Aspect Ratio & Auto-Cropping

What is Aspect Ratio?

Aspect Ratio is the proportional relationship between the width and height of an image. It is expressed as two numbers separated by a colon, such as:

• 1:1 - Square (common for profile photos or tiles).
• 4:3 - Standard photograph shape.
• 16:9 - Widescreen format.

When ordering a print product of a fixed size (e.g. a $4 \times 6\text{ inch}$ print has a 3:2 aspect ratio), the uploaded image should match these proportions.

The Print Risk: Image Distortion or White Margins

If a customer uploads a square photo (1:1) for a rectangular frame (16:9):

• Stretching / Squishing: Scaling the image to fit the frame distorts the artwork, making subjects look unnaturally tall or wide.
• Pillarboxing / Letterboxing: Placing the image without stretching leaves white gaps or margins along the edges.

How Filecheck Automates Aspect Ratio Control

Filecheck resolves aspect ratio mismatches automatically:

1. Ratio Scan: We calculate the uploaded image’s aspect ratio ($\text{Width} \div \text{Height}$) and check it against the product’s allowed ratio list.
2. Auto-Cropping Autofix: If the ratio does not match but falls within configurable tolerances, Filecheck automatically crops the image:
   • Smart Cropping: We crop the image from the center, or use subject detection to preserve the focal point.
3. Soft-Proof Review: The customer reviews the cropped preview side-by-side at checkout, ensuring they approve the layout framing before final printing.