print width in inches. A 3000-pixel-wide image printed 6 feet (72 inches) wide is about 42 pixels per inch — right at the limit for a 10-foot view, and a little soft up close. The checker does this for both width and height, accounts for cropping when the image shape doesn't match the banner, and tells you the largest size it will print well.
My image is too small — what now?
- Ask your designer or brand owner for the original or vector logo (SVG, PDF, AI or EPS).
- Find the original photo instead of a copy downloaded from a website or social media — those are usually shrunk.
- Choose a smaller print size, or put the image smaller on the banner with text around it.
- AI upscaling can help photos, but rarely fixes logos or text — those are better redrawn as vectors.
Your image is read by your browser only and is never uploaded. Vector SVG files are always reported as print-ready, but check that they don't contain embedded low-resolution photos.