12in x 12in square prints
Square prints look best in groups. At 305mm a side, a single print is modest, while nine together can fill a wall for far less than one large piece.
Think in grids.
A square has no top-heavy direction, so a run of them lines up with a calm, graphic look. It is a popular way to show holiday pictures, a family year, a set of product photos or a series of paintings. A grid also solves the problem of how to get something large on a wall when no single image is big enough.
Working out a grid
A 12in print is 304.8mm square. Here is how much wall different layouts take, with a 50mm gap between prints.
| Layout | Total width | Total height |
|---|---|---|
| 2 x 2 (4 prints) | 660mm | 660mm |
| 3 x 3 (9 prints) | 1,014mm | 1,014mm |
| 4 x 2 (8 prints) | 1,369mm | 660mm |
| 6 x 1 (6 prints) | 2,079mm | 305mm |
The sum is the number of prints times 304.8mm, plus the number of gaps times 50mm. So three across is 914.4mm plus 100mm, which is just over a metre. If you frame the prints, add the frame width on each side. Tighter gaps of 20mm to 30mm look more like a single piece, while wider gaps look more like a collection.
The money
Grids are where the quantity rates really work, since nine different pictures count as nine prints of one size. There is a £35 minimum on large format poster printing as well, so a full grid usually makes better sense than one print. Ask us if you are close to it.
| Quantity | Price each |
|---|---|
| 1 print | £5.50 |
| 5+ prints | £4.50 |
| 20+ prints | £3.50 |
Guide prices from our price list. They exclude VAT and delivery and assume print-ready artwork.
Will your file hold up?
Here is the classic mistake with square prints. Images saved from social media are often only about 1,080 pixels wide, and at 12 inches that gives you 90 pixels per inch. It will look soft in your hand. A proper camera or phone original, cropped square, has about 3,000 pixels or more on each side, which gives you 250 pixels per inch or better. So go back to the file on your phone and not the copy that was posted.
Cropping a rectangle into a square loses more than people expect. A 3:2 camera file gives up a third of its width, and it is usually better to compose with that in mind. Look at each image to check that the subject still sits comfortably. Our guide to enlarging a phone photo can help with the numbers.
Is it a record sleeve?
Not quite. An LP sleeve is a little over 12in, at about 315mm, and frames sold for sleeves are that size too. A 12in print will sit loose in one, so use a frame made for 12in prints, or a mount. It is worth measuring before you buy. For square frames in general, look at the inside size and not the outside.
Hanging a grid
Lay the prints on the floor first, and shuffle them until the colours balance. Then draw the grid on paper, and mark the top left corner of each on the wall with low-tack tape. Use a spirit level on the first row. Any error in a grid is obvious, as your eye sees the gaps.
Images in groups.
Your questions.
What is 12 x 12 inches in centimetres?
It is 30.48cm square. Our price list rounds that to 30cm, so use exact figures if you are buying frames.
Can you crop my pictures to square for me?
If you tell us what to keep, our design team can help. Doing the crop yourself gives you control over each image, and it is usually quicker.
Can I mix gloss and matt in a grid?
You can, but it will look uneven. Use one finish for a whole group.