A2 poster pixels at common print resolutions
An A2 sheet is 420 × 594 mm, or about 16.54 × 23.39 inches. Raster artwork at 300 pixels per inch needs at least 4,961 × 7,016 pixels at trim size. The dimensions below round each edge up to the next whole pixel. Width and height in the table are for a portrait poster. Swap the figures for landscape orientation.
| Image resolution | Width | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 150 PPI | 2,481 px | 3,508 px |
| 200 PPI | 3,308 px | 4,678 px |
| 240 PPI | 3,969 px | 5,613 px |
| 300 PPI | 4,961 px | 7,016 px |
How to calculate poster resolution
Divide the printed dimension in millimeters by 25.4 to get inches, then multiply by the target pixels per inch. Calculate both axes. If artwork must extend beyond trim, add two bleed allowances to each axis before doing that conversion. For example, 3 mm on all edges makes the full artwork area 426 × 600 mm. At 300 PPI, that requires at least 5,032 × 7,087 pixels.
Printers often use “DPI” informally when describing the raster artwork they want. The image calculation uses PPI, the number of image pixels spread across an inch of final output. The ink or toner dots a printer places have their own device resolution. Check which figure your print provider is asking for, particularly when the driver advertises a much higher number than the artwork checklist.
Worked example for a 4,000 × 6,000 pixel photo
At 420 mm wide, 4,000 pixels provide about 242 PPI. At 594 mm high, 6,000 pixels would provide about 257 PPI across the long edge if you forced the image to span both axes independently. Since the photo and page have different proportions, scale the image evenly and choose whether to crop or add a border. To fill the sheet without stretching, the width sets the scale and a portion of the image height is cropped. The resulting poster is about 242 PPI.
If the print provider needs true 300 PPI at A2 and the source image falls short, ask whether it accepts a lower effective resolution for the intended viewing distance. You can also use a larger original, change the crop or layout, or print smaller. Enter your actual post-crop pixel dimensions and output size in the image DPI checker to compare candidate crops.
Common preparation mistakes
A file marked “300 DPI” in its metadata can still fall below the target at A2. Check actual pixel dimensions and the size at which the image is placed. Resampling can increase the count numerically, but it cannot recover details that were never captured. If a poster combines several photos, check each important image individually at its placed size. Full-page pixel dimensions do not tell you the resolution of a small photo that has been enlarged inside the composition.
Keep type and logos as vectors when the print workflow supports it. Ask whether the provider wants bleed, trim marks, embedded fonts, or a particular PDF preset. Include bleed for artwork that touches the edge, and keep important text away from the final cut according to the supplied template.
Frequently asked questions
Is 150 PPI enough for A2?
It may suit a poster seen at a distance, depending on its detail and the printer’s requirements. Confirm with your provider before sending the file.
Does landscape change the total pixels?
It swaps width and height. At the same resolution and bleed, the pixel count is the same.
How do I check a cropped image?
Use the actual pixels left after cropping and the size the cropped image will occupy on paper. Check both axes.
Does bleed change the finished size?
The finished A2 size remains 420 × 594 mm. Bleed adds image area beyond the trim edge for cutting.
For another worked reference, see PrintScale’s A2 poster resolution guide.