Introducing DPI printing

If you’re new to the world of printing, one of the first things you’ll need to know about is DPI. What does it stand for? Dots per inch. And why is it so important? It refers to the number of dots printed along a one-inch line. The higher the DPI figure, the more dots, and so the sharper and more accurate your print will be. It’s all about quality…

Dot and pixels

As well as DPI, you’ll come across the term PPI. This stands for pixels per inch, and it means precisely the same thing. Both of them are a measurement of the print resolution. The higher your resolution, the better quality your print will be – so you’re looking to reach a point where the dots, or pixels, are no longer visible.

Choosing your print mode

Most printers come with a choice of print modes, and this is usually a function that allows you to print at different DPIs. Your choice of resolution will depend on the type of printheads your printer uses, and the print driver or RIP software that you’re using to control the printer. Of course, printing in a higher DPI not only affects the quality of your print, but also the cost, and there’s naturally a trade-off between the two.

Inkjet printers are typically capable of 300 to 700 DPI, while laser printers can achieve anything from 600 to 2,400 DPI.

Your choice of DPI will depend upon how closely people are going to view your print. The greater the viewing distance, the smaller the pixels will appear. So, for example, if you’re printing something like a brochure or photograph that will be viewed close up, you’ll need to opt for about 300 DPI. However, if you’re printing a poster that will be viewed from a few feet away, you can probably get away with a DPI of about 100. A billboard is seen from even greater distances, in which case 20 DPI will be sufficient.

What about the media?

The substrate on which you’re printing will also affect your choice of the ideal DPI. Depending on how permeable it is, the media can alter the accuracy of your print. Compare the same DPI on glossy coated paper and uncoated paper-you’ll see that the image on the uncoated paper is not nearly as sharp as the image on the glossy paper. This means that you’ll need to adjust your DPI setting to get the same level of quality.

When in doubt, use a higher DPI than you think you might need, as it’s far preferable to have too much detail rather than not enough.

For advice on DPI and printer settings, talk to the print experts at Whatsapp/wechat:+8619906811790 or contact us via the website.