Image Resolution for Print: Complete Guide
Getting your image resolution right is the single biggest factor in whether a print looks sharp and professional or pixelated and amateurish. This guide walks you through everything you need to know.
📊 The Print-Ready Standard:
• 300 DPI – Standard for commercial printing
• 150 DPI – Large-format prints viewed from distance
• CMYK – Colour mode for print (not RGB)
• PDF/TIFF – Preferred file formats
• 3mm bleed – On all sides for full-bleed designs
• 300 DPI – Standard for commercial printing
• 150 DPI – Large-format prints viewed from distance
• CMYK – Colour mode for print (not RGB)
• PDF/TIFF – Preferred file formats
• 3mm bleed – On all sides for full-bleed designs
📐 Step-by-Step: Preparing Images for Print
1. Choose Your Final Print Size
Decide exactly how large the printed image will be. Common sizes:
- Business card: 85 × 55 mm
- Flyer (A5): 148 × 210 mm
- Brochure (A4): 210 × 297 mm
- Poster (A2): 420 × 594 mm
- Large poster (A0): 841 × 1189 mm
2. Calculate Required Pixel Dimensions
Multiply the print size (in inches) by your target DPI:
- A5 at 300 DPI: 5.83 × 8.27 in × 300 = 1748 × 2480 px
- A4 at 300 DPI: 8.27 × 11.69 in × 300 = 2480 × 3508 px
- A3 at 300 DPI: 11.69 × 16.54 in × 300 = 3508 × 4961 px
- A2 at 300 DPI: 16.54 × 23.39 in × 300 = 4961 × 7016 px
- A1 at 150 DPI: 23.39 × 33.11 in × 150 = 3508 × 4961 px
- A0 at 100 DPI: 33.11 × 46.81 in × 100 = 3311 × 4681 px
3. Set the Right Colour Mode
Use CMYK for print — not RGB. RGB is for screens, and converting from RGB to CMYK at the print house can cause unexpected colour shifts.
| Colour Mode | Best For | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
| CMYK | Professional printing | Always for commercial print jobs |
| RGB | Screens (web, TV) | Never for print — only for digital |
| Grayscale | Black-and-white printing | B&W documents and photos |
| CMYK + Spot | Brand colours (Pantone) | Logos and premium packaging |
4. Choose the Right File Format
| Format | Best For | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| All print jobs | Industry standard — preserves everything | |
| TIFF | Photographs | Lossless, large file sizes |
| PNG | Graphics with transparency | Lossless, good for logos |
| JPEG | Web only | Lossy compression — avoid for print |
| EPS/AI | Vector artwork | Perfect for logos and illustrations |
5. Add Bleed and Safe Margins
- Bleed: 3mm on all sides (so background extends past trim)
- Safe zone: Keep text 5mm from trim edges
- Trim marks: Include crop marks in your PDF
6. Check Image Quality Before Sending
- Zoom to 100% — Any pixelation visible at 100% will show in print
- Check all images — Every photo must meet the minimum DPI
- Embed fonts — Never rely on the print house having your fonts
- Flatten layers — For TIFF, flatten before export
- Proof colours — Use colour profile matching print house specs
🖼️ Minimum Resolution by Print Type
| Print Type | Minimum DPI | Ideal DPI |
|---|---|---|
| Business card | 300 | 600 |
| Flyer | 300 | 300 |
| Brochure | 300 | 300 |
| Magazine | 300 | 300 |
| A4 poster (viewed close) | 300 | 300 |
| A2 poster (viewed at 1-2m) | 150 | 150 |
| A0 poster (viewed at 2-3m) | 100 | 150 |
| Trade banner (viewed at 3-5m) | 100 | 100 |
| Billboard (viewed at 10m+) | 20 | 50 |
🚫 Common Print Resolution Mistakes
- Using web images (72 DPI) — Will print pixelated
- Upscaling low-res images — Adds no detail, just makes pixels bigger
- Using RGB — Will look dull or shifted when printed
- Forgetting bleed — Leads to unwanted white borders
- Sending JPEGs — Compression artefacts visible in print
- Text too close to edge — Gets trimmed or looks unprofessional