Photo Posters

What is a photo poster?
A photo poster is a high-quality print designed for photographic images, artwork and wall display. It is printed on photo paper rather than standard poster paper, giving a smoother finish and better image detail.

What are photo posters best used for?
They are ideal for photography, framed prints, art prints, exhibitions, gallery displays, gifts, branded wall displays, retail interiors, portfolios and personal wall art.

What paper do you use?
Photo posters are printed on 210gsm photographic paper. This gives a smooth finish and helps reproduce detail, colour and tonal range clearly.

Should I choose matt or gloss?
Matt is best if you want a softer, less reflective finish. Gloss gives a brighter, shinier result and can make colours look more vivid. The best choice depends on how and where the print will be displayed.

Are photo posters suitable for framing?
Yes. Photo posters work well in standard poster frames, especially when supplied at common A-sizes. If you are using a frame with a mount, check the visible area before setting up your artwork.

Can I add a white border around my photo?
Yes. A white border can give the print the look of a mounted image and helps draw attention to the photograph or artwork. Make sure the border is included in your supplied artwork.

What sizes are available?
Standard sizes include A4, A3, A2 and A1. Custom sizes may be available on request.

Can I print portrait and landscape photos?
Yes. Photo posters can be printed in portrait or landscape orientation.

Are photo posters suitable for outdoor use?
No. Photo posters are best suited to indoor display. For outdoor or waterproof poster use, choose a waterproof poster material or a suitable display board.

Can these be mounted onto board?
This product is supplied as a poster print. If you need a rigid display board, our Mounted Posters are a better option.

Can photo posters be laminated?
No. Lamination is not offered on this product. Choose matt or gloss photo paper depending on the finish you prefer.

Can I print artwork or illustrations instead of photographs?
Yes. Photo posters are suitable for artwork, digital illustration, posters and image-led designs, as long as the file is supplied at a suitable resolution.

What resolution should my image be?
For best results, images should be 300dpi at the final printed size. Low-resolution images may appear soft, blurry or pixelated, especially at larger sizes.

Can I use a phone photo?
Yes, but the result depends on the quality of the original image. Photos from newer phones can work well, but screenshots, compressed images and images downloaded from social media are often too low in quality for large prints.

How do I know if my image is good enough?
Check the pixel dimensions of the image and avoid enlarging small files too much. If you are unsure, send us the file and we can advise whether it is suitable for the size you want.

What file format should I supply?
A print-ready PDF is preferred. High-quality JPEG or TIFF files may also be suitable for photographic prints, as long as the image is high resolution.

Do I need bleed and crop marks?
If your image or background runs to the edge, please include bleed and crop marks where possible. This helps avoid unwanted white edges after trimming.

Should I supply artwork in CMYK?
CMYK is preferred for print, but photographic files are often supplied in RGB. Please be aware that colours may shift slightly when converted for print.

Will my photo print exactly as it looks on screen?
Not always. Screens are backlit and use RGB colour, while print uses ink or photographic output on paper. Some colour and brightness variation is normal.

Can I design my photo poster in Canva?
Yes. Export your design as a PDF Print file with crop marks and bleed selected. Canva files are usually RGB, so colours may change slightly when converted for print.

How are photo posters supplied?
Photo posters are usually supplied flat for smaller sizes or rolled for larger sizes, depending on the finished size and quantity.

Can SM1 check my artwork before print?
Yes. We can check supplied files and flag obvious issues such as low resolution, incorrect size, missing bleed or poor image quality. If the file needs editing or retouching, we can quote for artwork support.