DPI means dots per inch and PPI means pixels per inch. People use the two almost interchangeably to describe how much detail an image holds at a given printed size. The key idea is that resolution depends on size: a photo that is 1,200 pixels wide is 300 PPI at 4 inches across, but only 100 PPI at 12 inches.
Screens look fine at low resolution, so an image that seems sharp on a website can print blurry or jagged. For most printed pieces, about 300 PPI at the finished size is the usual target; large signs viewed from a distance can use less.
Picture a pet groomer called Wag & Willow who grabs a team photo from social media for a 24 x 36 poster. At that size it lands well under 100 PPI and prints soft. A higher-resolution original, or an upscale made for print, fixes it.
In aiKit, Printer's Helper and Print file check on upload report low resolution instead of hiding it. Magic Canvas print sizes start at 300 dpi, and Photo Studio can upscale a picture 4x for print, with 6x and 8x for big prints on paid plans.
Related terms
See it in practice
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