Image Requirements & Photo Guidelines

To ensure the best quality for your custom sports cards, please follow these image guidelines. The right photo makes all the difference in creating a professional-looking card.

Technical Image Specifications

| Specification | Requirement | Recommendation | |---------------|-------------|----------------| | Resolution | Minimum 1000 x 1000 pixels | 1500 x 2000 pixels or higher | | Format | JPG, PNG, or HEIC | JPG for photos, PNG for graphics | | File Size | Maximum 10MB | 2-5MB for optimal balance | | Aspect Ratio | 3:4 portrait orientation | Full body or waist-up shots | | Color Profile | RGB | sRGB preferred |

Photo Quality Guidelines

For the best results, your photos should have:

• Good lighting: Well-lit subjects with minimal shadows
• Clear focus: Sharp, non-blurry images
• Minimal background: Simple backgrounds work best with our removal tool
• Subject positioning: Center the person in the frame
• Face visibility: Ensure the face is clearly visible
• Appropriate distance: Not too close or too far from subject

Visual Examples

Good Examples:

• Professional sports photos
• Team photos in uniform
• Portrait photos with clear lighting
• Action shots where face is visible
• Photos against plain backgrounds

Poor Examples:

• Blurry or pixelated images
• Very dark or overexposed photos
• Images with multiple people (unless ordering a team card)
• Very small file sizes (under 500KB)
• Screenshots from social media (these are usually compressed)

Background Removal Information

Our system automatically removes backgrounds from your images. For best results:

• Choose photos with good contrast between the subject and background
• Avoid photos where clothing blends into the background
• Photos taken against solid-colored backgrounds work best
• Ensure the subject has clear, defined edges
• Avoid complex backgrounds with similar colors to the subject

Device-Specific Tips

Mobile Phone Photos

• Clean your camera lens before taking photos
• Use natural daylight when possible
• Hold steady or use a tripod for sharpness
• Use portrait mode if available
• Avoid using digital zoom (move closer instead)

DSLR/Professional Camera

• Use aperture priority mode (f/4-f/8) for good depth of field
• Set ISO to 400 or lower for minimal noise
• Use a focal length of 50-85mm for portraits
• RAW format photos should be converted to JPG before uploading

Special Case Guidelines

Team Cards

For team cards with multiple players:

• Ensure all players are clearly visible
• Try to have consistent lighting across all players
• Position players in a standard team formation
• Maintain similar distance for all subjects

Action Shots

If using action shots:

• Choose moments where the player's face is visible
• Avoid extreme motion blur
• Select images where the player is the clear focus
• Higher shutter speeds (1/500s or faster) produce better results

Troubleshooting Upload Issues

If you're having trouble uploading your image:

• Try reducing the file size (but keep it above 1MB if possible)
• Convert to JPG format if using another format
• Clear your browser cache and try again
• Use a different browser or device
• Check our Android Upload Issue guide for mobile-specific help

Image Enhancement Services

We offer these additional image services:

• Basic Enhancement: Included free with all orders
• Premium Enhancement: Color correction and minor retouching ($4.99)
• Professional Enhancement: Advanced editing and digital improvements ($9.99)

Contact Support

If you're unsure about your image quality or have special requirements:

• Email: support@matchmint.com
• Subject: "Image Question - [Brief Description]"
• Attach: The image you're concerned about
• Response Time: Within 24 hours

Our design team is happy to review your images before you place an order to ensure optimal results.