DPI: Dots Per Inch in Print Output
Dots per inch (DPI) describes how many ink dots a printer places within one inch when reproducing an image.
DPI is a printer output concept. Designers often say “300 DPI image”, but what you usually control in files is PPI. DPI matters in printing because it affects how smoothly tones and details are reproduced on a specific device and paper.
Example
A photo placed at the correct size with 300 PPI is a common target for quality print. The press itself may print using a much higher internal DPI and halftone screening.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. DPI is printer dot output. PPI is pixel density in your image file. People mix the terms in everyday design talk.
You usually target 300 PPI at final size for photos. The printer’s DPI is handled by the print process.
No. Past a point, gains are minimal. Paper, screening, press quality, and the original image quality matter more.
Not directly. File size is driven by pixel dimensions and compression. Changing “DPI metadata” alone does not add pixels.
When exporting raster assets for print, set the correct pixel dimensions so the asset achieves the intended PPI at its placed size.
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