1. Understanding DPI for Print: What It Is and Why It Matters

    One of the most common reasons print artwork fails is resolution — specifically, images and files that don't have enough dots per inch (DPI) for the size they're being printed at. The result is blurry, pixelated output that no amount of good design can rescue. Understanding DPI is one of the most important technical skills for anyone who creates artwork for print.

    In this guide, we explain exactly what DPI means, what resolution you need for different print products and how to check and fix your files before sending them to print.

    What is DPI?

    DPI stands for dots per inch. It measures how many individual ink dots a printer places within one inch of space on a printed surface. The more dots per inch, the more detail and sharpness in the printed result.

    When applied to digital images and artwork files, DPI (sometimes referred to as PPI — pixels per inch — for digital images) describes how much image information is available per inch at a given print size. A high-DPI image has more pixel information per inch, resulting in a sharper, more detailed print. A low-DPI image has less information per inch, resulting in a blurry, pixelated print.

    Why DPI Matters for Print

    Digital screens display images at 72–96 DPI, which looks perfectly sharp on screen because screens emit light and pixels are very small. Print works differently — ink dots on paper are viewed in reflected light and at much closer range. An image that looks fine at 72 DPI on screen will print noticeably blurry at most standard print sizes.

    This is why images downloaded from websites almost always look sharp on screen but produce poor results when printed — they were created at screen resolution (72 DPI), not print resolution (300 DPI).

    What DPI Should You Use?

    The right DPI depends on the size of the printed product and the distance from which it will be viewed:

    • Business cards, flyers, leaflets, brochures and postcards — 300 DPI minimum. These products are viewed close up, so every detail needs to be sharp. See our business card printing and flyer printing ranges
    • Posters (A3 to A1) — 300 DPI at final size. Viewed at closer range, so full resolution is important
    • Large format posters and banners (A0 and above) — 150 DPI is generally acceptable at final size. These products are viewed from a greater distance, where the reduced resolution is not visible to the naked eye. See our large format poster printing
    • Exhibition displays and roller banners — 150 DPI at 1:1 scale. Viewed from a normal standing distance. See our roller banner printing
    • Vehicle graphics, building wraps and very large format — 72–100 DPI at final size is often sufficient as these are viewed from a distance

    A Common Misconception: Upscaling Doesn't Work

    A frequent mistake is taking a low-resolution image and simply increasing the DPI or file size in Photoshop. This does not add new image information — it just stretches what's already there, resulting in a blurry or soft image. You cannot improve print quality by upscaling a low-resolution file.

    The only solutions when you have a low-resolution image are:

    • Source a higher-resolution version — contact the photographer, designer or image library for the original high-resolution file
    • Use a vector file instead — vector graphics (AI, EPS, SVG, PDF) are resolution-independent and scale to any size without any loss of quality. Always use vector files for logos. See our guide on artwork setup for print
    • Redesign or replace the image — if no high-resolution version exists, replacing the image with one from a stock library at the correct resolution is often the best option

    How to Check the DPI of Your Artwork

    Before submitting artwork for print, always check the resolution of your images at the final printed size:

    In Adobe Photoshop

    1. Open your image in Photoshop
    2. Go to Image ? Image Size
    3. Make sure "Resample" is unchecked
    4. Set the width and height to your intended printed dimensions
    5. Check the Resolution field — it should read 300 DPI (or 150 DPI for large format)

    In Adobe Illustrator or InDesign

    Use the Links panel to check the effective PPI of any placed images at their current size in your document. The effective PPI must meet the minimum for your product type.

    In PDF format

    Use Adobe Acrobat's Output Preview or Preflight tools to check image resolution across your entire document before submitting.

    DPI Checklist Before Sending to Print

    • All images are 300 DPI at the final printed size (150 DPI for large format)
    • Logos and icons are vector files — not low-resolution JPEGs or PNGs
    • Images have not been upscaled from a lower resolution
    • Artwork is exported as a high-resolution PDF with images embedded
    • Colour mode is CMYK — see our guide: What is CMYK and Why Does it Matter?
    • Bleed and safe zone are set up correctly — see our guide: What is Bleed and Safe Zone?
    • Full proof check completed — see our proof checking guide

    Get Sharp, Professional Print Results with Dipol Print

    When your artwork is set up correctly, the results speak for themselves. At Dipol Print, we print everything from business cards and flyers to large format posters and banners for businesses across Brighton & Hove and the wider UK.

    Not sure if your artwork is print-ready? Get in touch with our Brighton team — we're happy to check your files and advise before you place your order. Or visit us at 97 St James's Street, Brighton BN2 1TP.