Preparing print-ready files for order uploads

When a customer orders your photo, Fotomoto will automatically notify you via email and let you know if a print-ready file is needed to fulfill the order. For an overview of how Fotomoto works please see How Fotomoto works on your site - no upload needed until a customer orders

Important: we highly recommend that you order test prints to ensure that the final product offered to your customers is of the best-possible quality. We offer test prints at cost - please see How to order prints and products at cost  to find out more.

Here are our recommended specifications for print-ready images:

Supported file types

• 8-bit TIFF or JPEG.

• LZW compression on TIFF files is recommended to decrease the file size with no loss in quality.

• JPEG files should be saved at the highest quality setting.

Resolution

• Minimum image resolution: 150 dpi

• Recommended image resolution: 300 dpi

• See "Suggested Resolution for Wall Peels' below.

Aspect ratio

The aspect ratio of the high resolution file you upload should always be at the same aspect ratio as the file purchased from your website. Please do not crop the file to match the print size ordered - Fotomoto will make the proper calculations.

Color Profiles

For all print types, we recommend you convert the ICC color profile to either the ICC Adobe RGB (1998) or sRGB color profile, and embed the profile in the image. If no color profiles are attached, our system will automatically print the files as sRGB.

Color Model

RGB files only - CMYK files will fail to upload properly.

Sizing

Images should be provided at their native size as shot in the camera; we recommend that you not do any resizing yourself, rather let our print partners make any necessary adjustments.

Please be sure to use the original or highest-possible quality version of your image to generate your print files.

Borders

If you want the photo to be printed with a white or other border, add the desired border to the high resolution print file.

Brightness

Images may appear darker when printed than they do on a screen, this is because a computer screen displays projected light while prints reflect light. Sometimes you will make a test print using a consumer grade printer and these will also appear brighter than our prints will. This is because most consumer level printers auto brighten your image before printing, professional printers do not as this changes the color palette. So make sure you account for this darkening when you prepare your images.

Sharpening

We recommend you apply any desired sharpening to the print-ready image. We do not apply any sharpening filters to your images before they are printed.

Matting (framed prints only)

When your print is matted, the mat will cover approximately 1/16" of each edge of your image. To adjust for this, please make sure any "important" part of the image (such as a digital signature) is at least .25" away from the edge of the image.

Bleed (card products only)

There is a 1/10" (.10 of an inch) bleed on all card products, so this much will be trimmed off each side of your card.

Suggested Resolution for Prints

Suggested Resolution for Wall Peels

To ensure the best-possible quality product for your customers, we recommend that you use high-quality, sharp images. Note that larger print sizes are typically viewed from a distance, so while they may be pixelated when closely-inspected, the presentation may be acceptable when viewed further away.

Questions?

If you have any questions not covered above, please contact Fotomoto Support.