PNG, JPEG and Pixel Dimensions: What to Check Before You Buy

THE STUDIO JOURNAL

File specifications tell you how an artwork can fit your project. Look beyond the preview and check the original format, pixel dimensions and background information before purchasing.

PNG does not always mean transparent

PNG supports transparency, but a PNG file can also have an opaque background. Our product specifications state whether the original background is transparent or opaque. A preview displayed on white is not, by itself, proof of either.

JPEG is useful for complete scenes

JPEG stores a flat image without an alpha transparency channel. It is commonly used for illustrations and scenes intended to fill a rectangular area. Choose the supplied format based on your design software and the requirements of the final project.

Pixels determine the available image detail

A 6144 × 6144 pixel image is square. At 300 pixels per inch, its dimensions correspond to approximately 20.48 × 20.48 inches before cropping. This is a calculation, not a guarantee of print quality: the artwork, substrate, printer and viewing distance also matter.

Check the provider’s template

Before printing or uploading to a POD service, check the required dimensions, bleed, safe area and colour workflow. Avoid stretching a rectangular image into a square. Inspect your final layout and order a proof when appropriate.

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