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Graphic Design vocabulary · Image Formats & Resolution

DPI

Meaning in graphic design, with examples

/ˌdiː piː ˈaɪ/abbreviationCore term

In graphic design, DPI means: Dots per inch: a measure of print resolution showing how many dots of ink fit into one inch. About 300 dpi at final size is the usual standard for sharp printed images.

In Turkish: DPI, inç başına nokta

How it is used

Used with printers and when checking images. People ask for ‘300 dpi images’ and say a photo is ‘only 72 dpi’. In everyday studio talk DPI is often used where PPI would be more exact.

Example sentences

  1. The printer asked for all images at 300 dpi at their final size.

  2. This logo is a 72 dpi screenshot; it will look terrible on the roll-up banner.

Common collocations

  • 300 dpi
  • high dpi
  • low dpi
  • dpi setting
  • resolutionThe amount of detail in a digital image, shown by how many pixels it has or how many pixels or dots fit into one inch. Print usually needs about 300 dpi at final size.
  • pixelThe smallest single point of colour in a digital image or on a screen. Raster images are made of thousands or millions of pixels arranged in a grid.
  • pixelatedDescribes an image that shows visible square pixels and jagged edges, usually because a low-resolution file has been enlarged too much.
  • print-readyDescribes a final file that meets the printer's requirements and can go straight to press, with correct size, bleed, colour mode, image resolution and fonts.

This word in other fields

The same English word can have a different meaning in another field:

More terms: Image Formats & Resolution

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