Frequently asked questions
Straight answers on the technology, comparisons and print preparation.
What AI models does Krixel use?
Krixel uses Real-ESRGAN for upscaling and LaMa for inpainting (logo, watermark and object removal). Both run locally on your GPU — Vulkan on Windows, Metal on macOS. On top of these open models, Krixel adds its own pre-press pipeline: artifact cleanup, exact-size/DPI calculation, CMYK conversion and a print-ready PDF with bleed.
How is Krixel different from Topaz Gigapixel, Magnific or Krea?
Those are pure upscalers — they make an image bigger. Krixel makes a print-ready file. It adds the full pre-press: you set the exact physical size (e.g. 400×200 cm), Krixel computes the DPI and pixels, removes logos/artifacts, and exports a CMYK PDF with 3 mm bleed for the RIP. Choose Topaz for photographic upscaling fidelity, Magnific/Krea to invent new detail in AI art, and Krixel when the deliverable is a print-ready large-format file at an exact size, offline and one-time.
Is Krixel a subscription?
No. It's a one-time purchase with a perpetual license — Solo €49, Studio €99, Print Shop €399 — with no recurring fee and no per-image cost. A free 7-day trial runs on first launch.
Does Krixel upload my images to the cloud?
No. All processing happens locally on your machine. Your images never leave your computer — there is no cloud upload and no account-bound usage metering.
Can I set an exact print size like 400×200 cm?
Yes. You enter the final physical size and a target DPI, and Krixel computes the exact pixel dimensions and upscales to match, then exports a CMYK PDF with bleed.
What file does Krixel produce?
A print-ready CMYK PDF at the exact physical dimensions with 3 mm bleed, ready to load into wide-format RIP software. Inputs can be JPG, PNG, WebP or PDF.
Does it work on Mac?
Yes — macOS 11+ on Apple Silicon (M1/M2/M3/M4) and Intel Macs. AI runs via Metal. There's also a Windows 10/11 build.
Is there a free trial?
Yes — a 7-day free trial runs on first launch, no card and no account required. After that you activate with a one-time license key.
Who makes Krixel?
Krixel is made by ACE TM, a signage and facade company in Sofia, Bulgaria with 20+ years and 900+ large-format projects. It was built to prepare ACE TM's own large-format prints and is used on its production floor.