How do you increase pixels on a photo? This is one question that all of us ask, especially when we try to make our images look good and are about to do the final stage i.e. getting ready for print.
The quality and clarity of an image depend primarily on the pixel count or image resolution. Resolution stands for the number of pixels in an area. Dots pixels are small little dots that make a digital image. Pixel count is what makes images look better when printed, the higher the pixel count better the quality of an image. Additionally, getting clean, print-quality outputs entails upscaling an image or adding more pixels to it. Whether you want to take a photo and print it onto a large poster or just improve the image quality, knowing how to properly increase pixels can be a game-changer.
This post will discuss how to increase pixels on a Photo for printing, the best ways to preserve quality, and different approaches for upscaling images.
There are dedicated upscaling tools in Photoshop that can be very effective. If you are changing the resolution and size of your photo, use the Image Size tool, but when resizing consider using more advanced options like Bicubic Smoother or Preserve Details 2.0 (improves image quality with the help of graphic algorithms). Additionally, photos can be automatically upscaled using Adobe Photoshop AI features and this maintains the details and alignment otherwise rendered unrecognizable.
Image Resolution and Pixels Explained
Image resolution refers to the details an image holds and is typically indicated with pixels. After all, an image has more pixels than words and can often describe much more in greater detail. This is especially important for print because a picture will often be upscaled when printed, and a low-resolution image can give a pixelated or jaggy result. Conversely, a high-resolution image will ensure that as the file is upscaled or downsized, thus enabling it remains intact
You see, like the small, individual mosaic tile, pixels are also those tiny individual squares you need to create an image in a digital form. A higher the number of pixels that are there in an image, and the clarity of it will also be good. This allows for more detail to be shown, which is critical in making prints look clean and sharp. For example, if you print out a poster-sized picture with fewer pixels, the details could seen blocky or blurry. More pixels means more of the fine details and sharp edges in your printed photographs.
How to Increase Pixels on a Photo and Upscale Image for Printing in Photoshop
For users of Photoshop, this means that in order to prevent a picture from becoming soft and losing detail, a specific amount of pixels must always be added when it is upscaled for printing. To make your image print-ready, increase its pixel count by following these steps. How to upscale a photo, in Photoshop From Web Size To Print
Step 1: Open Your Image in Photoshop
- Launch Photoshop and open the image you want to upscale by selecting File > Open and browsing for your file.
Step 2: Access the Image Size Tool
Go to the top menu and click Image > Image Size. This opens the Image Size dialog box where you can adjust the image’s resolution, dimensions, and pixels.
Step 3: Check the Current Resolution and Dimensions
You can see your image’s current Width, Height, and Resolution in the Image Size dialog box. As 300 pixels per inch (PPI) is the standard for excellent prints, be sure that’s how your resolution is set if you’re printing.
Step 4: Set the New Dimensions
You can enter your desired Width and Height in the right fields. You can change the size in inches, centimeters, or pixels. You’ll typically enter the size in inches (70×40 inches) for print.
Photoshop will automatically calculate the new pixel dimensions based on your entries.
Step 6: Choose a Resampling Method
From the Resample dropdown menu, select one of the following methods:
Bicubic Smoother (best for enlarging): This is ideal for upscaling images while maintaining smoothness and minimizing pixelation.
Preserve Details 2.0: For the highest quality results, use this AI-powered option, which intelligently enhances image sharpness and reduces artifacts during upscaling.
Step 7: Preview and Adjust
Check the Preview box to see a real-time preview of your edited image as you work.
To check details and make sure the image keeps its quality and sharp edges, you can zoom in.
Step 9: Save the Upscaled Image
Once you’re satisfied with the new size and quality, save your file in a format suitable for printing:
For high-quality prints, select File > Save As and choose a format like TIFF or PNG.
If you plan to do further editing or save it for professional print use, saving it as a PSD file ensures you retain layers and full quality.
Step 10: Set Up for Printing
Finally, check that your Color Profile is set to CMYK if you’re sending the image to a professional printer. You can adjust this under Edit > Convert to Profile, choosing a CMYK profile that matches your printer’s requirements.
Final Thoughts
This is the best way for people who like to print high-quality photos to learn how to increase pixels in a photo and photoshop. Utilize the advanced options in Photoshop, like Image Size and resampling choices to upscale your images properly (without losing many details), by understanding the relationship between pixels, resolution and image size. Whether you’re touching up an older photo or prepping it for large format printing, these are steps to take you from a blurry cell phone photo to a sharp and professional print every time. Experiment with different resampling techniques, adjust your work as needed and remember to save in the proper file format before printing.
Using these expert tips for high-resolution printing, you can upscale with confidence; thus delivering prints that present fine details and vibrant colors through following the guide on how to increase resolution in a photo or upscale an image for print in Photoshop, be it a personal or professional project. You can even learn about boosting an image resolution and utilizing the assets of Photoshop to ensure your images are print-ready regardless of scale & footer.
