Left: original artwork
The original RGB image at its uploaded pixel dimensions, interpreted as sRGB when no embedded profile is present.
How to read these comparisons
Right: print-ready PDF/X-4
A colour-managed screen rendering made directly from the final production PDF/X-4, including its embedded CMYK image and output intent.
The right side shows the PDF/X-4 on screen, not a photograph of paper.
It documents the delivered production file without adding an artificial matte-paper simulation. A physical matte print can still appear less luminous than a backlit display and also depends on paper, printer, ink and viewing light.
What we verify
Dimensions
Exact production pixel dimensions, physical page size and 300-DPI placement.
Structure
Contours, texture, luminance relationships and geometric preservation.
Colour
Measured colour difference after ICC-managed RGB-to-CMYK conversion.
Ink coverage
Total area coverage is measured across the CMYK production image.
PDF/X-4
Output intent, profile, page boxes, image encoding and PDF structure.
Cropping
The image is checked for unexpected trimming, stretching or distortion.
REAL TEST FILES
Original compared with print-ready output
Click any comparison to inspect it.
Both sides zoom and move together, so you always examine the same area. The web images are optimized screen previews; the published measurements are calculated from the full-resolution original and PDF/X-4 production files.
Majestic lion - 81.3 × 81.3 cm
Strong preservation despite enlargement from 1,254 × 1,254 to 9,602 × 9,602 pixels. Warm colours and deep black areas receive a visible CMYK adjustment.
300 DPIΔE00 median 2.66SSIM median 0.939No crop
Fire-safety graphic - 50.8 × 76.2 cm
Excellent preservation of flat colour areas, contours, symbols and AI-generated text. Existing source-text errors are naturally preserved.
300 DPIΔE00 median 2.18SSIM median 0.943No crop
Black sports car - 81.3 × 61.0 cm
Geometry is preserved. Deep shadows and saturated sunset tones show a more visible, but controlled, CMYK adaptation.
300 DPIΔE00 median 2.81SSIM median 0.921No crop
Dream landscape - 61.0 × 76.2 cm
Very good structural preservation. Local saturated pink, orange and blue areas have larger colour differences than the neutral regions.
300 DPIΔE00 median 3.10SSIM median 0.908No crop
Silhouette at sunset - 76.2 × 50.8 cm
Excellent contour preservation with a visible colour adjustment in the most saturated areas. The production image is stored losslessly inside the PDF/X-4.
Lossless PDF imageΔE00 median 5.58SSIM median 0.969No crop
Abstract charcoal sun - 81.3 × 81.3 cm
Fine paper texture, organic charcoal strokes and subtle neutral tones remain exceptionally close to the original after 7.66× linear enlargement.
Lossless PDF imageΔE00 median 0.67SSIM median 0.974No crop
Dramatic coastal landscape - 76.2 × 50.8 cm
Major contours, grass, tiny flowers, rock texture and fine waves remain clear. At extreme zoom, the enlargement interpolation is visible in the densest texture.
Lossless PDF imageΔE00 median 2.63SSIM median 0.950No crop
Sunlit natural portrait - 50.8 × 76.2 cm
Eyes, freckles, lips, hair strands and natural skin texture are strongly preserved. The PDF/X-4 screen rendering is slightly warmer and more saturated.
Lossless PDF imageΔE00 median 2.72SSIM median 0.959No crop
Rainy neon city - 81.3 × 81.3 cm
The most demanding colour test in the series. Signs, buildings, cars and reflections remain structurally clear, while some intense RGB neon colours are adapted to printable CMYK.
Lossless PDF imageΔE00 median 4.23SSIM median 0.890No crop
Sunlit fantasy landscape - 81.3 × 81.3 cm
Castle towers, branches, flowers, houses, bridge, water and path remain clear despite enlargement from 1,024 × 1,024 to 9,602 × 9,602 pixels.
Lossless PDF imageΔE00 median 2.98SSIM median 0.90687.9× pixel growthNo crop
TEST COVERAGE
Ten files chosen to expose different risks
The series is intentionally varied. It includes results that are exceptionally close and results where printable CMYK creates a clearly visible change.
People & organic detail
Skin, freckles, eyes, hair, fur, grass, flowers, charcoal and paper texture.
Colour extremes
Neon RGB light, sunsets, deep shadows, neutral tones, pastels and saturated illustration.
Structure & geometry
Text-like graphics, buildings, cars, thin branches, silhouettes, reflections and dense landscapes.
Orientations
Square, portrait and landscape artwork across several physical poster formats.
Enlargement
Linear enlargement from approximately 5.86× to 9.38×, including up to 87.9× more pixels.
Honest outcomes
No test is selected only because it looks perfect. Visible colour and texture changes are published too.
Technical details in plain language
PDF/X-4A professional PDF standard designed for reliable print exchange.
300 DPIThe production image contains 300 pixels for every inch of the selected poster size.
PSO Coated v3The CMYK output condition embedded in these tested production files.
ΔE00 medianThe median pixel colour difference between the original and the PDF/X-4 screen rendering. Lower values mean a closer colour match; the median is used so a few extreme pixels do not dominate the result.
SSIMA structural-similarity measurement. Values closer to 1 indicate stronger preservation of visible image structure.
TACTotal Area Coverage: the combined amount of CMYK ink in a pixel. It is checked to avoid uncontrolled heavy ink coverage.
Lossless image storageThe large poster image inside the PDF/X-4 is stored without an additional low-quality JPEG compression step.
Our transparent conclusion
The tests show that substantial enlargement can preserve structure and detail very well. They also show that RGB-to-CMYK conversion is sometimes visible, especially in highly saturated sunsets, deep shadows and bright screen colours.
Convert2Print does not describe the print file as colour-identical to the original. It describes the result as controlled, measured and professionally prepared.
File analysis has a limit.
It verifies the digital production file. It cannot by itself prove the final physical print, which additionally depends on the production printer, ink, paper and viewing conditions.