Where to Print Digital Download Art (Without Wasting Money or Quality)

So—you purchased a digital download of an art print. Yay you! That means you’ve officially supported an artist (hi, it’s me 👋) while also flexing your DIY muscles. Digital art prints are budget-friendly, instant, and versatile. 

But now you’re staring at your file wondering:

Where do I actually get this printed?

Don’t worry, friend. I’ve got you covered. In this guide, I’ll walk you through:

• How to choose the right print size for your frame
• The best places to print your art file (from quick + affordable to gallery-worthy)
• Where not to upload your art file (to protect you—and the artist!)

Step 1: Decide on Your Print Size

Before you run to the printer, think about where your art is going to live. Do you already have a frame you’d love to use? Check the dimensions of the opening. Most ready-made frames come in standard sizes (8x10, 11x14, 16x20, etc.), which makes life easier.

👉 Need a refresher on standard frame sizes and how to choose? Check out my framing guide here.

Next, let’s make sure your file will look good at that size. Here’s the nerdy-but-important part:

• Aim for 300 pixels per inch (ppi) for crisp, professional-quality prints.
• Example: If your file is 3000 x 6000 pixels, it can safely print up to 10x20 inches.
• 3000/300 = 10 in, 6000/300 = 20 in
• Smaller prints from a larger file? No problem—it will look even sharper.
  

All of my digital files at Katie Sinclair Art come with maximum print sizes listed, so you’ll always know what will work.

Step 2: Choose Your Printer & Paper

Here’s where the magic happens. Depending on your budget—and how luxe you want your art prints to look—you’ve got options.

Choose Your Printer

Budget-Friendly Printing (Perfect for quick decor updates)

• Shutterfly – Great for quick, colorful prints. Watch for sales!
• Staples or Office Depot – Perfect for simple prints. Choose cardstock (200gsm+) for sturdiness.
• Walgreens / CVS / Walmart Photo – Fast turnaround and easy pickup.
• Your home printer – Yes, really. For smaller prints (8.5x11 or under), use heavyweight cardstock and set your printer to “Best.”
  

Archival & Premium Printing (When you want heirloom quality)

• Mpix – Beautiful papers, reliable colors, and great customer service.
• Giclée Today – Specializes in fine art giclée printing; museum-grade paper + archival inks.
• Printique (by Adorama) – Wide variety of fine art papers, including metallic and textured options.
• Local print shops – Sometimes the best option! The benefit to a local print shop is you can usually walk in and get assistance with paper selection + you support a local business.
  

Choosing Your Paper

Matte vs. Glossy
As a rule of thumb: go matte. Glossy finishes work best for photographs, but matte paper shows off artwork with crisp colors, soft texture, and no distracting shine.

Paper Weight (gsm):
Here’s your cheat sheet for paper weight (gsm = grams per square meter):

• 300+ gsm (heavyweight) – Thick, luxe paper often used for watercolor textures or archival-quality fine art prints. Best for professional framing and lasting quality
• 200–300 gsm (medium weight) – Equivalent to a higher-end cardstock. A great balance between cost and quality—perfect for DIY art prints at home or budget-friendly printers.
  
• 120–200 gsm (lightweight) – Standard printer paper range. Not recommended for art prints since it creases easily, doesn’t hold ink well, and usually isn’t archival.

👉 Rule of thumb: the heavier the paper, the more professional and long-lasting your DIY art print will feel. If in doubt, go for 200gsm+ matte cardstock at minimum.

Where Not to Upload Your Files

This one’s important. A digital download art file is for personal use only—it’s protected under copyright. That means:

🚫 Don’t upload it to wholesale sites like Alibaba.
🚫 Don’t use print-on-demand platforms (Society6, Redbubble, etc.) to create products for resale.
🚫 Don’t share or resell the file.

Why? Because artists (like me!) pour hours into creating original artwork, and digital downloads are intentionally priced lower so you can DIY your own print without paying full physical print prices. Selling, distributing, or repurposing these files violates copyright law.

When in doubt: If you didn’t create it from scratch, don’t sell it.

Frame and Enjoy

Once your art is printed and delivered, the fun part begins: framing and styling it in your home. A well-chosen frame can turn a simple print into a total showstopper.

Need guidance? I put together a full How to Frame Your Art Print tutorial with tips on measuring, mats, float mounts, and where to shop for frames.

Printing your digital download doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Decide your size, pick the right printer for your budget and goals, and remember—copyright means the file is for your personal enjoyment only.