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At 300 pixels per inch (PPI), an 8.5 × 11-inch sheet needs an image measuring 2550 × 3300 pixels in portrait orientation, or 3300 × 2550 pixels in landscape. The required pixel dimensions depend on the PPI you choose for printing.
Pixel dimensions at common print resolutions
Multiply each paper dimension in inches by the image resolution in pixels per inch: width × PPI and height × PPI. These are the resulting image dimensions for an 8.5 × 11-inch page:
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| Resolution | Portrait pixels | Landscape pixels |
|---|---|---|
| 300 PPI | 2550 × 3300 | 3300 × 2550 |
| 220 PPI | 1870 × 2420 | 2420 × 1870 |
| 150 PPI | 1275 × 1650 | 1650 × 1275 |
Adobe recommends 300 PPI for best print quality unless the printer requires a different value. It describes 300 PPI as the standard for high-quality prints and says at least 220 PPI is usually sufficient for high-quality inkjet photo prints. The right target can still depend on the printer, the image, and how far away it will be viewed. Adobe: Change print dimensions and resolution in Photoshop · Adobe: Print images in Photoshop
Set an 8.5 × 11-inch document in Photoshop
- Choose Image > Image Size.
- Set Width to 8.5 inches, Height to 11 inches, and Resolution to 300 Pixels/Inch—or enter the value specified by your printer or print shop.
- Choose whether to leave Resample enabled. With Resample off, changing print size or resolution preserves the existing pixel count; with it on, Photoshop changes the pixel data to create the requested dimensions. Adobe: Image size and resolution
- Review the print dialog and preview. Printable margins can prevent ink from reaching every edge, and scaling in the print dialog changes the printed size and effective resolution. Adobe: Print images in Photoshop
What Resample changes—and what it does not
Pixel dimensions, physical print size, and PPI are connected. If Resample is off, the number of pixels stays fixed: changing the print dimensions changes the PPI, and changing the PPI changes the physical dimensions. If you need a specific pixel width and height, resampling is what lets Photoshop add or remove pixel data to reach them.
#1 Best Overall
- 1 ream (500 sheets) of 8.5 x 11 white copier and printer paper for home or office use
- Multipurpose letter size copy paper works with laser/inkjet printers, copiers and fax machines
- Smooth 20lb weight paper for consistent ink and toner distribution; dries quickly and resists paper jams
- Bright white paper (92 GE; 104 Euro) offers great contrast for crisp printing and vivid color
- Virgin copy paper providing professional quality results; acid-free to prevent yellowing
For example, an image with fewer than 2550 × 3300 pixels can be assigned an 8.5 × 11-inch print size without resampling, but it will have a lower PPI than 300. Resampling can enlarge its pixel dimensions, but it does not restore image detail that was not present in the original.
PPI is not printer DPI
PPI describes how many image pixels are assigned to each inch of the print. DPI describes the dots a printer produces. They refer to different things: selecting a printer’s DPI setting is not the same as setting the image’s PPI. Follow the printer or print shop’s resolution instructions when they differ from the 300 PPI default.
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Rank #2
- HP Papers is sourced from renewable forest resources and has achieved production with 0% deforestation in North America. Each ream is wrapped in a polyurethane coated paper wrapper to protect the cut sheets from moisture damage
- Sheet size – 8.5 x 11; Thickness – 20 pounds; Brightness – 92 bright white
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- Superior quality, reliability, and dependability for high-volume printing at home, at school and in the office; HP Copy&Print20 print and copy paper prevents yellowing over time to ensure a long-lasting appearance for added archival quality
Check the actual printed size
A document set to 8.5 × 11 inches does not guarantee edge-to-edge printing. Check whether your printer supports borderless printing on the chosen paper, and inspect the preview for margins or automatic scaling. If the print dialog reduces or enlarges the image to fit, the final size and effective resolution will change. For older Photoshop CS releases, the same basic distinction between pixel dimensions, print dimensions, and resolution is documented in Adobe’s archived CS6 reference: Adobe Photoshop CS6: Image size and resolution.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 3 ream case (1,500 sheets) of 8.5 x 11 white copier and printer paper for home or office use
- Multipurpose letter size copy paper works with laser/inkjet printers, copiers and fax machines
- Smooth 20lb weight paper for consistent ink and toner distribution; dries quickly and resists paper jams
- Bright white paper (92 GE; 104 Euro) offers great contrast for crisp printing and vivid color
- Virgin copy paper providing professional quality results; acid-free to prevent yellowing
Rank #4
- 10 ream case (5,000 sheets) of 8.5 x 11 white copier and printer paper for home or office use
- Multipurpose letter size copy paper works with laser/inkjet printers, copiers and fax machines
- Smooth 20lb weight paper for consistent ink and toner distribution; dries quickly and resists paper jams
- Bright white paper (92 GE; 104 Euro) offers great contrast for crisp printing and vivid color
- Virgin copy paper providing professional quality results; acid-free to prevent yellowing
Rank #3
- 5 ream case (2,500 sheets) of 8.5 x 11 white copier and printer paper for home or office use
- Multipurpose letter size copy paper works with laser/inkjet printers, copiers and fax machines
- Smooth 20lb weight paper for consistent ink and toner distribution; dries quickly and resists paper jams
- Bright white paper (92 GE; 104 Euro) offers great contrast for crisp printing and vivid color
- Virgin copy paper providing professional quality results; acid-free to prevent yellowing
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