Print File Size Calculator
Doubling DPI quadruples the file.
Uncompressed file size
32.1 MB
8.0 MB compressed
CMYK carries a third more data than RGB for the same dimensions, which is why print files are so much larger than screen ones. Doubling the DPI quadruples the file size, because resolution scales with area rather than with a single dimension.
How the Print File Size Calculator works
CMYK carries a third more data than RGB for the same dimensions, which is why print files are so much larger than screen ones. Doubling the DPI quadruples the size, because resolution scales with area rather than with one dimension.
Also known as: how big will my print file be · TIFF file size calculator · print resolution file size
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Frequently asked questions
How do I estimate a print file size?
Total pixels times bytes per pixel. CMYK 8-bit uses four bytes; RGB 8-bit uses three; 16-bit doubles either.
Why are print files so large?
High resolution across a physical area, plus four colour channels instead of three, plus often 16-bit depth. Each factor multiplies.
Should I send compressed files to a printer?
Lossless compression such as LZW in TIFF or ZIP in PDF is fine. JPEG compression at high quality is usually acceptable and at low quality produces visible artefacts in flat colour areas.
What format do printers want?
Usually PDF with fonts embedded and images at final resolution, or TIFF for pure image work. Ask before exporting, different printers have genuinely different preferences.