> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.printery.app/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# DPI & Resolution

> Understanding print resolution - ensure your designs print sharp and clear

## What is DPI?

**DPI** stands for **Dots Per Inch** - it measures how many tiny dots of ink are printed in each inch of your design.

<Note>
  **Simple Analogy**: Think of a mosaic made of tiny tiles. More tiles per inch = more detail and smoother image. Fewer tiles = chunky, pixelated look.
</Note>

## DPI vs PPI: What's the Difference?

| Term    | Full Name       | Used For     | Meaning           |
| ------- | --------------- | ------------ | ----------------- |
| **DPI** | Dots Per Inch   | **Printing** | Ink dots on paper |
| **PPI** | Pixels Per Inch | **Screens**  | Pixels on display |

In practice, these terms are often used interchangeably in digital design, but:

* **Technical**: Your Figma file has **pixels** (PPI)
* **Printing**: Your printer creates **dots** (DPI)

<Info>
  For print design, when someone says "300 DPI," they mean the printed output will have 300 dots of ink per inch.
</Info>

## Why 300 DPI?

**300 DPI** is the universal standard for quality printing because:

1. **Human eye limit**: Most people can't see individual dots at 300 DPI
2. **Sharp text**: Letters look crisp and clear
3. **Smooth images**: Photos appear photographic, not pixelated
4. **Industry standard**: All professional printers expect 300 DPI

### Resolution Comparison

| DPI       | Quality    | Use Case                                        |
| --------- | ---------- | ----------------------------------------------- |
| **72-96** | Low        | Screen only (websites, apps)                    |
| **150**   | Medium     | Newspapers, viewed from distance                |
| **300**   | High       | **Standard printing** (books, brochures, cards) |
| **600**   | Very High  | Line art, very fine details                     |
| **1200+** | Ultra High | Specialty printing (rare)                       |

<Warning>
  **72 DPI looks great on screens but terrible when printed!** Never use screen-resolution images for print.
</Warning>

## How to Calculate Required Resolution

### The Formula

```
Required Pixels = (Physical Size in Inches) × (DPI)
```

### Real Examples

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Business Card">
    **Size**: 3.5" × 2" (US standard)
    **Target DPI**: 300

    **Calculation**:

    * Width: 3.5" × 300 = **1050 pixels**
    * Height: 2" × 300 = **600 pixels**

    **Required**: **1050 × 600 px** minimum
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="A4 Flyer">
    **Size**: 8.27" × 11.69" (A4)
    **Target DPI**: 300

    **Calculation**:

    * Width: 8.27" × 300 = **2481 pixels**
    * Height: 11.69" × 300 = **3507 pixels**

    **Required**: **2481 × 3507 px** minimum
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Poster">
    **Size**: 24" × 36"
    **Target DPI**: 150 (viewed from distance)

    **Calculation**:

    * Width: 24" × 150 = **3600 pixels**
    * Height: 36" × 150 = **5400 pixels**

    **Required**: **3600 × 5400 px** minimum
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Logo (Small)">
    **Size**: 1" × 1" on business card
    **Target DPI**: 300

    **Calculation**:

    * Size: 1" × 300 = **300 pixels**

    **Required**: **300 × 300 px** minimum (prefer vector!)
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

## Effective DPI in Figma

When you place an image in Figma and resize it, the **effective DPI changes**:

### How It Works

```
Effective DPI = (Image Pixels / Physical Size in Inches)
```

### Example Scenario

You have a photo that's **1500 × 1000 pixels**:

| Size in Design | Width (inches) | Effective DPI            | Quality                   |
| -------------- | -------------- | ------------------------ | ------------------------- |
| **5" wide**    | 5"             | 1500 ÷ 5 = **300 DPI**   | ✅ Perfect!                |
| **10" wide**   | 10"            | 1500 ÷ 10 = **150 DPI**  | ⚠️ Acceptable for posters |
| **15" wide**   | 15"            | 1500 ÷ 15 = **100 DPI**  | ❌ Too low                 |
| **2.5" wide**  | 2.5"           | 1500 ÷ 2.5 = **600 DPI** | ✅ Excellent (overkill)    |

<Info>
  **Key Insight**: Smaller images in your design = Higher effective DPI. Larger images = Lower effective DPI.
</Info>

## Using the DPI Checker in Printery

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open Printery">
    Select your frame and launch the plugin
  </Step>

  <Step title="Go to DPI Check Tab">
    Click the **"DPI Check"** tab in the plugin
  </Step>

  <Step title="Review All Images">
    The plugin shows a list of all images in your design with:

    * Image name
    * Original size (pixels)
    * Size in design (mm/inches)
    * Effective DPI
    * Warning if below 300 DPI
  </Step>

  <Step title="Fix Low-Resolution Images">
    For images marked ⚠️:

    * Replace with higher resolution version
    * Make image smaller in design
    * Remove if not critical
  </Step>

  <Step title="Verify">
    All images should show:

    * **300+ DPI** for standard print
    * **150-200+ DPI** for large format
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Tip>
  **Pro Tip**: Check DPI **before** finalizing your design, not right before export. Finding high-res replacements takes time!
</Tip>

## Common DPI Scenarios

### Scenario 1: Image from Web

**Problem**: Downloaded image from Google/website

**Reality**: Most web images are **72-96 DPI** (screen resolution)

**Solution**:

* Find original high-res source
* Use stock photo sites (Unsplash, Shutterstock)
* Take your own high-res photos
* Use vector graphics instead

***

### Scenario 2: Scaling Up Images

**Problem**: Small image stretched to fill space

**Reality**: Effective DPI drops proportionally

**Example**:

* Original: 500px wide at 100 DPI
* Scaled 3×: Now 33 DPI! ❌

**Solution**: Start with larger source images

***

### Scenario 3: Logos and Icons

**Problem**: Raster logo file (PNG/JPG)

**Reality**: Looks pixelated when printed

**Solution**: Use **vector** formats:

* ✅ SVG (best for Figma)
* ✅ PDF (vector)
* ✅ AI/EPS (if available)

<Info>
  **Vector graphics** don't have DPI limitations - they scale infinitely without quality loss!
</Info>

## Different DPI for Different Projects

Not everything needs 300 DPI:

### High DPI (300-600)

**When to use**:

* Business cards
* Brochures
* Magazines
* Books
* Product packaging
* Any close-viewing print

**Why**: Viewed from 12-18 inches away

***

### Medium DPI (150-200)

**When to use**:

* Posters (A2 or larger)
* Banners
* Trade show displays
* Window graphics

**Why**: Viewed from 3-10 feet away

***

### Low DPI (72-150)

**When to use**:

* Billboards
* Building wraps
* Large venue signage

**Why**: Viewed from 30+ feet away

<Note>
  **Viewing Distance Rule**: The farther away people view it, the lower DPI you can use.
</Note>

## Optimizing File Size vs Quality

Higher DPI = Larger file size. Find the balance:

| DPI       | File Size | Print Quality | Best For                       |
| --------- | --------- | ------------- | ------------------------------ |
| **150**   | Small     | Acceptable    | Large format, distance viewing |
| **300**   | Medium    | Excellent     | Standard print (recommended)   |
| **600**   | Large     | Overkill      | Line art, very fine details    |
| **1200+** | Huge      | Unnecessary   | Waste of space for photos      |

<Tip>
  **Recommendation**: Use 300 DPI for photos and 600+ DPI for black & white line art or text-only images.
</Tip>

## Fixing Low-Resolution Images

If your image is below 300 DPI, you have options:

### Option 1: Get Higher Resolution Source

**Best solution**:

* Find original file
* Re-download from source (not Google Images!)
* Use stock photo sites
* Take new photo

***

### Option 2: Make Image Smaller in Design

If 1200px image is 8" wide (150 DPI):

* Reduce to 4" wide = 300 DPI ✓

**Trade-off**: Image takes up less space in design

***

### Option 3: AI Upscaling (Use Carefully)

Tools like:

* Topaz Gigapixel AI
* Photoshop Super Resolution
* Online upscalers

**Warning**: Can't add detail that isn't there - use only when necessary

***

### Option 4: Accept Lower Quality (Last Resort)

For some projects:

* Background textures
* Non-critical decorative elements
* Large format prints

**Only acceptable if**:

* Not critical to design
* Printer approves
* Budget/time constraints

## Text and DPI

### Vector Text (Recommended)

Text in Figma is **vector** - it doesn't have DPI limitations:

* ✅ Scales perfectly
* ✅ Always sharp
* ✅ No pixelation

**When exporting PDF**: Text remains vector (perfect!)

***

### Rasterized Text (Avoid)

If text becomes pixels (rasterized):

* Must follow same 300 DPI rule
* Can become blurry
* Loses sharpness

**How to keep text vector**: Don't flatten or rasterize text layers

## DPI in Different File Formats

| Format     | DPI Handling      | Best For                |
| ---------- | ----------------- | ----------------------- |
| **PDF**    | Preserves vectors | Print (best choice)     |
| **PNG**    | Fixed resolution  | Web, raster needs       |
| **JPG**    | Fixed resolution  | Photos, continuous tone |
| **SVG**    | Vector (no DPI)   | Logos, icons            |
| **EPS/AI** | Vector (no DPI)   | Professional printing   |

<Info>
  **PDF exports from Printery** maintain vector text and graphics while embedding images at your specified DPI.
</Info>

## Checking DPI in Your Exported PDF

### In Adobe Acrobat (Pro)

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open PDF">
    Open your exported PDF in Adobe Acrobat Pro
  </Step>

  <Step title="Open Output Preview">
    Tools → Print Production → Output Preview
  </Step>

  <Step title="Check Image Resolution">
    Look at "Object Inspector" - click on images to see their resolution
  </Step>
</Steps>

### Visual Test

<Steps>
  <Step title="Zoom to 100%">
    View PDF at 100% zoom
  </Step>

  <Step title="Zoom to 200-300%">
    Zoom in further - text should still be crisp
  </Step>

  <Step title="Check Images">
    Images should look smooth, not pixelated
  </Step>
</Steps>

## DPI Checklist

Before sending to print:

* [ ] **All images checked**: Used DPI Checker tool
* [ ] **300+ DPI**: Every photo meets minimum
* [ ] **Logos are vector**: SVG or vector-based
* [ ] **Text is vector**: Not rasterized
* [ ] **Large format adjusted**: 150-200 DPI if appropriate
* [ ] **Replacements sourced**: High-res versions obtained
* [ ] **PDF verified**: Spot-checked in PDF viewer

<Check>
  If all checked, your resolution is print-ready!
</Check>

## Common DPI Mistakes

<Warning>
  **Top 5 DPI Mistakes**:

  1. Using web images (72 DPI) in print
  2. Scaling up small images (lowers effective DPI)
  3. Not checking DPI before finalizing design
  4. Using PNG logos instead of SVG
  5. Exporting at wrong DPI setting
</Warning>

## Quick Reference

| Measurement            | Value        | Purpose                      |
| ---------------------- | ------------ | ---------------------------- |
| **Standard Print**     | 300 DPI      | Books, brochures, cards      |
| **Large Format**       | 150-200 DPI  | Posters, banners             |
| **Billboards**         | 50-100 DPI   | Very large, distant viewing  |
| **Line Art**           | 600-1200 DPI | B\&W graphics, fine detail   |
| **Minimum Acceptable** | 250 DPI      | Absolute minimum for quality |

## Learn More

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Image Optimization" icon="image" href="/features/export-settings">
    Control DPI and compression in exports
  </Card>

  <Card title="Working with Images" icon="photo-film" href="/tutorials/design-to-print">
    Best practices for print images
  </Card>

  <Card title="Troubleshooting" icon="circle-exclamation" href="/troubleshooting/text-quality">
    Fix blurry or pixelated outputs
  </Card>

  <Card title="FAQ" icon="question" href="/troubleshooting/faq">
    Common resolution questions
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

<Info>
  **Remember**: When in doubt, go higher resolution. You can always reduce, but you can't add detail that isn't there!
</Info>