What pixel dimmensions are required for a clear 4x6" print?

Can anyone tell me what pixel dimmensions I'm safe cropping to for

clear images that will never be blown up over 4x6"?

 

The photos were taken at a recent wedding with a D70 at 2000x3000

pixels, and as I'm editing them, there are a number of shots that

might really get interesting if I crop dramatically. They'll be

printed by a local lab.

 

Am I safe cropping down to 1000x1500 or 1200x1800 for shots that

won't be blown up above 4x6"? Does anyone have a rule of thumb for

minimun pixel dimmensions?

 

Thanks for your help.

 

-Adam

I assume you're happy with full resolution (2Kx3K) images at 8x12? It doesn't make any difference if you crop in photoshop or with a pair of scissors, so 1000x1500 will make 4x6's of identical quality.

I think 300dpi is pretty standard, so 1200x1800 would be good. My lab says they can work with 150dpi files, but I've never tried printing a 4x6 at that res.

Our small printer will accept up to 600 ppi; but usually we use 400ppi for mapping; and 300 to 360 for photos; if a 4x6; 5x7; 8x10; etc print.

Mark and William, thank you very much. The logic of your posts is exactly how I came up with the two figures of 1000x1500 and 1200x1800. I appreciate the confirmation!

 

Best to all,

Adam

The print size you will get is determined by the image dimensions in pixels divided by the printer setting in pixels per inch.<P>

 

A 1800 x 1200 image printed at 300 ppi would give you a 6 x 4 inch print.<P>

1800/300 x 1200/300 = 6 x 4 inch.<P>

I print 4x6's to my Frontier shop all the time. It's 1800x1200 for optimum results off that machine.