Skip to content
  • Custom Stickers
  • Custom Prints
    • Custom Die Cut Vinyl Stickers
      Custom Stickers

      Custom shape die cut stickers and transfer lettering.

      Custom Wall Mural Wrap Printed On Cubicle Wall
      Wall Graphics

      Transform walls with vibrant, custom shape and transfer graphics.

      Poster On Storefront Window
      Window Graphics

      Elevate windows with stunning custom graphics for your storefront.

      Removable Custom Floor Decal On Concrete
      Floor Graphics

      Revamp floors with eye-catching, personalized vinyl stickers.

      Vehicle Magnet On Truck
      Vehicle Graphics

      Brand your fleet with striking, custom vinyl sticker designs.

      Office Wall Dry Erase Calendar
      Dry Erase

      Full color vinyl prints or whiteboards suited for your business needs.

      Custom Yard Sign Advertisement
      Advertising Signs

      Create attention-grabbing signage with your graphic designs.

      Custom Mesh Hanging Banners
      Banners

      Capture attention with dynamic banners for any occasion.

      Have a unique request? Send us a message

      Shop All Products
Want StickersWant Stickers
  • Want Solutions
    • Want Ideas
    • Want Solutions
    • Services
  • Want Info
    • Who We Are
    • Good Reads
    • Sign Up and Save
    • Contact Our Team
  • Want Solutions
    • Want Ideas
    • Want Solutions
    • Services
  • Want Info
    • Who We Are
    • Good Reads
    • Sign Up and Save
    • Contact Our Team
  • Help
  • Account
  • Cart
Want Horizontal Stickers Logo

Why Does My Proof Have Different Dimensions Than Specified?

Understanding why your graphic design isn't the size you ordered can be frustrating. This often occurs due to differences in aspect ratios when scaling your design proportionally to maintain quality. Learn about your options for proceeding with proportionally scaled designs, resizing, or forcing dimensions with potential distortion.

Home / Help Articles / File Setup & Artwork / Why Does My Proof Have Different Dimensions Than Specified?

What's in this article

Why Your Design Isn't the Size You Ordered

We strive to ensure that your custom graphic designs meet your specifications and are ready for print. However, sometimes the final printed size may not match the dimensions you entered in the order form. This can happen due to differences in aspect ratios and the necessity to scale your design proportionally to maintain its quality and appearance.

Understanding Aspect Ratios and Scaling

When you input custom dimensions for your design, it’s essential to understand aspect ratios. The aspect ratio is the relationship between the width and height of an image.

If the aspect ratio of your uploaded design does not match the dimensions you entered, we need to scale the image proportionally to avoid distortion.

For example, if you order a design with 16″ width x 12″ height but upload an image with different proportions, we will first scale the longest dimension.

Suppose the longest dimension is the width at 16″. In that case, the height will be adjusted proportionally to maintain the aspect ratio. In some cases, this may result in the height of only 9.5″, which is less than the 12″ height you specified.

Design Size Displayed With Notification
Why We Don’t Force Dimensions

Forcing your design to match the exact dimensions you input would distort the image, compromising its visual quality and potentially violating branding guidelines. This distortion can stretch or squash your design, leading to a final product that does not meet your expectations.

Your Options

We understand that size discrepancies can be frustrating, and we offer several options to help you achieve the best possible result. This applies to custom shapes, transfer stickers, or general signage type products.

Proceed with Proportional Scaling:

  • Accept the design scaled proportionally to the longest dimension.
  • Receive a partial refund for the updated, smaller size.
Design Scaled Proportionally

Resize to a Larger Dimension:

  • Adjust the design to a larger size that is closer to the smallest dimension you input.
  • This may be close to the same price or may require additional payment.
  • Ensure that you remeasure your installation area to confirm it can accommodate the new size.
Design Resized To A Larger Dimension

Force the Dimensions:

  • Choose to force or stretch the design to match the exact dimensions you ordered.
  • Be aware that this will distort the design and may affect its visual quality.
  • Sometimes not allowed for certain branding requirements or guidelines.
A Graphic Stretched To Match Dimensions

Add or Increase Background Color/Shape:

  • Add or increase a background color or shape to your design to fill the dimensions ordered while keeping the graphic or logo proportional.
  • Fill background with a color, pattern, or image.
  • Shape can be hard or rounded corner rectangle, or even custom shape.
  • This can be helpful if you need to fill or cover up an area where you’re installing but want to maintain the design proportions.
Added Background Shape To Fill Space

Conclusion

We are committed to delivering high-quality products that meet your needs. By understanding aspect ratios and how we scale your designs, you can make informed decisions about your order. If you have any questions or need assistance with your design, please contact our customer support team.

  • Hashtags: artwork, graphic design, logo, order, proof, proportion, tutorial

Couldn’t find what you were looking for?  Send us a message

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Help Categories
  • All Help Articles
  • File Setup & Artwork
  • Product Information
    • Sticker Product Information
    • Wall Product Information
    • Window Product Information
    • Vehicle Product Information
  • Installation Tips
    • Sticker Installation Tips
    • Wall Installation Tips
    • Window Installation Tips
    • Floor Installation Tips
    • Vehicle Installation Tips
    • Dry Erase Installation Tips
  • Ordering & Fulfillment
  • Shipping
  • Satisfaction
  • Services
  • Account
  • Misc FAQ
  • Printionary
    • Graphic Design
    • Installation Terms & Methods
    • Materials
    • Production
    • Removal

Why Want Stickers?

The quality of our service is based on our well-trained, professional staff, and our commitment to helping our customers.

Bulk Discounts

Price per sticker decreases with each quantity increase. More stickers = the cheaper they are!

Free Shipping

All sticker orders over $50 ship for free with standard shipping to anywhere in the contiguous U.S

Eco-Friendly

We print custom reusable stickers. Sustainable and easy on the environment by reusing.

No Minimums

Print just 1 for short run projects or prototypes. Print a million for discounted bulk runs.

Free Proofs

All custom orders will receive proofs via email for approval prior to the order being printed.

International Shipping

We ship everywhere! Globally fulfilling orders of any size. Costs calculated on the checkout page.

Let's start your custom project

Take the guessing work out of your project, and tell us what you want. Our team is here to provide professional recommendations for projects of any size.

Let's Chat!
support
  • Help Center
  • Your Account
  • Contact
Content
  • About
  • Blog
  • Sitemap
Product
  • Stickers
  • Walls
  • Windows
  • Floors
  • Vehicles
  • Banners
  • Dry Erase
  • All Products
Social Media
Facebook Instagram Pinterest Twitter Youtube
Want Stickers Brand Logo

All sales in USD. Free shipping valid for purchases over $50 within the contiguous United States for qualifying products.
Copyright © 2025 WantStickers.com

  • Legal Information
  • Homepage
  • Custom Stickers
  • Wall Graphics
  • Window Graphics
  • Floor Graphics
  • Vehicle Graphics
  • Vinyl Banners
  • Shop All Categories
Support
  • Send Us A Message
  • Knowledge Base
  • My Account
  • Want Ideas
  • Want Solutions
  • Good Reads
Search Website