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Print retro box art at the exact physical size your case or frame requires, using a file with enough pixels for that size, then proof the result before making the final print. For preservation, frame a copy rather than an irreplaceable original, keep the art from touching the glazing, and reduce exposure to sunlight and intense indoor light.
Decide what you are making: a case insert or wall art
The correct workflow starts with the intended use. A replacement insert must fit a particular case, platform, region and edition. A wall print can use a standard frame size, but its proportions still need to match the scan or leave deliberate margins.
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Replacement case insert
Measure the actual case or obtain the template for that exact replacement case. Record the front panel, spine and back panel dimensions separately if the artwork is a wraparound insert. Do not transfer measurements from another format: a Genesis case, an NES case and a modern reproduction case can all use different layouts.
Wall display
Choose the finished frame size first, then select art whose aspect ratio suits it. If the scan is a different shape, decide whether to crop a nonessential edge, add a border, or select another scan. Stretching the image to fill the frame will distort logos, characters and text.
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Find a usable scan and check its rights
Look for a correctly oriented, complete scan with clean edges, legible lettering and minimal fading or physical damage. Gaming Relics identifies The Cover Project and SegaRetro as places where collectors may find system-specific scans, but availability and condition can change. Some SegaRetro images may originate from damaged or faded cases, so inspect the file rather than assuming that a repository copy is print-ready.
Compare candidate files
- Pixel dimensions: More source pixels give you more detail at a given print size.
- Correct edition: Confirm platform, region, publisher markings, rating symbols and the spine design.
- Completeness: Check that folds, bleed areas, spine text and corners are present.
- Aspect ratio: Make sure the proportions match the case template or your chosen frame.
- Condition: Reject files with clipped edges, severe moiré, glare, stains or unreadable text unless restoration is practical.
- Provenance and permission: Save the page or statement that explains where the image came from and what uses are allowed.
Do not equate online access with permission
A scan being downloadable does not by itself grant permission to print, sell, redistribute or publish it. The Strong requires prior written copyright-holder permission for higher-resolution game-file images obtained through its research access. The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s CC0/Open Access terms apply to items specifically marked Open Access in its own collection; they do not create a blanket licence for commercial game packaging. If you plan to sell prints, distribute files, use the art in advertising or publish it online, obtain permission from the relevant rights holder or qualified legal advice. A private, noncommercial display print still deserves a rights check because the legal status is image-specific.
Check resolution before opening the print dialog
Sharpness depends on both the source pixel dimensions and the physical output size. Effective pixels per inch (PPI) are calculated independently for each edge:
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For example, a 3,000-pixel-wide scan printed 10 inches wide provides 300 effective PPI on that edge. Printed at 20 inches, the same file provides 150 PPI. Enlarging a small scan changes its dimensions but does not create the missing original detail.
The Met discusses 150 PPI and 300 PPI as common publication resolutions. Treat those figures as useful context, not a universal pass/fail rule for every printer or viewing distance. A small insert viewed at arm’s length can look acceptable below 300 PPI, while a large poster inspected closely may reveal softness at the same nominal resolution. Calculate the effective PPI at the size you actually intend to print.
Inspect the file at full size
- Open the original download, not a thumbnail saved from a web page.
- Read the pixel dimensions in your image editor or file information panel.
- View the art at 100% magnification and inspect small type, diagonal lines and facial details.
- Check the entire perimeter for missing bleed, torn corners, scanner borders or skew.
- Keep a copy of the untouched original before retouching or resizing.
Use the case dimensions, not a generic size chart
Gaming Relics gives these examples for particular replacement-case formats:
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| Example format | Artwork size | Paper implication | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|
| Genesis replacement-case art | 10.7 × 6.75 inches | May fit US letter paper only with margins no greater than 0.15 inch | Supplier-specific example; verify your case and printer |
| NES/SNES/N64 replacement-case art | 11.453 × 6.937 inches | Legal-size paper is generally needed for home printing | Supplier-specific example; verify your case and printer |
These measurements are not universal dimensions for every region, edition or replacement shell. Measure the insert pocket and spine width of your own case, including any tuck-in or fold allowance. If the template specifies bleed, keep that extra area in the document and trim only after printing.
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Prepare the document at final physical dimensions
Use image-editing or page-layout software that lets you enter inches or millimetres directly. Set the document to the final art dimensions, place the scan without changing its proportions, and keep the page large enough for the printer’s non-printable margins.
- Create a page: Choose letter, legal or another sheet that is larger than the finished art and the printer’s minimum margins.
- Place the scan: Enter the exact width and height required by the case or frame. Lock the aspect ratio before changing either value.
- Position the art: Center it or align it to the template. Keep critical text away from the trim line.
- Preserve a working file: Save an editable version with guides and a flattened export for printing.
- Export carefully: Use a format that preserves detail and does not apply unexpected resampling. Confirm the exported file’s pixel dimensions and physical-size metadata.
When proportions do not match
Never solve a mismatch by entering unrelated width and height values that stretch the cover. Instead, choose one of three intentional options: crop only expendable outer content, add a border that will be hidden by a mat or case edge, or find a scan/template with the correct ratio. For a wraparound insert, verify that the spine remains centered after the front and back panels are positioned.
Set printer options so the scale stays exact
In the print dialog, select the intended paper size and disable automatic scaling options such as “Fit to page,” “Shrink oversized pages” or similar controls when they would alter the artwork. Choose an option such as “Actual size” or enter 100% scale, depending on the software. Check the preview for clipping and confirm that the printer’s printable area can contain the whole design.
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Paper choices
Use paper appropriate to the purpose and your printer’s ink or toner system. A smooth, bright sheet usually preserves small text better than a heavily textured sheet. For a case insert, choose a weight that folds or slides into the shell without buckling. For wall art, select a finish that suits the frame and lighting; glossy surfaces can show reflections, while matte surfaces reduce glare but may render colors less saturated. Follow the printer manufacturer’s guidance for paper weight and feed path to avoid jams.
Make a proof before committing to the final sheet
Print one inexpensive proof first. A proof is a measurement and layout check, not a guarantee that every later sheet will match perfectly.
- Mark a known reference dimension in the file or print a small ruler alongside the art in an unused margin.
- Measure the printed reference with a physical ruler. If it is wrong, revisit scaling settings before printing again.
- Check that the spine, corners and outer edges are not clipped.
- Compare colors under the lighting where the print will be displayed. Screen brightness is not a reliable color standard.
- Inspect fine lettering and dark areas for blocked detail, banding or visible scan damage.
- Only after the proof is correct, print the final sheet and trim or fold along the template lines.
Common proof failures and fixes
- Everything is smaller than the template: An automatic fit or “scale to printable area” option is active. Set 100% or actual size and use a larger sheet.
- One edge is missing: The artwork exceeds the printer’s printable area. Reduce the document only if the case permits it; otherwise use larger paper, tile the design, or use a print service.
- Front and back do not line up: The scan or template has a different spine/bleed geometry. Reposition each panel using the actual case measurements rather than centering the whole image blindly.
- Text looks soft: Effective PPI is too low, the source was a thumbnail, or the file was resampled repeatedly. Return to the largest clean source and print at a smaller size if necessary.
- Colors look unexpectedly dark: Check the selected paper profile, printer media setting and ink-saving or draft mode. Reprint a small proof after changing one setting at a time.
When a print service is the practical choice
A service can be useful when the artwork exceeds your printer’s sheet size, when you need a borderless large print, or when you want a wider range of paper and finishing options. Compare services by maximum print size, border limits, paper and finish choices, color-management workflow, file-upload rules, rights policy, price and turnaround. No universal price or single best provider applies to every file and region.
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The National Gallery of Art describes a US custom-print process offering paper or canvas, size and framing choices, with acid-free, lignin-free paper options. That description illustrates possible materials and workflow; it does not establish that the service accepts user-submitted commercial game files. Before uploading, ask whether customer artwork is accepted, what rights declaration is required, how files are handled, and whether the quoted size includes trimming or borders.
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Frame the print without trapping damage
For a collectible original, the safest strategy is to display a copy and store the original in darkness. The National Archives states: “The best protection from light is to display copies of the originals and keep the originals in a box.” A reproduction print is easier to replace, but it can still fade if exposed continuously to strong light.
Use a mat or spacers
The image should not touch the glazing. A mat board or perimeter spacers creates an air gap that prevents condensation, abrasion and emulsion sticking. Choose stable matboard such as 100% cotton rag or chemically purified, lignin-free pulp that is buffered, pH-neutral or acid-free. Hinge the print with non-adhesive methods where possible rather than applying tape or glue directly to the artwork.
Select glazing for the room
UV-filtering glass or acrylic can reduce ultraviolet exposure from sunlight and fluorescent lighting. It does not make continuous bright display risk-free, so keep the frame away from direct sun and intense indoor light. Acrylic is lighter and safer around children or in large sizes; glass can offer greater scratch resistance but adds weight. Whichever you choose, leave enough mat or spacer depth so the print remains clear of the surface.
Build a stable package
Use a firm, stable backing and a frame deep enough to hold the backing, mat, print and glazing without pressure. The Library of Congress recommends moisture-barrier materials, stable components and a perimeter spacer or sufficiently thick mat. Avoid ordinary acidic cardboard that can discolor paper over time.
Quick Recap
Choose a safe location and preserve the original
- Hang the framed copy away from direct sunlight and intense light sources.
- Keep it away from radiators, heating or cooling vents and places with rapid temperature changes.
- Avoid exterior-wall extremes, attics and basements where heat or humidity can fluctuate.
- Store an original cover flat or supported in archival packaging, inside a box, when it is not being viewed.
- Check the frame periodically for bowing, loose backing, condensation or signs that the print is touching the glazing.
A final pre-print and framing checklist
- Identify the exact case, platform, region and edition.
- Measure the insert pocket or select a deliberate wall-frame size.
- Confirm the scan’s provenance and permission for your intended use.
- Record pixel dimensions and calculate effective PPI at the final size.
- Inspect all edges, text, colors and damage at 100% view.
- Set final physical dimensions with aspect-ratio lock enabled.
- Choose paper and a sheet size that exceed the printer’s printable area requirements.
- Disable unintended scaling and verify the print preview.
- Run a measured proof and correct cropping, alignment or color issues.
- Trim or fold only after the proof matches the case.
- Frame with stable matboard, spacers and suitable UV-filtering glazing.
- Display the copy in subdued light and store any original safely.
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