Skip to main content
J
jackbrannen_pl
Inspiring
May 5, 2026
Question

Pasted objects from Illustrator are 1/10 correct size

  • May 5, 2026
  • 2 replies
  • 13 views

I have an artboard in Illustrator and a document in Photoshop that are the exact same dimensions. Photoshop’s pixels per inch are 72.

 

When I copy something from Illustrator and paste it into the Photoshop document, it comes in at exactly 1/10 of its actual size.

 

This issue doesn’t occur if I copy something from an old Illustrator document (from several years ago) before they upsized the pasteboard.

 

Using last versions of both apps. macOS 26.4.1.

    2 replies

    jane-e
    Community Expert
    jane-eCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    May 6, 2026

    ​@jackbrannen_pl 

     

    As you are aware, Illustrator is vector and does not have resolution (except for raster effects). Setting the PPI (pixels per inch) for Raster Effects only affects drop shadows, Gaussian blur, et cetera and does not apply to the main artwork. You do not need to do this step.

     

    Here’s what I do:

    • Copy from Illustrator
    • Paste to Photoshop 
    • Cmd+F (Edit > Free Transform) > scale > note percentage in options bar
    • Cancel
    • Return to Illustrator and scale to the same percentage
    • Copy from Illustrator
    • Paste to Photoshop > choose one of the Paste options

     

    Note: This took more time to type than it does to do it!

     

    Jane

     

     

    Nancy OShea
    Community Expert
    Nancy OSheaCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    May 5, 2026

    Math-based vectors are resolution independent graphics. When pasted into a pixel-based raster file, vectors often appear smaller than normal due to the differences in resolution. 

     

    Match PPI: Set your Illustrator document resolution to match Photoshop (e.g., 300 ppi in Effect > Document Raster Effects Settings).

     

    Place Embedded: Embeds the image into your document, making it part of the file. This creates a smart object, allowing for safe re-scaling in Photoshop.

     

    Nancy O'Shea— Product User & Community Expert
    Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement
    Using the community Terms of use Privacy Cookie preferences Do not sell or share my personal information ad choicesAdChoices