Print quality guide

A bad image in your design is the most common reason prints look amateur. Before you place a print order, run through this checklist.

1. Check effective DPI at print size

The DPI of an image depends on the size you print it at. A 1200 x 800 pixel image at 4 x 6 inches is 300 DPI. The same image at 12 x 18 inches is only 50 DPI.

To check:

• (Image width in pixels / print width in inches) = effective DPI
• Need 150+ DPI for large prints, 250+ DPI for small prints

In Print Studio, the properties panel shows the effective DPI for each image at its current size.

2. Check the file format

For print, use:

• TIFF — highest quality, large files
• PNG — lossless, supports transparency
• PDF — vector + raster, smallest for complex designs
• JPG — acceptable if saved at high quality (90%+)

Avoid: WebP (limited print support), GIF (256 colours, print-unfriendly), low-quality JPGs.

3. Check the colour mode

Photos in RGB are usually fine — the printer will convert to CMYK. Logos and graphics should ideally be in CMYK or designed in print-safe colours.

4. Look for compression artifacts

If the image was saved as a low-quality JPG, you will see:

• Blocky areas around high-contrast edges
• Ringing around text
• Posterization in smooth gradients
• Noise in solid-colour areas

If you see any of these, request or source a higher-quality version of the image.

5. Check dimensions and aspect ratio

The image's aspect ratio should match where you want to place it. Stretching a 4:3 image to a 16:9 frame will distort it. Either find the right aspect ratio, or crop the image to match.

6. Open the export preview

Print Studio's export preview shows the print-ready result at 100% zoom. Look for:

• Sharp text and edges
• Correct colours
• No pixelation
• Correct alignment

If something looks wrong in the preview, it will look the same in print.

FAQ

What if my only source image is low-DPI?

Reduce the print size so the low-DPI image covers fewer inches. A 1200x800 image at 3x4 inches is acceptable; at 12x16 inches it is not.

Can Print Studio fix a low-DPI image?

No. No software can add detail that was not captured. The fix is to source a better image.

Is a screenshot good enough for print?

Usually not. Screenshots are typically 72-144 DPI. They are fine for screen, rarely fine for print.