What is Aspect Ratio?
Aspect ratio is the proportional relationship between the width and height of an image. The first number represents the width, and the second number represents the height. For example: digital photos often have a 2:3 aspect ratio, meaning the width is two-thirds of the height. An 8x10 print uses a different aspect ratio, which may lead to cropping portions of the image.
Here are some more examples:
A square image has a 1:1 aspect ratio. The width and the height are the same.
A wide image might have a 16:9 ratio. The width is greater than the height.
Aspect ratio does not represent the physical size of the object, only the relationship between the width and height. This means an image with a 2:1 aspect ratio can be printed in a number of different print sizes, but the printed width would always be twice the printed height.
Why It Matters
The aspect ratio of a photo affects if and how a photo gets cropped when printed. If the original photo and the chosen print size have the same aspect ratio, nothing will need to be cropped. If the print size has a different aspect ratio, an edge will need to be cropped.
Canvas prints often encounter a unique type of cropping where parts of the image are folded over the edges of the canvas. This can affect important details close to the edges of the photo.
When creating orders in the shop, remember:
Some print sizes might cut off the top, bottom, or sides of your photo.
This could remove important parts, like a person’s face or details near the edges.
Canvas prints may fold over the edges, potentially obscuring parts of the image. Choosing border options such as black or white can help preserve the photo's important elements.
What can I do about it?
If the aspect ratio of the original photo does not match the aspect ratio of your chosen print size, you have two options:
1. Crop your photo so that it matches the aspect ratio of your chosen print size. Learn how to adjust cropping in the Product Editor.
2. In some cases, cropping the photo will lose important details in the photo and not give a desirable result. In these cases, we recommend choosing a different print size from the shop that has a closer aspect ratio to the original photo.
Please Note: Once an order is placed, the crop and image size cannot be changed.
Aspect Ratio Across Various Print Sizes
Below is an example of how various print sizes would look on one photo. Some of the print sizes would lose a significant part of the subject unless the cropping is adjusted.