What resolution do my files need to be?
For close-view print, aim for 300 pixels per inch (PPI, often called DPI) at final printed size. Large-format suitability depends on viewing distance, artwork and material. The table below is guidance, not automatic acceptance of lower-resolution files; send those files for review before production.
Image PPI and printer DPI
PPI (pixels per inch) describes raster-image detail at its printed size. DPI (dots per inch) describes printer output; the terms are often used interchangeably in file instructions, but they are not the same measurement. The key phrase is at final size: a photo that looks crisp on screen can still print blurry if it is enlarged. A 1000 × 1000 px image is only about 3.3" wide at 300 PPI.
Resolution by product
All image-resolution figures below mean PPI at final size. Lower figures are candidates for review, not guaranteed production limits. Fine text, logos and close viewing may need higher resolution regardless of the product size.
| Product | Recommended | Lower-resolution review |
|---|---|---|
| Business cards, flyers, postcards, brochures | 300 PPI | Keep 300 PPI for close-view detail; send lower-resolution artwork for review |
| Stickers & labels | 300 PPI | Keep 300 PPI for close-view detail; send lower-resolution artwork for review |
| Posters (close viewing) | 200–300 PPI | 150 PPI only after artwork and viewing-distance review |
| Banners & yard signs (distance viewing) | 150 PPI | 100 PPI only after artwork and viewing-distance review |
How to check resolution
- Photoshop: Image → Image Size; turn Resample off, set the final print width and height, and read the resulting pixels-per-inch value. Increasing a resolution label alone does not restore missing detail.
- Vector artwork: vector paths and type scale without a fixed pixel resolution. AI, EPS and PDF can also contain raster images, which still need sufficient resolution. Keep logos and type as vector where possible.
Judge a web image by its actual pixel dimensions at the required print size, not by a 72-DPI label alone. Enlarging a small raster image can make it look soft. When in doubt, send the largest original you have and we will advise. See also accepted file formats and file guidelines.
Technical reference: Adobe: image size, pixels and print resolution.