Image Quality & Resolution Basics
Is there anything worse than getting your projects printed and receiving your prints back with blurry images? Paying attention to the image quality and resolution is a great way to avoid printing projects with blurred images.
Image resolution is determined by the number of pixels divided by the size of the image.
Depending on the print item, there are different specifications for the project. The designer on the project needs to make sure the images are at the correct resolution, and we verify the file once it’s sent to us. We’ve listed a few tips on image quality and resolution for how to know if your images will be clear or grainy.
Tip 1:
Ensure your images are at the optimal dots per inch (dpi). For print, we need images to be at 300 dpi for clear, crisp projects.
Tip 2:
Using programs such as Adobe Photoshop will help to determine if your image has high resolution.
Tip 3:
Avoid using pulling images off the web. These images are typically uploaded at 72 dpi, which is too low for print.
Tip 4:
Don’t confuse image size for file size. Although your image may be a large file, it does not guarantee it is the required resolution for print, and it may need to be adjusted for print.
Tip 5:
Don’t assume the image will look good in print even though it looks good and clear on the computer screen.
If you stick by these five basic tips, your print project will have the best chances of turning out clear and crisp. Your designer is always welcome to contact us directly for any questions regarding print preferences and image resolution!