What resolution does a photo need for a canvas print?

You have a favorite photo and you're wondering whether it's big enough for a canvas? That's a fair question. A picture that looks sharp on your phone can suddenly look soft once it fills a large canvas. At the same time, resolution is only part of the answer. In this guide you'll find out what really matters, which mistakes are easy to avoid, and how to see before you order whether your photo will work.

Why resolution matters for a canvas

Resolution describes how many pixels a photo contains. The larger the format, the more those pixels are spread across the surface. On a small format like 30×20 cm you'll hardly notice. At 120×80 cm it becomes much clearer whether a picture brings enough detail.On a small canvas you'll hardly notice. On a large one it becomes much clearer whether a picture brings enough detail.

At Arturell there's one more thing to keep in mind: your photo isn't printed one to one. Our AI uses it to create a new artwork in the style you choose, for example watercolor, oil style or pencil drawing. To do that, the AI mainly needs clearly visible faces, shapes and outlines. A small, grainy photo gives it less information to build the artwork from. A clear photo gives it more.

We deliberately don't give fixed pixel numbers here. In practice, sharpness, light and framing often make more of a difference than any single number. A medium-sized, sharp photo can turn out lovelier than a large but blurry one.

Tip 1: Use the original, not a screenshot or a messenger copy

A common stumbling block isn't the camera at all, it's the journey a photo has been on. Many pictures get passed around through messaging apps like WhatsApp. Along the way the file is usually made smaller and compressed more heavily so it arrives faster. A screenshot also only saves what was on the screen at that moment, not the original photo.

Our advice:

• Use the original file from the gallery of the device the photo was taken with.
• If someone sent you the photo, ask them for the original, for example by email or through a cloud link.
• Avoid pictures that have already been edited, heavily cropped or run through filters.

Tip 2: The face needs to be sharp

With portraits of people and pets, the eyes are the first thing we look at. If they're blurry, the finished artwork feels less alive too. Before you upload, zoom into your photo and check that the eyes, nose and mouth are clearly visible. A slightly blurred background, on the other hand, is no problem at all. It often looks rather nice.

Pay attention to the framing as well. If a person is only very small in a group photo and you zoom in a lot, there are only a few pixels left for the face. A photo where the person or pet fills a large part of the frame works better.

Tip 3: Good light beats any number

Light decides how much detail a camera can capture in the first place. At dusk or in dark rooms, your phone automatically turns up its sensitivity. The result is image noise that covers fine textures.

• Daylight from the side, for example by a window, renders faces soft and clear.
• Harsh midday sun creates strong shadows under the eyes and nose.
• Backlight can look beautiful, but it often leaves faces looking dark.

Digitizing old paper photos the right way

Many people would like to turn an old family photo, or a picture of someone who has passed away, into an artwork. That works well if you digitize the photo carefully. A scanner usually gives you a very even result. If you don't have one, take a picture of the photo with your phone:

• Lay the photo flat on a table, without glass or plastic sleeves on top.
• Shoot in bright daylight, but out of direct sun, to avoid reflections.
• Hold your phone exactly parallel to the photo so nothing gets distorted.
• Fill as much of the frame with the photo as you can, instead of cropping heavily later.

Which size suits your photo

Our canvases come in sizes from 30×20 cm to 120×80 cm, each on a 4 cm deep stretcher frame.Our canvases come in a range of sizes, each on a 1.5 inch deep stretcher frame. For a smaller photo or a tight crop, a small or medium size is often the more relaxed choice. A sharp, well-lit original photo can carry large sizes too. If you're unsure, the preview will help you decide.

The free preview shows you beforehand whether it works

You don't have to order anything on a hunch. Here's how it works:

• Upload your photo
• Choose a style, for example watercolor, oil, Royal, Pop Art or pencil
• See your free preview, with a watermark and no account needed
• Only order once you love the result

Up to 5 previews are free. That way you can also compare two photos and see which one gives you the result you like more. Start your free preview hereStart your free preview here or take a look at the canvascanvas and the framed canvasframed canvas. If you'd rather have the file printed yourself, there's also the digital download.Looking for a gift instead? There's also the gift card.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use a photo from my phone?

Yes. Current phone cameras usually capture plenty of detail. What matters is that you upload the original file from your gallery, not a forwarded copy or a screenshot.

What if my photo is a little blurry?

Give it a try with the free preview. You'll see how the artwork from your photo turns out. If you don't like it, you can test a different photo or a different style.

Does an old, scanned photo work too?

Often, yes. Digitize the photo as evenly as possible and without reflections. The preview shows you whether the result matches what you had in mind before you order.