Print quality guide
150 vs 300 DPI for printing
The right resolution depends on how closely the print will be viewed and how much detail the source image contains.
Pixel requirements
An 8 × 10 inch print needs 2,400 × 3,000 pixels at 300 DPI, or 1,200 × 1,500 pixels at 150 DPI. The 300-DPI version uses four times as many total pixels.
When 150 DPI can work
Posters, signs and wall displays are often viewed from several feet away. At that distance, a lower pixel density can still look sharp.
- Large-format posters
- Temporary signage
- Images with strong shapes and little fine text
When 300 DPI is safer
Photo books, portfolios, small art prints and printed text are commonly inspected at arm's length. For these, 300 DPI is a useful default when the source file supports it.