AI Artwork Guidelines for Custom Wall Murals
AI-generated artwork can be a great starting point for a custom wall mural, but not every AI image is suitable for large-format printing. Images that look sharp on a phone, tablet, or computer screen may not have enough resolution, detail, or accuracy to print clearly at mural size.
Use these guidelines to create, upscale, review, and upload AI-generated artwork that has the best chance of becoming a high-quality custom wall mural.
Can I Use AI-Generated Art for a Wall Mural?
Yes, AI-generated artwork can often be used for a custom wall mural, but the file must be large enough and clean enough for large-format printing.
Before uploading an AI-generated image, make sure it:
- Has enough pixel resolution for the mural size
- Matches the shape and orientation of your wall
- Does not contain blurry, warped, or distorted details
- Does not include copyrighted logos, sports teams, brands, movie characters, cartoon characters, or similar protected content
- Is the actual artwork you want printed, not only a room mockup or screenshot
Our team is happy to review your file and let you know if it appears suitable for your mural.
How Large Should an AI Image Be for a Wall Mural?
The larger the mural, the more image data is needed. A mural file should have enough pixels to support the final printed size.
When reviewing image quality, the most important measurement is PPI, or pixels per inch. PPI refers to how many image pixels are available for each inch of the printed mural. The more pixels available per inch, the sharper and more detailed the mural can look.
You may also see this referred to as DPI, or dots per inch. Technically, DPI refers to how ink or print dots are applied during printing, while PPI refers to the pixels in the image file. In everyday print conversations, the terms are often used interchangeably. For customer-supplied artwork, the key question is whether the image has enough total pixels for the final mural size.
A helpful way to estimate image quality is:
Final print width in inches × desired PPI = recommended pixel width
Final print height in inches × desired PPI = recommended pixel height
For example, a 10-foot wide mural is 120 inches wide. At 75 PPI, the image would ideally be about 9,000 pixels wide.
A 20-foot wide mural is 240 inches wide. At 75 PPI, the image would ideally be about 18,000 pixels wide.
For more general information about resolution, image quality, raster files, vector files, and mural file setup, visit our custom image quality guidelines.
Recommended Pixel Size Examples
Use these examples to compare your image’s pixel dimensions to your mural size. These are general guidelines, and our team can review your file to help determine whether it will work for your specific project.
6' × 4' mural
Final size: 72" × 48"
Approx. pixel size at 75 PPI: 5,400 × 3,600 px
Approx. pixel size at 100 PPI: 7,200 × 4,800 px
8' × 6' mural
Final size: 96" × 72"
Approx. pixel size at 75 PPI: 7,200 × 5,400 px
Approx. pixel size at 100 PPI: 9,600 × 7,200 px
10' × 8' mural
Final size: 120" × 96"
Approx. pixel size at 75 PPI: 9,000 × 7,200 px
Approx. pixel size at 100 PPI: 12,000 × 9,600 px
12' × 9' mural
Final size: 144" × 108"
Approx. pixel size at 75 PPI: 10,800 × 8,100 px
Approx. pixel size at 100 PPI: 14,400 × 10,800 px
20' × 10' mural
Final size: 240" × 120"
Approx. pixel size at 75 PPI: 18,000 × 9,000 px
Approx. pixel size at 100 PPI: 24,000 × 12,000 px
Note: PPI is used here because these examples refer to the pixel dimensions of the image file. DPI is often used in print conversations, but PPI is the more accurate term when calculating image size.
Image size example: This AI-generated image is 1536 × 1024 pixels. At 75 PPI, that provides enough image data for a print that is only about 20 inches wide by 14 inches high. A 20-foot-wide mural is 240 inches wide, so enlarging this same file to mural size would stretch the image far beyond its usable size. The result would likely look blurry, soft, or pixelated.
What PPI Should I Use for an AI Mural File?
For AI-generated artwork, the file’s total pixel dimensions matter more than the resolution number saved in the file.
As a general guide:
- Minimum starting point: 72–75 PPI at final mural size
- Preferred when possible: 100–150 PPI at final mural size
- Common for small prints: 300 PPI, though this is often not realistic or necessary for very large murals
To check your image, compare its pixel dimensions to the recommended pixel size examples above. If your AI-generated image is much smaller than the recommended size for your mural, it may print blurry, soft, or pixelated when enlarged.
If you are unsure, upload the largest version available and our team can review it for your project.
Do Megabytes Matter?
File size can be a clue, but it is not the best way to judge mural quality. Pixel dimensions matter more than megabytes.
A file that is only a few MB may be too small or heavily compressed for a large mural, especially if it came from a website, screenshot, social media download, or messaging app. However, a larger file size does not always guarantee good print quality.
When checking an AI image, look for:
- Pixel dimensions, such as 6000 × 4000 px
- File format, such as PNG, JPG, TIFF, PSD, PSB, or PDF
- Compression quality
- Whether the image still looks clear when zoomed in
What File Type Should I Use for AI Artwork?
Many AI image tools export artwork as PNG files, and PNG files are usually fine to upload for review. However, file type alone does not guarantee print quality. A small PNG may still be too low-resolution for a large mural.
For best results, upload the largest, least-compressed version available from your AI tool or upscaling program.
Recommended file types include:
- PNG: Common for AI-generated artwork and good for preserving image quality.
- JPG/JPEG: Acceptable if the file is high resolution and not heavily compressed.
- TIFF/TIF: A strong option for high-quality print files, especially after editing or upscaling.
- PSD/PSB: Helpful if the file was edited in Photoshop and layers need to be reviewed.
- PDF: Useful for print-ready layouts or files created from design software.
Avoid uploading screenshots, social media downloads, copied preview images, or files saved from a messaging app. These are often compressed or reduced in size.
Why Does Image Shape Matter?
Your AI image should match the shape of your wall. This is called the aspect ratio. If the image shape does not match the wall, important parts of the artwork may need to be cropped, stretched, or adjusted.
Use this as a general guide:
- Wide wall: Use a wide horizontal image.
- Tall wall: Use a tall vertical image.
- Square or nearly square wall: Use a square or balanced image.
A wide image usually will not work well for a tall wall, and a tall image usually will not work well for a wide wall.
What Should I Include in an AI Mural Prompt?
When creating AI artwork for a mural, include the wall size, image orientation, aspect ratio, and quality expectations in your prompt. This gives the AI tool a better chance of creating artwork that fits your wall.
Prompt Template
“Create artwork for a custom wall mural that will be [wall width] wide by [wall height] high. The image should be [horizontal/vertical/square] and match a [ratio] aspect ratio. Make it high resolution, sharp, detailed, and suitable for large-format printing. Do not include text, logos, brand names, sports teams, movie characters, cartoon characters, watermarks, or copyrighted content.”
Example Prompt for a Wide Wall
“Create a wide horizontal image for a wall mural that will be 20 feet wide by 10 feet high. Use a 2:1 aspect ratio. Make the image high resolution, sharp, detailed, and suitable for large-format printing. Do not include text, logos, brand names, sports teams, movie characters, cartoon characters, watermarks, or copyrighted content.”
Example Prompt for a Tall Wall
“Create a tall vertical image for a wall mural that will be 8 feet wide by 12 feet high. Use a vertical 2:3 aspect ratio. Make the image high resolution, sharp, detailed, and suitable for large-format printing. Do not include text, logos, brand names, sports teams, movie characters, cartoon characters, watermarks, or copyrighted content.”
Can I Use AI Upscaling for a Mural?
Yes, AI upscaling may help improve an image before it is printed as a mural. Upscaling tools can increase pixel dimensions, sharpen details, and create a larger file.
However, upscaling does not guarantee that an image will be print-ready. AI upscaling can also change details, distort objects, over-sharpen edges, or create new visual artifacts.
If you use AI upscaling:
- Start with the best original image you have
- Choose the largest final size the tool allows
- Keep the image proportional to your wall size
- Avoid heavy sharpening or over-processing
- Review the upscaled image closely at full size
- Compare it to the original to make sure important details did not change
Common upscaling options include image enhancement tools in design software, photo editing programs, and online AI upscaling platforms. No matter which tool you use, always review the final image carefully before uploading.
What AI Artwork Problems Should I Check For?
AI-generated images often contain issues that become much more noticeable when enlarged.
Before uploading your file, zoom in and check for:
- Blurry or soft details
- Warped objects or uneven patterns
- Distorted faces, hands, animals, buildings, or furniture
- Misspelled, unreadable, or fake-looking text
- Strange edges, repeated elements, or visual artifacts
- Watermarks or unwanted marks
- Details that changed during upscaling
If something looks strange on your screen, it will likely be more noticeable on a large wall.
Detail check example: AI-generated artwork may look polished at first glance, but small details can break down when enlarged or viewed closely. In this example, the full image appears scenic, but the closer view reveals warped or unnatural animal features. Issues like distorted faces, odd anatomy, strange textures, or repeated details can become much more noticeable on a large wall mural.
What Should I Avoid Uploading?
Some files may be helpful as reference images, but they are not usually the correct file for printing. To avoid delays, please do not upload only:
- A room mockup or staged preview
- A design layout showing the artwork in a room or on a wall
- A screenshot or copied preview image
- A photo of artwork already printed or installed on a wall
- A small image downloaded from social media, a website, or a messaging app
- AI artwork that includes third-party logos, sports teams, brands, celebrities, movie characters, cartoon characters, or other protected content
If you have a mockup, layout, or room setting, you can upload it as a reference image. Please also upload the actual flat artwork file you want printed.
What not to upload example: These examples are useful as references, but they are not the correct files to upload by themselves for printing. A design layout or room mockup can show placement and design intent, but we still need the actual flat artwork file. A photo of artwork already installed on a wall may include glare, shadows, perspective distortion, cropped edges, or other quality issues that make it unsuitable as the final print file.
What Should I Upload?
Please upload the actual image you want printed.
Room mockups, design layouts, screenshots, or pictures of the artwork on a wall can be helpful for reference, but they are usually not the correct file for printing. If you have both, upload the flat artwork file first and include the mockup, layout, or room setting as an additional reference image.
Best Files to Upload
- The highest-resolution version of your AI artwork
- A PNG, JPG/JPEG, TIFF/TIF, PSD/PSB, or PDF file
- The final upscaled version, if you used an upscaling tool
- The flat artwork file, not just a room preview, layout, screenshot, or mockup
- Any reference image that helps show how you want the mural to look
Can I Use Logos, Sports Teams, Brands, or Characters in AI Artwork?
Yes, if they are yours or you have permission to use them. You may upload your own logo, brand, business name, or original characters for a custom mural.
Please do not upload AI-generated artwork that includes someone else’s copyrighted logos, sports teams, brands, movie characters, cartoon characters, celebrities, or similar protected content.
Creating a new AI image that includes a recognizable third-party team, logo, brand, or character does not automatically make it safe to print. If the image includes protected content you do not own or have permission to use, we may not be able to produce it as a mural.
Protected content example: AI-generated artwork that includes recognizable third-party logos, sports teams, brands, characters, celebrities, or similar protected content are not printable, even if the image was newly created with AI. You may upload your own logo, brand, business name, or original characters if you have the right to use them.
Quick Technical Checklist
Before uploading your AI-generated mural artwork, check the following:
- Pixel dimensions: The image should have thousands of pixels across, especially for large murals.
- Final mural size: Larger walls require larger files.
- PPI: Aim for at least 72–75 PPI at final mural size; 100–150 PPI is better when possible.
- Aspect ratio: The image shape should match the wall shape.
- File type: PNG is common for AI artwork, but pixel dimensions and image quality matter more than the format.
- File size: Files that are only a few MB may be too small or compressed.
- Image details: Zoom in to check for blur, distortion, artifacts, and incorrect text.
- Protected content: Avoid third-party logos, teams, brands, characters, celebrities, and similar protected content unless you have permission to use them.
- Upload file: Send the actual artwork file, not only a room mockup, layout, screenshot, or preview.
Not Sure If Your AI Image Will Work?
We’re happy to review your file. Upload the highest-quality version available, and our team will let you know if the image appears suitable for your mural or if a better file may be needed.
Ready to get started? Upload your artwork through our Create Your Own mural file upload form.
Ready to Order Your Custom Mural?
If your AI-generated artwork is ready and you have followed these guidelines, you can upload your file and place your order online.
For the fastest process, use the highest-quality version of your image, make sure it matches your wall shape, and avoid third-party logos, sports teams, brands, characters, celebrities, or other protected content unless you have permission to use them.
Ready to get started? Visit our Create Your Own Mural page or call 888.558.0279.
If your image is not high enough quality for your mural size, or if the artwork includes protected content we may not be able to print, our team will contact you about your order.