Can I skip the DPI stamp if the print shop doesn't ask for it?

No. DPI metadata is read by every professional print shop and platform. Without it, they assume 72 DPI and either reject the file or auto-upscale it (destroying quality). Always stamp 300 DPI, even for digital downloads.

What's the difference between sRGB and CMYK, and which should I use?

sRGB is for screens (Etsy listings, digital downloads, Instagram). CMYK is for offset print shops. For POD platforms like Printful, use sRGB. For traditional print shops, ask which they prefer—most now accept sRGB and convert internally.

Can I use JPG for wall art, or must I use PNG?

JPG works fine for wall art and most POD platforms. Use JPG at 90%+ quality to avoid compression artifacts. PNG is better only if you need transparency (rare for wall art) or lossless quality for artwork with text/logos.

What happens if my image dimensions are slightly off (e.g., 4790×6000 instead of 4800×6000)?

Print shops may stretch your image by 0.2%, which is usually invisible. But don't make it a habit. Use our calculator to get exact pixel counts, then crop or resize to match. Off by more than 1%? Etsy will warn you.

Do I need a bleed margin for digital-download wall art?

No. Bleed margins (extra pixels that get trimmed) are for physical print and POD (where a machine trims edges). For digital downloads sold as JPEG, no bleed needed. For POD print-on-demand, ask the platform—most require 0.125 inch bleed.

How do I know if my file meets Etsy's requirements?

Etsy requires: JPG or PNG, minimum 1200px on longest edge, sRGB color space. Our Etsy checklist guide has the complete spec. Before uploading, run this checklist and check your DPI .

Should I compress my files to make uploads faster?

JPG at 85%+ quality is fine. PNG should be lossless (no quality loss). Anything below 70% quality on JPG will show visible artifacts at print size. If your file is >50 MB, re-save at 300 DPI exactly—don't just delete pixels.

Can Ratio Ready help me check all 10 items automatically?

Yes. Our batch processor validates dimensions, applies DPI stamps, and checks color profiles automatically. Upload to Ratio Ready's clipart or wall art batch, and we verify each file against print requirements before processing.

Quality Control

Pre-Upload Checklist for Wall Art

Verify your file meets all requirements before sending to print.

MA By Mac · 4 min read · May 2, 2026 · Updated May 2, 2026

Before you upload your wall art to Etsy, POD platforms, or send to a print shop, run through this 10-item checklist. Missing even one item can result in rejected listings, blurry prints, or unsellable mockups.

This checklist covers file dimensions, DPI, color space, margins, and format—everything print shops and Etsy require. Use our pixel calculator to verify dimensions, or our DPI checker to validate metadata.

The 10-Item Checklist

Run through these 10 checks before uploading any wall art file to Etsy, print shops, or mockup generators.

Item	Requirement	How to Check
1. Dimensions	Match your frame size (e.g., 16×20 = 4800×6000px @ 300 DPI)	Use calculator
2. DPI Metadata	300 DPI stamped in file (JFIF/PNG header)	Check DPI
3. Color Space	sRGB (for screen/Etsy) OR CMYK (for print shop)	Photoshop: Image → Mode
4. File Format	JPG (lossy, smaller) OR PNG (lossless, transparency)	Check file extension
5. Margins	0.125" bleed margin on all sides (crop marks optional)	Measure from edge in Photoshop
6. Longest Edge	≥ 1024 pixels (or use upscale first)	Right-click file → Properties
7. File Size	8–50 MB acceptable (larger = slower upload)	Right-click file → Get Info
8. Transparency	PNG: no transparency OR flatten to white background	Open in preview; check background
9. Color Accuracy	No banding/posterization in gradients; sharp text	Zoom 100% in Photoshop
10. Platform Specs	Etsy: min 1200px on longest edge; other platforms vary	Platform guide

Why this matters

A file that looks good on your monitor can fail at print—blurry, pixelated, wrong colors, or rejected by the platform. This checklist prevents that. Even one missed item (e.g., low DPI, wrong color space) means a failed upload or unsellable mockup. Etsy and print shops reject files that fail these checks; some silently upscale or compress them, ruining quality. Running through this list takes 2 minutes and saves you hours of troubleshooting.

When you'd use this

Use this checklist in these scenarios:

Before uploading to Etsy. Run the 10-item check to ensure Etsy won't reject your listing photo or silently downsize it.
Before sending to a print shop. Print shops (Printful, Redbubble, Society6) have strict file requirements; this checklist catches issues before you pay for a proof.
Before generating mockups. Mockup templates expect specific dimensions and color space; files outside spec can cause smart-object replacement to fail or misalign.
Before batch processing with Ratio Ready. Our batch clipart and wall art pipelines validate files; pre-checking saves time and credits.

Common mistakes

These are the five mistakes that cause uploads to fail or produce blurry prints:

1. Forgetting the DPI stamp

You have 300 pixels/inch, but the metadata says 72 DPI. Print shops and Etsy see low DPI and reject the file or upscale it (causing pixelation). Use our DPI fixer to stamp it, or Ratio Ready's batch processor does this automatically.

2. Saving in wrong color space (RGB instead of CMYK for print)

Etsy requires sRGB; print shops often want CMYK. If you upload RGB to a print shop expecting CMYK, colors shift (reds become orange, blues become purple). Check your file in Photoshop: Image → Mode.

3. Insufficient bleed margin (printing cuts off your edge)

Print shops trim 0.125" off each edge. If your text/logo is near the edge, it gets cut. Always leave a 0.125" (36px @ 300 DPI) margin on all sides, or use guide lines.

4. Dimensions don't match the frame size (stretched or letterboxed)

16×20 requires 4800×6000px @ 300 DPI. If you upload 5000×6000px, print shops will either stretch it (distorting your image) or letterbox it (adding white borders). Use our calculator to verify before uploading.

5. PNG with unwanted transparency or JPG with compression artifacts

PNGs with transparent areas will show as white or checkerboard when printed. JPGs saved at 60% quality show visible compression blocks at large print sizes. For print, save PNG as flat image (no transparency) or use JPG at 90%+ quality.