Make & keep
A 96dpi tag does not decide your photo strip’s print size
Understand the difference between pixels and a file’s resolution label.
An exported strip may carry a resolution label that surprises you. The label is one piece of metadata, not a substitute for the picture’s pixel dimensions or the dimensions chosen in the printer settings.
What a browser can write
MDN documents 96dpi resolution metadata in canvas exports for formats that support it. A browser-created PNG can therefore contain that value even when its pixel dimensions are sufficient for a different chosen print size.
Evidence: Technical documentation
Do the arithmetic
In our example, an image 1200 pixels wide makes a 4-inch-wide print at 300 pixels per inch. At 96 pixels per inch the same width corresponds to 12.5 inches. Neither calculation alters the 1200 source pixels. Resizing or resampling is a separate operation.
Check the output setting
Select the actual target size in the print dialogue and make a proof with scaling visible. If a service asks for a particular file setup, follow its current instructions and retain a copy of the submitted file. Do not repeatedly resave a compressed photograph just to make its displayed metadata number look more impressive.
Sources & further reading
Sources for the specific facts and product descriptions above. Our worked examples, interpretations and practical suggestions are original editorial guidance.
- MDN — HTMLCanvasElement.toBlob()Technical documentation