How Do I Check My Image or Graphic Resolution?

Getting ready to print some awesome designs or photos? Make sure your images are high-resolution for the best results! Learn about resolution (DPI/PPI), why vector graphics are your best friend, and how to work with lower resolution images when needed. Plus, get tips on checking your image info on PC and MAC, and use our handy table to match image dimensions, resolution, and print size. Perfect prints every time—let's dive in!

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How to Check Your Photo, Image, or Graphic Size for High-Quality Prints

Hey there! So, you’re getting ready to print some awesome designs or photos, but you’re not quite sure if your images are high enough resolution. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! Let’s break down everything you need to know about checking and understanding your image sizes and resolution to make sure your prints look fantastic.

Graphic Design Artwork File Type Icon

Raster vs. Vector: File Types for Your Design Needs

In this article, we’ll guide you on how to check the resolution of your raster-based graphics (also known as pixel-based designs). In most cases, these are photographs, or graphics that have been saved in a pixel format.

Raster/pixel-based designs are suitable only for certain product types that are available on our website. We recommend reviewing the accepted file types for specific products you intend to order to ensure compatibility. Common file types for these graphics include .jpg, .png, .tiff, and .psd.

If you have a vector graphic file—our recommended format—this guide isn’t necessary for you. Vector graphics can be scaled to any size without losing quality. You can use a vector graphic for all product types on our website. Common vector file types are .ai, .eps, .pdf, and .svg.

Understanding Resolution (DPI/PPI)

Resolution refers to the level of detail in an image, measured in DPI (Dots Per Inch) or PPI (Pixels Per Inch). DPI is all about printing and describes the number of printed dots per inch in your image. PPI, on the other hand, talks about the number of pixels per inch on your screen.

Higher resolution means more detail and clarity. For those super crisp and clear prints, you want your images to be at least 300 DPI/PPI. This ensures no visible pixelation and keeps everything looking sharp.

Sometimes you cannot obtain images with this high of dpi/ppi. We will cover more about this later in the article.

Inspecting an Image Size in Photoshop
Adobe Photoshop Image Size - PC (CTRL + I) MAC (CMD + I)
Image Resolution in Photoshop
Image Size Window

Mixed Resolutions: Don't Be Fooled By The Numbers!

When you’re getting a design ready for print, it’s important not to just trust the pixel dimensions or DPI/PPI settings at face value. Even if your file shows a high DPI, it could still have lower-resolution images embedded in it, which might mess with the overall quality.

You could end up with some parts of the design looking sharp while others come out blurry or pixelated. To avoid this, make sure to double-check every element in your file to confirm that everything meets the resolution needed for a clean, professional print. That’s why it’s super important to open the file and really zoom in—like, all the way to 100%—to see the details up close. This way, you can spot any areas that might not be as sharp as they should be and fix them before they go to print, ensuring everything comes out looking clean and professional.

File Resolution of a Graphic with both High and Low
File With Mixed Resolution
Highlighting Low Resolution Areas of a Design
Low Resolution Areas Highlighted
File Resolution of a Graphic with both High and Low
Click to view in lightbox and zoom in.

As you can see, when viewed from a distance or displayed small on a screen, the blur or pixelation is barely noticeable, which might be fine for your project. However, keep in mind that when your sign is viewed up close, you might see some blur or pixelation, as shown in the zoomed-in image above.

Photograph Example

In this comparison, the image on the left was saved or downsized to a very low dpi/ppi and is very pixelated. Compared to the original photograph which has very crisp detail and high resolution.

Low resolution image of a dog
Low Resolution
300 dpi image of a dog
High Resolution

Keep in mind that even if your file’s resolution is high, the quality of the original photo or design plays a big role in the final print. Several factors can cause a high-resolution file to still result in a blurry or pixelated print.

For instance:

  • If the photo was out of focus when it was taken. It will be hard to regain clarity without a lot of photo editing and effects
  • If it was shot from a distance and later cropped to zoom in to enlarge the subject, the image quality can suffer.
For Best Results

Remember, the overall quality of your print starts with how the photo, image, or design was created—no amount of resolution can improve a low-quality original. It can only go downhill from there, so starting with a crisp, clear image is crucial. There are a few resizing techniques that can assist in maintaining the quality of larger prints, but it is recommended to take good photos first!

When Lower Resolution is Acceptable

If you’re unsure about your graphic’s resolution and whether it will print well, you can submit your files using the form at the bottom of this page.

Print Size

Can’t get your hands on a high-resolution image? No sweat. If you’re working with prints smaller than 12 inches, a lower-resolution image might still do the trick. The smaller the print, the less noticeable the lower the resolution will be. We will let you know while setting up your proofs if there are any issues to deal with.

Viewing Distance

If you’re ordering something that will be viewed from a distance, like a wall sign that is viewed from afar, a billboard, or vehicle graphics, the pixelation from a lower-resolution image becomes less noticeable. While it’s always better to use high-resolution images, there are situations where lower resolution can still work without losing too much quality. Ultimately, it depends on what level of quality you’re comfortable with for the money you’re investing in your signage.

Computer Monitor Icon

Saving Images From A Website?

When saving images from websites, it’s important to note that their resolution is often optimized for web display rather than print quality. Most online images are saved at 72 DPI, which looks great on screens but can appear pixelated and blurry when printed. 

This may work for small prints or certain applications, but is not ideal for print production.

For high-quality prints, aim to use images with a resolution of at least 300 DPI. If you’re planning to print, make sure to source high-resolution images or vector graphics to ensure your final product looks sharp and professional.

Vector Graphics: No Resolution Worries

If you’re using vector graphics, you can skip the resolution headache. Vector graphics use mathematical formulas to create shapes and lines, making them infinitely scalable without losing any quality. That means you can blow up your vector graphic to billboard size or shrink it to fit on a business card, and it will always look perfect. That’s why vectors are the go-to for logos, text, and illustrations in print production. Just remember, this doesn’t apply to photographs – those still need to be high resolution.

Outline Previewing Vector Files In Adobe Illustrator

Checking Your Image Info on PC and MAC

Want to check your image’s resolution and dimensions? Here’s how to do it:

On Windows (PC):

  1. Right-click on the image file.
  2. Select Properties.
  3. Go to the Details tab.
  4. Look for the Dimensions (width and height in pixels) and Horizontal/Vertical resolution (DPI).

On macOS (MAC):

  1. Open the image file using the Preview application.
  2. Select Menu > Show Inspector.
  3. Look for the Image Size (width and height in pixels) and Image DPI section which includes DPI.
Mac Preview Show Inspector in Menu Dropdown
Using Mac Preview app you can select Menu > Show Inspector to view file details.
Mac View Graphic Details for Size and DPI in Menu
Displays the pixel dimensions and DPI for your raster / pixel image.

Quick Reference Table

Here’s a handy table to help you understand how image dimensions, resolution, and print size work together:

Image Dimensions (Pixels) Resolution (DPI/PPI) Print Size (Inches)
3000 x 2400 300 10 x 8
3000 x 2400 150 20 x 16
1500 x 1200 300 5 x 4
1500 x 1200 150 10 x 8
6000 x 4800 300 20 x 16
6000 x 4800 150 40 x 32
2400 x 1800 300 8 x 6
2400 x 1800 150 16 x 12
  • Determine Your Desired Print Size:
    • Pick the print size you want (e.g., 10 x 8 inches).
  • Check the Required Resolution:
    • For high-quality prints, aim for 300 DPI.
  • Find the Necessary Image Dimensions:
    • Multiply the width and height of your desired print size by the resolution to get the required dimensions in pixels.
    • Example: For a 10 x 8 inch print at 300 DPI:
      (10 times 300 = 3000) pixels (width) and (8 times 300 = 2400) pixels (height).

Use the form below to easily calculate your print dimensions and see how resizing affects your DPI. Just enter your desired dimensions, and we’ll show you the new DPI based on your original image size. This will help you ensure that your prints come out looking sharp and professional. Happy printing!

File Inspection

Please fill out the form below if you would like our team to review your file before placing an order. We will check the file resolution, confirm if it’s vector or raster, and ensure it’s suitable for the product and size you want to order.

Please include the approximate print dimensions you intend to order for your items.

  • Please include notes about the file(s) you are uploading and the product types you plan to order. If possible, provide the dimensions (width in inches x height in inches) to help us with your inquiry.
  • Drop files here or
    Accepted file types: ai, pdf, eps, psd, jpg, jpeg, png, gif, tif, tiff, Max. file size: 128 MB, Max. files: 10.
    • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

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