IMPORTANT NOTICE: Due to constraints by COVID-19 , we are doing our best to keep any production delays that may occur, to a minimum.
Printing Basics
PPI, DPI, &
Image Resolution
As a large purchaser of paper, our advocacy and purchasing preferences can create positive change all along the paper supply chain. We work with our paper suppliers to grow our use of FSC and post-consumer waste papers. Currently, 70% of all paper we purchase contains post-consumer waste fibre.
Pixel Basics
PPI (pixels per inch) is the number of pixels contained in a digital image. The density of pixels within a digital image refers to the amount of detail in an image, based on the concentration of pixels. This affects the print size of your design and the quality of the output. For an online printer, an image with a higher PPI tends to be higher quality because it has a greater pixel density.
DPI
DPI (dots per inch) refers to the resolution value of a physical printer. In other words, it’s the number of ink dots on a printed piece. DPI primarily concerns the print format, not digital. Printers reproduce an image with tiny dots, and the number of dots per inch affects the amount of detail and overall and the quality of the print.
Web Graphics
Using web graphics for print projects is not recommended. They are commonly created in 72 or 96 PPI, which is considered low-resolution. At that resolution, they don’t contain the amount of information you’ll need for the final printed piece. At 72 or 96 PPI, you’ll see more pixelation on the final printed piece than is visible when viewing it on a screen.
PPI
Image Resolution
Resolution
Image resolution refers to the level of detail in an image. Raster images are composed of a series of pixels, and as mentioned above, the greater the PPI the greater the print quality.
High Resolution
The best resolution for printing is 300 PPI with placed images at 100% or smaller. Increasing the size of an image will lower its final PPI. At 300 PPI, an image will appear sharp and crisp. This is considered to be high resolution or high-res.
Low Resolution
Images below 200 PPI are considered low resolution or low-res. Low-res images will appear pixelated and blurred after printing even though they might look perfect on your computer screen. This happens because there are not enough pixels per inch to maintain a sharp image.
Printing Basics
Printing Methods 101
PPI, DPI & Image Resolution
Dot Patterns
Color
Black vs. Full-Color Ink
Toner vs. Electroink
Ink Technology: Large Format
Dye Sublimation Printing
Bleeds & Borders
Cutting Tolerance
Crossover
Creep
FontsSmall Format StocksLarge Format SubstratesAcrylic vs. PETGFabric Backdrops vs. Vinyl Backdrops
Format Recommendations
Image resolution refers to the level of detail in an image. Raster images are composed of a series of pixels, and as mentioned above, the greater the PPI the greater the print quality.
Large Format
The best resolution for printing is 300 PPI with placed images at 100% or smaller. Increasing the size of an image will lower its final PPI. At 300 PPI, an image will appear sharp and crisp. This is considered to be high resolution or high-res.
View Image Size in Photoshop
Images below 200 PPI are considered low resolution or low-res. Low-res images will appear pixelated and blurred after printing even though they might look perfect on your computer screen. This happens because there are not enough pixels per inch to maintain a sharp image.
Small Format
