If you’re creating artwork for print, you’ll only get decent results if you’ve got a basic understanding of image resolution.

Don’t worry, it’s actually quite a simple concept – nowhere near as complex as some people seem to think. So stick with me here, I’m going to try to make this as painless as possible…??What is resolution?

As you probably know, when you view a photograph on your computer monitor you’re actually looking at a grid of tiny dots or ‘pixels’. Similarly, when a photograph is reproduced in print, it is made up of thousands of small dots of ink. Resolution refers to the number of these dots (or pixels) which are squeezed into a given area.

The smaller the dot, the more dots you can fit into a horizontal inch, and the sharper an image will appear to the human eye (up to a point)

If you zoom into a photograph on your PC monitor you will be able to see the grid of pixels which make up the image.

The grid of dots which make up a printed photograph can be seen using a magnifying glass

The resolution of an image is usually measured in dots per inch (dpi). Essentially dpi is simply the number of dots or pixels which make up an image.?? If you view an image on your computer monitor its resolution will need to be at least 72dpi to appear sharp and clear. A lower resolution will result in large pixels which will be detected by your eye, resulting in a fuzzy or ‘pixelated’ image. However, if the same image were reproduced on paper using a commercial printing process it would need a resolution of around 300dpi to achieve a sharp result. ??A printed image requires a much higher resolution than an on-screen image (4 times greater to be precise). Therefore, just because your image looks sharp and crisp when viewed on-screen, it doesn’t mean it will reproduce correctly when printed.

The image at the top of this article has a resolution of 72dpi. It looks sharp and crisp when viewed on screen.

If the same 72dpi image were reproduced in print using a commercial printing press, (see left) it would appear fuzzy and pixielated. The only way to improve its appearance and increase its resolution would be to reduce the size at which it is reproduced

Dean Williams

Dean Williams is a design and marketing blogger working for Print-Print Limited, promoting business and building brands through quality print marketing. If you’re interested in small business promotion then please get in touch hello@print-print.co.uk