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.
Size names
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 (35 mm) 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.
Common sizes
| US code | JP code | Alias | Size (in. & mm) |
Pixels at 300 PPI | Aspect ratio | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wallet | 2 × 3 (51 × 76) | 600 × 900 | 3:2 (1.5) | |||
| 2R | Wallet | 2½ × 3½ (63.5 × 89) | 750 × 1050 | 7:5 (1.4) | older standard | |
| E | 3¼ × 4½ (82.5 × 120) | 974 × 1417 | 16:11 (1.45) | Size in inches is approximate. | ||
| 3R | L | 9 × 13 cm, B7, Enprint[3] |
3½ × 5 (89 × 127) | 1050 × 1500 | 10:7 (1.43) | |
| Chou #4 | 3.5 × 8.1 (90 × 205) | 1050 × 2430 | 16:7 (2.29)[lower-alpha 1] | envelope size | ||
| PC | Hagaki, A6 | 3.9 × 5.8 (100 × 148) | 1170 × 1740 | 3:2 (1.5)[lower-alpha 1] | postcard size | |
| 4R | KG | 10 × 15 cm | 4 × 6 (102 × 152) | 1200 × 1800 | 3:2 (1.5) | standard 135 film & print size |
| 4D, 6D | 4½ × 6 (114 × 152) | 1350 × 1800 | 4:3 (1.33) | new size for most consumer level digital cameras and Micro 4/3 cameras[4] | ||
| Chou #3 | 4.7 × 9.3 (120 × 235) | 1410 × 2790 | 2:1 (2.0)[lower-alpha 1] | envelope size | ||
| 5R | 2L | 13 × 18 cm, B6 | 5 × 7 (127 × 178) | 1500 × 2100 | 7:5 (1.4) | twice the size of a 3R print |
| Ofuku Hagaki, A5 | 5.8 × 7.9 (148 × 200) | 1740 × 2370 | 4:3 (1.33)[lower-alpha 1] | postcard size | ||
| 6R | 8P | 15 × 20 cm | 6 × 8 (152 × 203) | 1800 × 2400 | 4:3 (1.33) | twice the size of a 4R print |
| 18 × 24 cm | 7 × 9½ (178 × 240) | 2100 × 2850 | 19:14 (1.36) | for B&W paper | ||
| 8R | 6P | 20 × 25 cm | 8 × 10 (203 × 254) | 2400 × 3000 | 5:4 (1.25) | Can be used for contact prints from 8×10 film. |
| S8R | 6PW | 20 × 30 cm | 8 × 12 (203 × 305) | 2400 × 3600 | 3:2 (1.5) | closest approximation to A4 (210×297mm), twice the size of a 6R print |
| 24 × 30 cm | 9½ × 12 (240 × 305) | 2850 × 3600 | 24:19 (1.26) | for B&W paper | ||
| 10R | 4P | 10 × 12 (254 × 305) | 3000 × 3600 | 6:5 (1.2) | ||
| S10R | 4PW | 10 × 15 (254 × 381) | 3000 × 4500 | 3:2 (1.5) | At 14½ in (368 mm), the Japanese 4PW size is slightly shorter than S10R. | |
| 11R | 28 × 36 cm | 11 × 14 (279 × 356) | 3300 × 4200 | 14:11 (1.27) | ||
| S11R | 11 × 17 (279 × 432) | 3300 × 5100 | 17:11 (1.55) | |||
| 12R | 12 × 15 (305 × 381) | 3600 × 4500 | 5:4 (1.25) | |||
| 30 × 40 cm | 12 × 16 (305 × 406) | 3600 × 4800 | 4:3 (1.33) | for B&W paper | ||
| S12R | 12 × 18 (305 × 457) | 3600 × 5400 | 3:2 (1.5) |
See also
References
- ↑ Japanese print sizes (in Japanese) (Translate to English: Google, Bing)
- ↑ "Traditional Japanese Specialty Papers". Edsebooks.com. 2004-01-15. Retrieved 2014-06-02.
- ↑ "enprints" – via The Free Dictionary.
- ↑ "Big Print You, Unique Photo Sizes & Square Photos". RitzPix.com. Retrieved 2014-06-02.