Digital downloads are a great way to offer affordable wall art that is easy to print. However, you need to know what type of paper to use for the best quality results.

There are several different options for printing digital downloads, including at home, on an online platform or at a local print shop. We’ve shared some of the pros and cons of each so you can decide which is best for your needs.

Printing Options

When it comes to printing a digital download, there are a number of options available. These can include printing the digital download at home, using a local print shop or uploading it to an online site. Each of these options will vary based on the type of product being printed and what paper is used.

For example, if you have a digital download that is 8.5′′ x 11′′, you can print it at home as long as you have the correct paper and ink. However, this is not recommended if you are printing something like wall art or invitations because the quality of the home printer will likely be low and your print may not look as nice as it could.

Instead, you should consider using a professional print shop that can offer high-quality output. They will have a wide variety of paper types to choose from and can even make custom framing and matting for your prints!

If you are planning to print your digital download at a local print shop, be sure to choose a good quality paper. Often, this will depend on the medium being printed, but most professional print shops can offer an assortment of paper types that work well with specific art forms.

Another important factor to consider is the print size and aspect ratio. This will determine the best way to print your digital download. This will help you get the best possible result and ensure that the design fits properly on the paper.

For example, you will want to choose a print size that is large enough to fit your design on the paper, but not so big that it would take up all of the page space. This will save you money in the long run and allow you to print fewer sheets of paper.

Finally, you will need to decide if you want your prints to be double-sided or not. This will affect the amount of ink that you use and how long it will take for the print to dry.

If you have a large print that needs to be shipped, you can always opt for a company that offers shipping with tracking. These companies typically have a lower price point than other options and are able to provide you with an accurate estimate of your order. This can be a great option for customers that are in a hurry to receive their art.

Formats

A digital download is a file that you can purchase online and then download to your computer. You can then print it as many times as you want. This is especially handy for items like printable planners, stickers and gift cards.

Digital files can come in a variety of formats, so it’s important to know which one is best for your printing needs. This will ensure that your print is perfect and that it comes out just how you intended it.

JPEG is the most common image format, and it’s a good option for prints since it’s a compressed raster (pixel-based) file type. It’s also very simple to adjust the compression levels on a JPEG, which can help improve print quality.

PNG is another lossless bitmap image file format that is popular for web graphics. This file type is also compatible with printing, and it’s often used for logos or clipart, as well as mugs and t-shirts.

PDF is a highly compatible and universal file format that lets you distribute documents without compromising their integrity. This format is the preferred choice for printing large-scale graphics, such as posters, postcards and brochures, because it preserves a high degree of detail when resized.

TIFF is a raster file format that’s often used for photography and photo printing. This format is known for its lossless compression and high-quality images, which makes it a great choice for delivering professional quality photos.

EPS is another vector file format that is commonly used for printing illustrations and logo work. It’s a highly compatible format that can be easily resized to any size and still retain a high level of detail.

SVG is another vector graphics file format that can be resized and scaled without losing the quality of the file. It’s also a universal format that can be opened and edited in most software programs, making it an ideal option for printing your digital design.

Each format has its pros and cons, so it’s important to choose the one that best suits your printing needs. It’s especially important to select a format for your digital designs that’s compatible with the type of printer you’re using.

Sizes

If you’re printing a digital download, you have many options to choose from. The file size, resolution, and aspect ratio of the image are all important factors. It’s also important to consider your target market and the type of print you want to sell.

Most Etsy sellers offer digital prints in a range of sizes and ratios. One Etsy seller said that the most popular sizes for her prints are 5″ x 7″, 8″ x 10″, and 11″ x 14″. Another artist told us she offers a wide variety of file sizes, including 11″ x 16″ and 16″ x 20″.

While it’s tempting to create as many different size ratios as possible, you may find that this doesn’t work well for your prints. A few common ratios include 4:3, 5:6, and 8:10.

The pixel dimensions of the image are also crucial to printing it in its best quality. Hover over the image on your computer and click “Get Info.” This will bring up a dialog box with the pixel dimensions of the image.

You can then use this information to determine which file sizes will fit your image. In most cases, it’s a good idea to offer a range of options so that you can satisfy your customers’ needs and increase your chances of selling.

Using a combination of high-resolution files and different ratios is an effective way to ensure that your art prints look their best. This strategy can help you stand out among other Etsy artists and will give your customers a better experience as well.

While digital downloads can be more expensive than physical products, they’re often easier to produce and have more versatility. This is especially true when it comes to printing. If you’re selling a high-resolution digital download, it’s a good idea to send it to a professional printer so that you can get it printed and delivered to your customers as soon as possible.