Upscaling and enhancing Midjourney images effectively requires understanding both the platform’s built-in tools and third-party solutions. Midjourney’s native upscalers—Subtle and Creative—double image resolution (from 1024x1024 to 2048x2048) while maintaining or slightly altering details, but they have limitations like potential blurring or softness, especially at higher magnifications ^[1][6]. For higher resolutions (4K, 8K, or print-quality 300 DPI), external tools like Aiarty Image Enhancer, Topaz Gigapixel AI, or Pixelcut often deliver superior results by preserving sharpness and adding realistic details ^[4][5][9]. The process also depends on the Midjourney version, with v6 offering more refined options than v5.2, though both require careful GPU management to avoid resource exhaustion ^[6][8].

Key takeaways for optimal upscaling:

• Built-in upscalers (Subtle/Creative) are convenient but limited to 2x magnification and may soften details ^[1][4].
• Third-party tools (Aiarty, Topaz, Pixelcut) can achieve 4x–32x upscaling with better fidelity, ideal for print or large-format displays ^[4][5].
• Print readiness requires 300 DPI; a 2048x2048 Midjourney image maxes out at ~6.8 inches without external upscaling ^[10].
• Advanced techniques like remix mode or combining multiple tools (e.g., Leonardo AI + Topaz) can further enhance results ^[9][8].

Methods to Upscale and Enhance Midjourney Images

Using Midjourney’s Native Upscalers

Midjourney provides two primary upscaling options—Subtle and Creative—accessible via the "U" buttons in Discord or the web interface. These tools double the resolution of the original 1024x1024 image to 2048x2048, but their effectiveness varies by version and use case. The Subtle upscaler preserves the original composition with minimal alterations, while the Creative upscaler may introduce new details or textures, sometimes at the cost of accuracy ^[1][6]. Version 6’s upscalers are more refined than v5.2’s, which offered 2x and 4x options but often produced softer results ^[2][6].

Key considerations for native upscaling:

• Resolution limits: Native upscalers cap at 2x in v6, making them insufficient for large prints or 4K displays without additional tools ^[1][4].
• GPU consumption: Each upscale attempt consumes GPU minutes, which can deplete Fast Hours quickly if redone frequently ^[6][8].
• Quality trade-offs: The 4x upscaler in v5.2 introduced noticeable blurring to maintain realism, while v6’s Creative mode may over-enhance textures ^[2].
• Workarounds: Users can retrieve older images via job IDs to re-upscale them, but corrupted files or excessive softness remain risks ^[2].

For best results with native tools, users should:

1. Start with the highest-quality base image (e.g., 1024x1024) to minimize artifacting ^[1].
2. Use Subtle upscaling for critical details (e.g., portraits) and Creative for artistic or abstract enhancements ^[1].
3. Save upscaled images in PNG format to avoid compression artifacts from WebP ^[2].
4. Monitor GPU usage to avoid interruptions mid-process ^[8].

Leveraging Third-Party Upscaling Tools

When Midjourney’s native options fall short—particularly for resolutions beyond 2048x2048—third-party tools like Aiarty Image Enhancer, Topaz Gigapixel AI, and Pixelcut offer superior flexibility. These platforms use advanced AI algorithms to upscale images to 4K, 8K, or even 32K while preserving (or enhancing) details lost in native upscaling ^[4][5]. For example, Aiarty claims to maintain fidelity at 32K resolutions, whereas Midjourney’s 2x upscaler often softens edges ^[4]. Topaz Gigapixel, frequently recommended in tutorials, excels at restoring sharpness in photorealistic images, making it ideal for professional prints ^[7][9].

Comparison of top third-party tools:

• Aiarty Image Enhancer:
• Supports upscaling to 32K with minimal detail loss ^[4].
• Processes images faster than Midjourney’s native tools, with batch upscaling options ^[4].
• Free tier available, but high-resolution outputs may require a subscription ^[4].
• Topaz Gigapixel AI:
• Specializes in photorealistic enhancements, reducing noise and sharpening edges ^[7][9].
• Integrates with Photoshop for workflow efficiency ^[8].
• Higher cost but widely regarded as the gold standard for print-quality upscaling ^[9].
• Pixelcut:
• Free online tool with up to 4x upscaling, optimized for speed and accessibility ^[5].
• Trusted by 70+ million users, with mobile app support ^[5].
• Best for quick enhancements but may lack the precision of Aiarty or Topaz for complex images ^[5].

Steps to maximize third-party upscaling:

1. Export the highest-quality base image from Midjourney (PNG, 2048x2048 if possible) ^[10].
2. Select the tool based on need: - Aiarty for extreme resolutions (e.g., billboards) ^[4]. - Topaz for professional prints or photorealistic art ^[9]. - Pixelcut for quick, free enhancements ^[5].
3. Adjust settings for output DPI (300+ for print) and noise reduction if needed ^[10].
4. Combine tools for optimal results—e.g., use Leonardo AI for detail refinement before Topaz upscaling ^[9].

Advanced Techniques for Print and High-Resolution Outputs

Achieving print-ready resolutions (300 DPI or higher) from Midjourney’s default 1024x1024 output requires a multi-step approach. A 2048x2048 image from Midjourney’s upscaler yields only a 6.8-inch print at 300 DPI, necessitating further enhancement for larger formats ^[10]. Users can combine native upscaling with third-party tools to bridge this gap. For instance:

1. Upscale natively to 2048x2048 using Midjourney’s Subtle mode ^[1].
2. Enhance with Topaz Gigapixel to 4K (3840x3840), then adjust DPI in Photoshop ^[7][10].
3. Use Aiarty for final touches if higher resolutions (8K+) are needed ^[4].

Critical factors for print success:

• DPI adjustment: Software like Photoshop can resample images to 300 DPI without altering pixel dimensions, but this may require trade-offs in sharpness ^[10].
• Aspect ratio planning: Midjourney’s default 1:1 ratio may not suit all print formats; users should generate images in target ratios (e.g., 16:9 for widescreen) to minimize cropping ^[1].
• Color profiles: Convert images to CMYK for professional printing to avoid color shifts ^[8].
• Test prints: Order small-scale prints first to assess quality before committing to large formats ^[10].

For users seeking 4x upscaling within Midjourney v6, a workaround involves enabling Remix Mode and adjusting prompts to force higher resolutions, though results may vary in sharpness compared to dedicated tools ^[9]. Alternatively, Leonardo AI can refine Midjourney outputs before upscaling, adding missing details that native tools might overlook ^[9].