The safest product range starts with the aspect ratio of the files you intend to sell. When a file and print have different proportions, part of the image must be cropped.
Understand aspect ratio
Aspect ratio describes the relationship between an image’s width and height. For example:
- 6×4, 12×8 and 18×12 are 3:2;
- 12×9 and 16×12 are 4:3;
- 10×8 is 5:4;
- a square image is 1:1.
Orientation does not change the aspect ratio. A product shown as 6×4 can be produced as 4×6 when the file is vertical.
What happens when the ratios differ
A 3:2 file ordered as a 10×8 print must lose part of the longer dimension. A crop that looks acceptable for a loosely framed portrait may remove important content from a tightly framed image or group.
This matters particularly for class photographs, teams and other large groups. Cropping can remove someone at the edge, trim feet or place names and school branding too close to the finished edge.
Choose the safest starting range
If your individual portrait files are 3:2, a price list based mainly on 3:2 print sizes is the safest and simplest starting point. You can still offer other ratios when you have photographed with the required crop in mind and the customer can make a suitable crop during ordering.
For Client Galleries and School Galleries, avoid uploading several versions of the same photograph in different crops and relying on the customer to choose the version that matches a particular print size. The gallery uses its assigned price list, so near-identical image versions can make ordering unnecessarily confusing.
Workspace includes Class Photo and School Photo product options for shared school photographs. This allows you to offer a product such as a 10×8 class photograph when that ratio better suits the group layout and names, while continuing to offer 3:2 sizes for individual portraits.
Allow room when photographing
If you intend to sell several aspect ratios, photograph with enough space around the subject to accommodate them. Avoid composing so tightly that every alternative size removes something important.
Build price lists deliberately
- Group products with compatible aspect ratios where practical.
- Build the price list assigned to a Client Gallery or School Gallery around the files and crops that gallery contains.
- Choose the correct Class Photo or School Photo products for marked shared photographs.
- Review the products selected by the price-list pre-population tool and remove unsuitable sizes.
See How to create and set up a Gallery Price List.
When an art store offers image variants
Some photographers deliberately sell more than one interpretation of the same image in a Print Shop—for example, a panoramic version and a square version. If this is part of your art-store offer, place the variants in clearly defined collections and name or describe them so customers can understand the difference.
Use the appropriate product range or price list for each collection. Avoid presenting near-identical crops together without explanation, as customers may not know which version suits the product they want.
Check the customer crop
Workspace provides a product and crop preview during ordering. Review representative files from the customer view, especially tightly framed portraits and group photographs. Do not assume customers will recognise that a different product ratio changes the composition.
Use current product availability
Available sizes, papers and products can change. Use the current Product Builder and Queensberry pricing tools as the authoritative list rather than relying on a fixed table of sizes in a Help Centre article.
