Can I use AI to upscale my low-resolution product photos for print quality?

TL;DR (Quick Answer)

Yes, you can use generative AI to upscale low-resolution images for print, often achieving results far superior to traditional Photoshop stretching. However, most generic AI tools (like Midjourney) will hallucinate new details and change your product's texture. Nightjar is specifically engineered to upscale images up to 4K while strictly preserving the original product details, ensuring your SKU looks identical to the real object in print.

The Problem with Traditional Upscaling

For decades, upscaling meant "bicubic interpolation"—basically guessing what pixels should go in the gaps. This results in blurry, soft images that look terrible in print.

Generative AI solves this by understanding what the texture should look like and generating high-frequency detail. But there is a catch:

Method	Result quality	Risk	Best for
Bicubic / Photoshop	Low / Blurry	Zero hallucination, but pixelated.	Drafts, tiny icons.
Generic AI (Midjourney/DALL-E)	High / Artistic	High Risk. Often invents textures or changes text/logos.	Concept art, mood boards.
Upscaler	4K / Sharp	Low Risk. Locks product details; only upscales resolution.	Print ads, billboards, packaging.

Why "Product Integrity" Matters for Print

In e-commerce, a 1080p image is fine for a phone screen. For a physical catalog or billboard, you need 300 DPI at the physical size.

If you use a generic AI upscaler on a sneaker, it might decide to change the mesh pattern or "fix" a logo it thinks looks weird. In print, these errors are permanent and costly.

The upscaling model separates the subject (your product) from the resolution. It treats the product pixels as immutable data points, adding density without altering the design.

Practical Steps

• Input: Take your standard web image (e.g., 1024x1024).
• Process: Use Nightjar’s "Upscale" function to boost to 4K (roughly 4000x4000 pixels).
• Output: You now have an image roughly 13 inches wide at 300 DPI, suitable for full-page magazine ads or packaging boxes.