When people hear “resolution,” they usually think higher is always better. In printing, that’s only partly true. What really matters is how big the artwork will be printed and what type of image it is.
Resolution is measured in DPI (dots per inch). The more dots packed into an inch, the sharper the image will look when printed. But DPI only matters at the final print size, not on your screen.
The general rule
For most professional printing:
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300 DPI at final size is the gold standard
This produces sharp text, clean edges, and detailed images.
If your artwork is designed smaller and then enlarged, the effective DPI drops—and that’s when prints start to look soft or pixelated.
Different projects need different resolutions
Not every print job needs the same level of detail. Here’s how we typically break it down at Exton Graphix.
Logos, text, and simple graphics
These should ideally be vector files, which don’t rely on resolution at all. Vector artwork will always print cleanly, no matter the size.
Stickers, labels, flyers, apparel prints
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Aim for 300 DPI at the final print size
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PNG or JPG can work if they’re high quality and not being enlarged
Posters, banners, yard signs
These are usually viewed from farther away, so they don’t need the same resolution as small prints.
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150 DPI is often fine
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Even 100 DPI can work for large-format graphics seen at a distance
If you design a banner at billboard-level resolution, you’re just creating massive files without improving print quality.
Screenshots are where people get tripped up
Screenshots are usually 72–96 DPI, which is fine for screens but not for printing. Cropping a screenshot doesn’t increase its resolution—it actually makes things worse if it has to be scaled up later.
If you’re using screenshots:
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Keep them close to the final print size
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Avoid enlarging them
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Use them mainly for instructional or reference graphics, not large-format prints
A quick way to check your file
Ask yourself:
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How big will this be printed?
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What are the pixel dimensions of my file?
For example:
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A file that’s 3000 × 2400 pixels
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Can print cleanly at 10" × 8" (300 DPI)
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But only 150 DPI at 20" × 16"
Same file, different result.
High resolution won’t fix a bad file
One important misconception:
You can’t add real detail by increasing DPI after the fact.
Upscaling a low-resolution image might make the file bigger, but it won’t magically sharpen text or edges. That’s why starting with the right file—or a vector version—is so important.
When you’re not sure
If you’re unsure whether your file is high enough resolution:
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Don’t guess
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Don’t re-export it ten times
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Just send it over
At Exton Graphix in Exton, PA, we check resolution before printing and will let you know if something won’t produce clean results. Our goal is to catch issues early so you get a print you’re happy with the first time.
Starting with the right resolution saves time, avoids reprints, and keeps your project looking professional.
