Sports photo print sizes and pixels at 300 dpi
Volume sports and school photography uses a handful of standard print sizes. This chart shows the pixel size each one needs at 300 dpi, which most photo labs expect, and how much of a normal camera image gets cropped to fit.
Print size chart
| Print size | Pixels at 300 dpi | Megapixels | Aspect ratio | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5 × 3.5" (wallet) | 750 × 1050 | 0.8 | 5:7 | Wallets, trader cards |
| 3.5 × 5" | 1050 × 1500 | 1.6 | 7:10 | Small prints in packages |
| 4 × 6" | 1200 × 1800 | 2.2 | 2:3 | Standard print |
| 5 × 7" | 1500 × 2100 | 3.2 | 5:7 | Packages, small memory mates |
| 8 × 10" | 2400 × 3000 | 7.2 | 4:5 | Portraits, composites, memory mates |
| 8 × 12" | 2400 × 3600 | 8.6 | 2:3 | Action shots, full-frame prints |
| 11 × 14" | 3300 × 4200 | 13.9 | 11:14 | Large team composites |
| 16 × 20" | 4800 × 6000 | 28.8 | 4:5 | Wall prints, banners for coaches |
The formula is simple: inches × 300 = pixels. A 10" side needs 3000 pixels. Landscape versions (10 × 8", 7 × 5", 14 × 11") use the same numbers turned sideways.
How much gets cropped?
Most cameras shoot in a 3:2 ratio. Prints in a different ratio cut off part of the long side of the photo:
| Print ratio | Sizes | Long side cropped |
|---|---|---|
| 2:3 | 4 × 6", 8 × 12" | None |
| 5:7 | 5 × 7", wallets | About 7% |
| 11:14 | 11 × 14" | About 15% |
| 4:5 | 8 × 10", 16 × 20" | About 17% |
That's why portraits for 8 × 10" packages need room above the head and below the chin. Frame a little loose on picture day, and crop for each size afterwards.
Team composite and memory mate sizes
| Product | Common sizes | Pixels at 300 dpi |
|---|---|---|
| Team composite | 10 × 8" landscape | 3000 × 2400 |
| Large team composite | 14 × 11" landscape | 4200 × 3300 |
| Memory mate, side by side | 10 × 8" or 7 × 5" | 3000 × 2400 or 2100 × 1500 |
| Memory mate, player card | 8 × 10" or 5 × 7" | 2400 × 3000 or 1500 × 2100 |
On a composite each headshot is small, often around 1.5" wide. That only needs about 450 pixels, so even cropped headshots from any modern camera are plenty. The team photo is the one to keep sharp, because it usually spans most of the print width.
Print file checklist
- Resolution: 300 dpi at the final size. Many labs accept less, but 300 is the safe default.
- Color: sRGB, unless your lab asks for something else.
- Format: high-quality JPEG.
- Safe area: keep names and logos at least 1/8" from the edge.
- Check your lab's specs: some products, like press-printed cards, need extra bleed around the edge.
RosterFrame exports composites and memory mates at exactly these pixel sizes, as 300 dpi sRGB JPEGs with the resolution written into the file.
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