What Does DPI Mean? A Guide to Image & Print Quality

While printing an image for hoardings and other purposes, image quality and resolution are the most important factors to consider. However, there is one more aspect that you should know beforehand. Yes, we are talking about DPI. What is DPI and how does it affect a project? Whether you are looking for image designing work or simply need detailed information about DPI, go through this comprehensive guide.

What Does DPI Mean?

Dots Per Inch is abbreviated as DPI. It is the number of droplets of ink a printer produces per inch when printing images. This means more dots per inch will show you better detail after printing. It is mainly used for printer resolution to show the detail and clarity of images on the paper. Thus, it is crucial for designers and photographers as it indicates the printed assets’ i.e. hoarding, magazine, brochure, poster, quality.

What is DPI on Printer?

After knowing the meaning, you must know what is DPI resolution’s importance for image printing. Here are some points to help you know the same:

• DPI is important to make images look high-quality and crisp.
• With higher DPI, ink droplets will be tightly and closely bunched together to make the print clear.
• DPI is also considered by scanners to measure the quality of images while scanning.
• 300 DPI is the best resolution to print clear and quality images with more text.

What is 300 DPI Resolution?

When you need to know what is 300 DPI in pixels, you must keep in mind it is nothing but 300 dots of ink droplets that an inch has. In general, 300 DPI is used by graphic designers and photographers. This is considered a benchmark or standard DPI for printing clear and high-quality images. However, if you have larger images to print for hoarding panels, higher resolution and DPI i.e. 600 DPI can be needed.

Are DPI and PPI the Same?

The direct answer for this is a BIG NO. DPI is Dots Per Inch (we have already discussed it in detail above) while PPI means Pixels Per Inch. PPI is the pixel amount that every single inch of digital image makes up. This describes the resolution of an image on the screen. Therefore, these can be a little perplexing but are a little different.

How to Decide on the DPI?

The selection of the appropriate DPI will depend on the purpose and desired results. For this, you can consider the below-listed factors:

• Size: You may or may not know but when you have a larger image for printing, you will need a higher DPI so that it can look clear and crisp. Just keep in mind that with more dots of ink per inch, you can easily scale the images without compromising on the quality.
• Distance of Viewing: To decide on the DPI, you should also consider the distance from where your viewers will be watching the printed asset. For instance, if you are printing images for big hoardings, check the distance between the hoardings and your viewer. Based on the same, you can define the image size and DPI.
• Paper, Ink, and Printer: Lastly, the DPI also depends on the materials and printer type that you are going to use. These elements have a direct impact on how clear and crisp the printed image will look.

What is the Standard DPI Benchmark for Images?

Before you opt for professional printing services, you must know what DPI should I use for printing high-quality images. Here are some details to help you decide better:

• 100 DPI: This DPI is considered ideal when making posters. In simple terms, 100 DPI is for test images or smaller images. However, you must consider the viewing distance and size of the final product.
• 300 DPI: When you have a business document, flyer, or photograph for printing, you can go for 300 DPI to have exceptional quality prints.
• 600 DPI: For a higher-quality and more professional look in your hoarding panels, construction site hoardings, exhibition artwork, and magazine images, you can opt for 600 DPI. This level of resolution is particularly useful for composite boardprinting,where fine details and vibrant colors are essential for a premium finish.

To Sum Up Everything,

DPI is quite a simple but important aspect to reach exceptional quality of prints and designs. Whether you need details regarding what is DPI or you are struggling with the ways to make your hoarding images print-ready, you can get in touch with Hoarding Print Company. Being a prominent name in this segment, you will not require worrying about the quality and resolution of the printed images.