Client usually send us 100K JPEG picture/image for printing or ask us to “simply take it from internet” We need to explain to our clients that the image won’t work because the picture or image resolution is too low and for printing the layouts requires 300 dpi.
Resolution refers to the number of pixels/dots in an image. Resolution is sometimes identified by the width and height of the image as well as the total number of pixels/dots in the image.
DPI: Dot’s per inch. The number of dots in a printed inch. The more dot’s the higher the quality of the print (shaper and detailed)
PPI: Pixels per inch. Most commonly used to describe the pixel density of a screen (computer monitor, smartphone, etc…) but can also refer to the pixel density of a digital image.
Web Resolution vs. Print Resolution
Since the viewing area on a PC Screen is made up of pixels of a fixed resolution – typically 72 pixels (PPI) – any picture enhanced for that resolution looks completely detailed and clear on screen.
However, if that same picture is printed at full size, its real pixel blockiness ends up being immediately visible. Another concern is that the results of image compression for smaller web image file sizes (like distortion around edges) can end up being unappealing.
Size Matters
While selecting the picture sizes available to you, it’s better to go for the biggest picture you can get. Any picture can be made small as required, yet it can’t be enlarged without losing quality. At high resolutions, the photo is sharp and clear. If the resolution is reduced or the photo is “enlarged” unreasonably, it loses detail and the blocky squares of the pixels end up noticeable. So in regards to resolution, bigger always is better.