HELP CENTER

Image Resolution

Vector graphics are resolution-independent and thus their resolution is determined by their output device. On your computer screen, they display at 72dpi and when printed they typically display at 300dpi. Because their elements are mathematically defined, scaling them simply requires modification of their mathematical descriptions.

Whereas vector graphics are resolution independent, raster images are resolution dependent. The dimensions and the number of pixels that occupy the space must be defined. Raster image resolution is specified in pixels per inch (ppi) or more commonly, dots per inch (dpi). Dpi more appropriately is attributed to device resolution or output resolution, where the number of dots an output device is able to produce within an inch represents the resolution of the device. For instance, screen resolution is typically defined at 72dpi while print can be defined as 240dpi, 300dpi or even more depending on what type of printing is being used for final output.

Pixels and Resolution

By dividing the number of pixels in the height and in the width of a raster or bitmap image by its resolution will determine the physical size of the image - e.g., a 300dpi raster image that is 1200 pixels wide and 1800 pixels high is 4 inches wide by 6 inches high.

There is much confusion surrounding the topic of web vs. print-quality resolution. Since a computer monitor displays images at 72 dpi, a web-quality image that measures 4 inches wide by 6 inches high at 72dpi would measure 288 pixels wide by 432 pixels high - roughly one-third the size of a 300dpi print-quality image with the same dimensions in inches. Generally speaking, images taken from the web are much to small to render when sent to print and are not suitable for this application.

To guarantee the best quality, all ../images submitted to print should be at least 300dpi. Images that are less than 300dpi will print poorly.