The concepts of DPI and Image Resolution create unnecessary confusion. In this article I will show you how to determine the exact image resolution you require for your print projects. This will give you the knowledge you need to never pay for a larger image size than you require, and thus save you money on your projects.
Is there such a thing as a 300 DPI Image?
Not really. DPI stands for “Dots per Inch” and simply tells you how many dots your printer will print per inch across a page. Digital image resolution on the other hand is measured in pixels. They are two completely different animals.
You need to know the DPI of your printer before you can determine the image resolution you will require for your print projects. DPI varies widely. A very fine 300 or higher DPI is usually used for magazines, brochures, etc. when close up quality is required. A billboard will typically use a coarse DPI, such as 50.
Simple Math
We can use elementary school math to determine the image resolution we need to purchase. All we need to do is multiply the DPI of our printer by the height and width (in inches) of our final print. Continue reading “Understanding DPI and Resolution”