Photo print sizes

Standard photographic print sizes are used in photographic printing. Cut sheets of paper meant for printing photographs are commonly sold in these sizes.

They are often denoted with a code of the format nR, where the number n represents the length of the shorter edge in inches. In the normal series, the long edge is the length of the short edge plus 2 inches (10" or less) or 3 inches (11" and above). The alternative Super series, denoted SnR, has an aspect ratio of 3:2 (or as close as possible) and thus provides a better fit for standard 135 film (35mm) at sizes of 8 inches or above.

In Japan, the same print sizes (and several additional ones) are known by different names. The Japanese L is equivalent to 3R, while 2L — twice the size — matches 5R. KG represents the size of a traditional 4"×6" (4R) Japanese postcard (hagaki).[1] The nP or cut (切り kiri?) series are defined in reference to a full page size (全紙 zenshi?) of 457×560 mm, with smaller numbers (fewer cuts) indicating larger sizes.[2]

Unlike ISO 216 paper sizes, the aspect ratios of photographic prints vary, so exact scaling of prints is not always possible. However, there are some logical correspondences between the sizes, noted below when applicable.

Many of the standard sizes are the same as sheet film formats, and are appropriate for making contact sheets from these films.

Contents

Table of some common sizes

Print Japan Size (in.) Size (mm) 300ppi (pixels/in.) Aspect ratio Note
  E 3¼" × 4½ 82.5 × 120 mm 974 × 1417 px 16:11 (1.45) Size in inches is approximate
3R L 3½" × 5" 89 × 127 mm 1050 × 1500 px 10:7 (1.43) Called "9 × 13 cm" worldwide.
4R KG 4" × 6" 102 × 152 mm 1200 × 1800 px 3:2 (1.5) Standard 135 film & print size in US, Canada, Australia and India. Called "10 × 15 cm" worldwide.
4D 4.5" × 6" 114 x 152 mm 1350 x 1800 px 4:3 (1.33) New size for most consumer level digital cameras and Micro 4/3 cameras.
5R 2L 5" × 7" 127 × 178 mm 1500 × 2100 px 7:5 (1.4) Twice the size of a 3R print. Called "13 × 18 cm" worldwide.
6R 8P 6" × 8" 152 × 203 mm 1800 × 2400 px 4:3 (1.33) Twice the size of a 4R print.
8R 6P 8" × 10" 203 × 254 mm 2400 × 3000 px 5:4 (1.25) Can be used for contact prints from 8x10 film. Called "20 × 25 cm" worldwide.
S8R 6PW 8" × 12" 203 × 305 mm 2400 × 3600 px 3:2 (1.5) Closest approximation to A4 (210×297mm), twice the size of a 6R print. Called "20 × 30 cm" worldwide.
10R 4P 10" × 12" 254 × 305 mm 3000 × 3600 px 6:5 (1.2)  
S10R 4PW[3] 10" × 15" 254 × 381 mm 3000 × 4500 px 3:2 (1.5)  
11R   11" × 14" 279 × 356 mm 3300 × 4200 px 14:11 (1.27) Called "28 × 36 cm" worldwide.
S11R   11" × 17" 279 × 432 mm 3300 × 5100 px 17:11 (1.54)  
12R   12" × 15" 305 × 381 mm 3600 × 4500 px 5:4 (1.25)  
S12R   12" × 18" 305 × 457 mm 3600 × 5500 px 3:2 (1.5)  

See also

Notes and references

  1. ^ Japanese print sizes (Japanese) (Translate: Google, Babelfish)
  2. ^ Traditional Japanese Specialty Papers
  3. ^ At 368mm, the Japanese 4PW size is slightly narrower than S10R.

External links