3 Keys to Sharp Photo Buttons

DPI & Size

300 DPI at final size is ideal (higher is fine). See pixel chart below for each button size.

Crop for the Circle

Keep faces/text inside the safe-zone and away from the crimped rim. Leave extra headroom on portraits.

Boost Contrast

Nudge exposure/contrast so subjects pop. Avoid dark, muddy images; use simple backgrounds if possible.

Need help? We’ll review layout, safe-zone, and contrast on every order. Ask for File Help

Recommended DPI & Minimum Pixels

Use 300 DPI at the final button face. Add ~0.25″ total bleed to your canvas so backgrounds wrap cleanly.

Size Min Pixels (Face @300 DPI) Working Canvas w/ Bleed (+0.25″)
Round 1″ 300 × 300 375 × 375
Round 1.25″ 375 × 375 450 × 450
Round 1.5″ 450 × 450 525 × 525
Round 1.75″ 525 × 525 600 × 600
Round 2.25″ 675 × 675 750 × 750
Round 2.5″ 750 × 750 825 × 825
Round 3″ 900 × 900 975 × 975
Round 3.5″ 1050 × 1050 1125 × 1125
Round 4″ 1200 × 1200 1275 × 1275
Round 6″ 1800 × 1800 1875 × 1875
Square 1.5″ 450 × 450 525 × 525
Square 2″ 600 × 600 675 × 675
Rectangle 2″×3″ 600 × 900 675 × 975

Higher DPI (e.g., 600) is OK. We’ll scale down as needed.

Choose Your Size Open Size Guide

Cropping for Circles (and Squares/Rects)

Portraits

  • Headroom: Leave extra space above hairlines; avoid trimming chins/foreheads.
  • Eye line: Place eyes on the upper third for balance.
  • Safe-zone: Keep faces & text ~3–4 mm inside the edge (away from the crimp).

Logos & Text

  • Short beats long: Prefer short names/slogans in bold weights.
  • Curved type: If you arc text, enlarge tracking and keep it off the rim.
  • Squares/Rectangles: Keep margins even; avoid crowding corners.

We can nudge crops for you during proofing — add notes at checkout.

Colour & Contrast

Brighten & Pop

Gently raise exposure and contrast; add a touch of clarity. Avoid heavy filters that crush shadows or clip highlights.

Backgrounds

Simple, solid backgrounds keep the subject clear. Busy scenes can look muddy on smaller sizes.

Colour Space

sRGB is preferred. We print CMYK; we’ll handle conversion with consistent results.

File Formats & Export

Best Choices

JPG (high quality, sRGB) or PNG for graphics/flat colour. PDF/AI welcome for logo overlays.

Avoid

Screenshots or heavily compressed images — artifacts soften fine detail.

Naming

Include size and notes in filename (e.g., Team-Photo_3in_bright.jpg).

Ask for Export Settings

Step-by-Step: From Phone to Pin

1) Pick Your Size

See the pixel chart, then choose a size that fits your crop (faces do great at 2.25–3″).

2) Tidy the Photo

Straighten, brighten, boost contrast. Remove heavy filters.

3) Crop with Safe-Zone

Center the subject; leave headroom and margin from the edge.

4) Export

sRGB JPG (high quality) at 300 DPI. Add ~0.25″ total bleed.

5) Upload

Upload during checkout as JPG/PNG/PDF/AI. Add notes if you want us to tweak.

6) Proof & Print

We’ll review safe-zone/contrast and press in 2–3 business days.

Make Photo Buttons See Photo Examples

Ready to Print Your Photo Buttons?

Upload your images and we’ll handle the rest — proofing, pressing, and fast shipping. No minimums.

Photo Buttons — FAQ

What DPI do I need for sharp photo buttons?

300 DPI at final size is ideal (higher is fine). Use our pixel chart above; add ~0.25″ total bleed to the canvas.

How should I crop portraits for round buttons?

Leave extra headroom, keep eyes near the upper third, and keep faces/text inside the safe-zone (away from the crimped rim).

Which file format and colour space should I export?

Export JPG (high quality) or PNG in sRGB. We’ll convert to CMYK for print.

Will my phone photo print okay?

Usually yes. Most modern phones exceed the pixel counts above. Avoid screenshots/compressed images; brighten and add contrast before exporting.

Can you adjust my photo during proofing?

Yes — we can nudge crops, check safe-zones, and flag exposure/contrast issues. Add notes at checkout.