Page Tiles Split & print · macOS

Page Tiles Poster size calculator

Poster size calculator

Type your picture's pixel size and either the number of sheets or the size you want. The calculator gives the sheet count, the finished size and the print quality, using the same rules as Page Tiles.

Your picture

Finder shows the pixel size under Get Info › More Info. For a PDF page, type its width and height in any unit: only the shape matters for the layout.

Finished size
Paper

You will print

9 sheets

Same rules as the app: finished size fits your picture inside the printable grid, keeps its shape, and Auto picks the orientation with fewer sheets, then less waste.

How the numbers are worked out

  • Printable area of a sheet is the paper size minus the margins. A4 with 1 cm margins leaves 19 × 27.7 cm.
  • By sheets: the grid is the printable area times the number of sheets, minus one overlap for each seam. Your picture is fitted inside, keeping its shape.
  • By size: the sheet count is the finished size, minus one overlap, divided by the printable size minus the overlap, rounded up.
  • Auto orientation works out both portrait and landscape sheets and keeps the one with fewer sheets. If they tie, it keeps the one that wastes less paper.
  • DPI is the picture’s width in pixels divided by the finished width in inches. Under 100 is Blurry, 100 to 149 Fair, 150 to 299 Good, 300 and up Sharp.

Page Tiles does the same sums live as you change settings, and shows the result on the actual picture.

Questions

Why is the finished size smaller than the sheets laid edge to edge?

Two reasons. Each sheet only prints inside its margins, and neighbouring sheets share an overlap strip. Four A4 sheets are 42 × 59.4 cm edge to edge, but with 1 cm margins and 1 cm overlap the printable area is 37 × 54.4 cm.

Does the calculator upload my picture?

No. You type the pixel size, and everything is worked out in your browser.