DPI vs PPI: what resolution you need for printing

PPI, or pixels per inch, describes the resolution of a digital image, while DPI, or dots per inch, describes how many dots of ink a printer places on paper. For print files, the number that matters is PPI. Images for close-viewed pieces such as business cards, flyers and postcards should be 300 ppi at their final printed size.

To price printing once your files are ready, see our flyers and posters page.

What PPI means

A digital image is made of pixels. PPI tells you how many of those pixels fit into one inch when the image is printed, so the same image prints at a different PPI depending on its size. A photo that is 3000 x 2000 pixels prints at 300 ppi at 10 x 6.67 in, and at 150 ppi when it is enlarged to 20 x 13.33 in.

• Pixel dimensions are fixed, such as 3000 x 2000 px.
• Print size is the physical size on paper, such as 10 x 6.67 in.
• PPI is the pixel width divided by the print width in inches.

What DPI means

DPI is a property of the printing device. Inkjet printers, laser printers and commercial presses build images from tiny dots of ink or toner, and the DPI rating describes how fine those dots are. Offset presses describe their halftone screens in lines per inch (LPI), often 150 to 175 lpi for photographs on coated paper. A common rule is that image resolution should be about twice the screen ruling, which is why 300 ppi is the standard for print.

Many programs and print shops use DPI and PPI to mean the same thing. When a printer asks for a 300 dpi file, the request means images that are 300 ppi at final size.

How much resolution do you need?

• Business cards, postcards, flyers and brochures: 300 ppi at final size.
• Posters viewed from a few feet away: 150 to 300 ppi at final size.
• Banners and signs viewed from a distance: 150 ppi or less at final size, and often around 100 ppi for very large banners.
• Logos and text: vector artwork where possible, since vectors print sharply at any size.

Our guide to banner sizes lists common large-format dimensions, and our business card size guide shows the pixel size of a card at 300 ppi.

How to check resolution in Photoshop and Canva

In Photoshop, open the Image menu and choose Image Size. Turn off Resample, then type 300 in the Resolution field. The width and height fields will show the largest size the image can print at 300 ppi without adding pixels.

Canva does not show the PPI of placed images. To check a photo, find its pixel width and divide it by the width it will print at in inches. For example, a photo 1500 pixels wide used across a 5 in wide postcard prints at 300 ppi. When you download the finished design, choose PDF Print, which is the Canva option intended for print files.

In InDesign, the Links panel shows the effective PPI of each image, which accounts for any scaling in the layout.

Why you cannot add resolution later

Changing the resolution number without resampling only changes the print size. Resampling to a higher pixel count adds pixels, but it does not add real detail, so enlarged images still look soft. Images saved from websites and social media are usually too small for print, so ask the photographer or designer for the original files. Starting with correctly sized images also avoids reprints, which keeps paper and ink out of the waste stream. Our print-ready files guide covers resolution along with bleed and color settings.

Common questions

What is the difference between DPI and PPI?

PPI measures the pixels in a digital image, and DPI measures the ink dots a printer places on paper. For print files, PPI is the number to check.

What DPI is best for printing?

Use images at 300 ppi at final size for close-viewed print. Large banners viewed from a distance can use 150 ppi or less.

Is 72 dpi good enough for print?

A 72 ppi image is usually too low for print and will look soft or pixelated at its intended size.

How do I convert an image to 300 dpi?

In Photoshop, turn off Resample and set the resolution to 300. The print size will change to the largest size the image can print at 300 ppi without losing quality.