DPI or “dots per inch” is a way of measuring an image's original intended size and its resolution, or quality. DPI is a measurement of dots per inch of a printed or monitor-viewed image. The higher the dpi, the higher the resolution, and the better the image quality. Most stock photo agencies offer stock photos to buy from 72 dpi to 300 dpi. We recommend buying the highest resolution you can get. You can always change the DPI from 300 dpi to 72 dpi in any common image editing software like Photoshop.
When it comes to printing, understanding dpi (dots per inch) is essential. DPI can determine the quality of your prints as well as how large or small an image will appear on paper or other materials. But what exactly does dpi mean and how do you calculate it? This article provides a comprehensive guide to help you understand what is DPI and give tips for choosing the right resolution for your project. We'll also provide a table of commonly used resolutions so that you have all the information at hand when selecting images with optimal size and clarity!
What is DPI?
DPI stands for Dots Per Inch and is a measure of the resolution of an image. It refers to the number of individual dots that can be placed in a line within the span of one inch.
If an image was a mosaic, the dots per inch would be the tiles. So the higher the DPI, the more detail and clarity will be present in an image. For example, if you have two images with different resolutions – one at 72 dpi and another at 300 dpi – then the 300 dpi image will appear much sharper than its lower-resolution counterpart due to its increased level of detail.
Definition of DPI
DPI is used as a measurement for printing purposes and digital media such as web graphics or mobile devices.
When it comes to printing, higher DPI means better quality prints since each dot contains more information about color and shape, resulting in smoother gradients and sharper details when printed on paper or other materials.
Digital media also benefit from high-resolution images since they appear clearer on screens than low-resolution ones.
How Does DPI Affect Image Quality?
The amount of detail contained within an image depends heavily on its resolution (measured by pixels per inch or PPI) and its size (measured in inches). Higher resolution images contain more data which translates into greater levels of sharpness and clarity when viewed up close or zoomed in digitally; however, this increase in detail comes at a cost since larger files take longer to download or transfer over networks compared to smaller ones with lower resolutions. Additionally, some output devices may not support very high resolutions, so it’s important to consider your target audience before choosing your desired resolution for any given project.
What is the Difference Between PPI and DPI?
PPI and DPI are measures used to determine how much image data is contained within one inch. PPI stands for Pixels Per Inch, while DPI stands for Dot Per Inch.
There is a subtle difference between them – PPI measures how many pixels are displayed per inch, whereas DPI measures how many physical dots make up those same pixels when printed on paper or other material surfaces such as fabric or canvas.
This distinction becomes especially important when dealing with large format prints, as even small changes can drastically affect print quality; it is best practice to always use appropriate measurements depending on the type of output device being used (e.g., printer vs monitor).
Pro Tip: To ensure the optimal quality of your large format prints –such as billboards, posters, etc.– your best bet is to buy the highest resolution images possible. On Shutterstock, you can find high-resolution stock photos on every topic imaginable for between $0.22 and $9.80 per image, and they don't charge extra for bigger sizes! Even better, you can save on your purchase using our exclusive Shutterstock discount!
How to Calculate DPI?
Understanding Resolution and Pixel Dimensions
Resolution is the measure of how much detail an image contains. It is usually expressed in pixels per inch (PPI) or dots per inch (DPI). The higher the resolution, the more detail an image will contain. Pixel dimensions refer to the number of pixels that make up an image’s width and height. For example, a digital photo with a pixel dimension of 1000 x 1000 would have 1 million total pixels.
Most stock agencies show the DPI of a specific stock image next to the image. Make sure to check it before you buy or download the stock image.
Calculating the DPI of an Image
To calculate DPI from PPI, divide PPI by 2.5 for color images or 3 for black-and-white images. For example, if you have a digital photo with a resolution of 300 PPI, then its DPI would be 120 (300/2.5 = 120). This means that each square inch in your photo contains 120 dots or squares of color information when printed out on paper at full size.
Finding the Maximum Image Size for a Given Resolution and DPI
The maximum printable size for any given resolution can be calculated by dividing both pixel dimensions by the desired output resolution (in this case DPI). For example, if you had a 2000 x 1500 pixel image with a desired output resolution of 300 dpi, then it could be printed at 6⅔ inches wide by 5 inches tall (2000 / 300 = 6⅔; 1500 / 300 = 5).
Pro Tip: If, after calculating DPI, you realize you need a different-sized image for your project, don't worry! Large photos can be downsized easily (that's why we recommend always getting the largest size available), and with tools like Shutterstock Create –which is free for all and has a premium version included for free with your Shutterstock subscription– you can easily resize your image or your entire design in a few simple clicks.
Commonly Used DPI Resolutions
Low Resolution (72 dpi):
Low resolution is the lowest quality image setting and is typically used for web images or other digital applications. It produces a low-quality, pixelated image that will not look good when printed. For example, an 8×10 inch photo at 72 dpi would have a total of 576 x 720 pixels which would result in a very grainy looking print.
Medium Resolution (150 dpi):
Medium resolution is often used for printing photos on standard home printers or for viewing on computer monitors. This setting provides enough detail to produce decent prints but may lack sharpness and clarity compared to higher resolutions. An 8×10 inch photo at 150 dpi would have 1,200 x 1,500 pixels which should provide acceptable results when printed from most home printers.
High Resolution (300 dpi):
High resolution is considered the industry standard for professional printing and offers superior quality with more detail than lower resolutions can provide. An 8×10 inch photo at 300 dpi has 2,400 x 3,000 pixels which should be sufficient to create clear prints with crisp details even when enlarged significantly.
Very high-resolution settings are generally only necessary if you plan to enlarge your photos significantly or require extremely detailed prints such as those needed for large-format posters or billboards. An 8×10 inch photo at 600dpi has 4,800 x 6,000 pixels which will produce incredibly sharp prints even when enlarged multiple times over its original size without losing any detail or clarity in the process. For these cases, we recommend checking out our list of the best large stock photos.
Tips for Choosing the Right DPI for Your Project
When choosing the right DPI for a project, it is important to consider your output device or printer. Different printers and devices require different resolutions in order to produce quality images. For example, if you are printing photos on an inkjet printer, you will need a higher resolution than if you were printing on a laser printer. Understanding the requirements of your output device or printer can help ensure that your images look their best when printed.
It is also important to understand the file format requirements of your project before selecting a DPI resolution. Different file formats have different requirements for image size and resolution. For example, some web-based projects may require lower resolutions while print projects may require higher resolutions. Knowing what type of file format you need can help determine which DPI resolution will be most suitable for your project’s needs.
Finally, it is essential to know who your target audience is when selecting a DPI resolution for a project. If you are creating content for an older audience with less advanced technology such as smartphones or tablets, then using lower resolutions might be more appropriate than using higher ones since these devices cannot display high-resolution images properly without sacrificing quality or speed of loading time due to limited bandwidth capabilities. On the other hand, if you are targeting younger audiences with access to faster internet speeds and better technology, then using higher resolutions would be more beneficial in order to provide them with crisp visuals that they expect from modern websites and applications.
FAQs in Relation to What Is DPI
What is 300 DPI mean?
It refers to the number of dots that can fit into one inch (2.54 cm) when printed, with higher numbers indicating more detail in the image. For printing purposes, 300 dpi is considered a high-quality resolution and will produce sharp images with good color accuracy. When using digital images online or for other non-printing applications, 72 dpi is usually sufficient.
Does higher DPI mean better quality?
DPI stands for dots per inch and is a measure of the resolution of an image. Generally, higher DPI means more detail in an image, but it also depends on the quality of the original file. A high-resolution image with low-quality compression will still appear pixelated even at high DPI. On the other hand, a lower resolution image with good compression can look better than a higher resolution one that has been compressed poorly. Ultimately, both factors must be taken into account when determining if higher DPI means better quality or not.
What does 1000 DPI mean?
DPI stands for “dots per inch” and is a measure of resolution used to describe the quality of an image. It indicates how many dots (or pixels) are contained in one inch of an image, with higher DPI values indicating higher resolution images. A 1000 DPI image would contain 1,000 individual dots or pixels within each inch of the image, resulting in a high-quality, detailed picture.
What we learned about DPI
In conclusion, DPI is an important factor to consider when printing images. It can affect the quality of your printed image and determine the size at which it will be displayed. Understanding how to calculate DPI and what common resolutions are used for different projects can help you make sure that your prints look their best. Always check the DPI of the stock photo you are downloading. Make sure to download from high-quality stock photo agencies and learn how to apply the best DPI for your design project.
This article couldn't be more wrong. DPI has nothing to do with digital image quality, nothing to do with 'an image’s original intended size', or anything else. It's as meaningless as saying your image has a shoe size of 12. The internet is just a stream of data, there are no inches on it, and 72 DPI is not it's 'resolution'. Your online images can be 20,000 DPI and it will make no difference.