4,000 PPI Slide Scanning: What It Means & Why It Matters
Our standard 35mm slide scans are made at a true 4,000 pixels-per-inch (PPI) and include expert Photoshop work on every image—ideal for large prints, HDTV viewing, and future-proof archiving.
PPI vs. DPI (quick clarification)
PPI = pixels per inch and describes the pixel density of a digital image. DPI = dots per inch and is a printing term. For scanning and files, PPI is the correct term—but if you say “DPI,” we know what you mean.
Why scan at 4,000 PPI?
- More detail captured: recover fine textures, film grain, and small features.
- Room to crop and restore: our Photoshop edits shine when there’s ample data.
- Bigger, cleaner prints: comfortable print sizes up to poster scale (see guide below).
Approximate file size and pixel dimensions you’ll receive
A 4,000 PPI scan of a 35mm slide (image area ~36×24 mm) yields an image of 5,256 × 3,544 pixels, which equals 18,627,264 total pixels (~18.6 MP). File size will vary based on the content of your image.
Approximate maximum print sizes (no upscaling)
Actual sizes depend on cropping, viewing distance, and subject detail. These are common “rule-of-thumb” targets:
- 300 PPI (photo-quality close viewing): up to ~17.5″ × 11.8″
- 240 PPI (excellent quality): up to ~21.9″ × 14.8″
- 200 PPI (very good, larger wall prints): up to ~26.3″ × 17.7″
- 150 PPI (poster viewing distance): up to ~35.0″ × 23.6″
What our standard service includes
- True 4,000 PPI scanning on dedicated film equipment
- Hand Photoshop work on every image (exposure, color, dust/scratch touch-ups when possible)
- Ready-to-use files for printing, sharing, archiving, and HDTV viewing