The quality of your portrait print starts with the photo you choose. A great print from a poor photo is not possible — the print only amplifies what is already there. Choosing the right photo and preparing it correctly for printing is the most important step in getting a result you will be proud of.
At The Custom ZM in Lusaka, we work with clients to select and prepare photos for printing every day. Here is our complete guide to choosing the best photo for your portrait print.
Resolution — The Most Critical Factor
Resolution determines how sharp your print looks at size. Higher resolution means more detail, sharper edges, and better colour reproduction at large sizes. Lower resolution prints well at small sizes but may appear soft or pixelated at large format.
Rule of thumb: for prints up to 60×40cm, a photo from any modern smartphone at full camera resolution works well. For 70×50cm to 90×70cm, you need at least 8MP at full resolution — most smartphones from 2018 onwards meet this. For 100×70cm and above, 12MP or higher at full resolution is ideal. Professional camera files work at all sizes.
Do not send screenshots. Do not send images downloaded from social media. These are compressed and will print poorly. Send the original file from your camera roll at full resolution.
Lighting — The Second Most Important Factor
Well-lit photos print beautifully. Poorly lit photos print the darkness and noise that is invisible on a phone screen but visible at large format. The best portrait lighting is natural light — a subject photographed near a window in indirect sunlight, or outdoors on an overcast day where the light is even and soft.
Avoid photos taken in very dark environments with phone flash — flash creates harsh shadows and colour casts. Avoid backlit photos where the subject is silhouetted against a bright background. If the photo looks well-lit on your phone screen, it will print well.
Sharpness — The Subject Must Be in Focus
Motion blur and focus blur both become more visible at larger print sizes. The subject of the portrait — especially their face — must be sharp. Zoom in on the photo at full resolution on your phone and check: is the face sharp? Is there any blur? If the face is sharp at full zoom on your phone screen, it will print sharply.
Composition — How the Subject Fills the Frame
For a portrait print, the subject should fill a significant portion of the frame. A person photographed from far away, small in the centre of a large empty background, loses impact at print size. The closer the subject is to the camera and the more they fill the frame — the more powerful the print.
Sending Us the Photo
WhatsApp The Custom ZM at +260574638038. Send the original photo at full resolution — not a screenshot, not a compressed version. If you are choosing between multiple photos, send both and we advise on which will produce the better print at your chosen size.
We check every photo before printing and advise on any issues. We do not proceed with a print that will not meet our standard — we tell you and suggest alternatives or adjustments.
Chester House, 5th Floor, Room 59B, Cairo Road, Lusaka. Monday to Saturday, 8AM to 6PM.
See portrait work on Instagram, Facebook, and our portfolio.