Advanced Print Quality With DPI Checker

Quality Checker
Printing Guide
FAQ

or drag and drop your design here

Quality Analysis Report

Image Dimensions ā“˜The actual pixel dimensions of your uploaded image
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Resolution (DPI) ā“˜Dots per inch - higher values mean better print quality
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Color Mode ā“˜CMYK is preferred for professional printing
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File Size ā“˜Larger files generally mean better quality but longer upload times
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Overall Status -

Platform Requirements

Product Min Size (Pixels) Recommended DPI Color Mode File Format

Print Quality Guide

Understanding DPI (Dots Per Inch)

DPI refers to the number of dots a printer can place within one inch. Higher DPI means better print quality:

  • 72 DPI: Minimum for web, not suitable for printing
  • 150 DPI: Acceptable for large format prints viewed from a distance
  • 300 DPI: Standard for high-quality printing
  • 600+ DPI: Professional photo printing

Color Modes

RGB (Red, Green, Blue)

Used for digital displays. When printed, colors may appear differently than on screen.

CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black)

Used for professional printing. Better for accurate color reproduction on physical products.

File Formats

Format Best For Notes
PNG Graphics with transparency Lossless compression, larger file sizes
JPEG Photographs Lossy compression, smaller files but quality loss
TIFF Professional printing Lossless, very large files, supports layers
PDF Vector graphics Scalable without quality loss

Bleed and Safe Zones

For products like posters or apparel, include:

  • Bleed: Extra 0.125-0.25 inches around edges that will be trimmed
  • Safe Zone: Keep important content 0.5 inches from edges

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my design look blurry when printed?

This is usually caused by insufficient resolution (DPI). Check that your image has at least 300 DPI at the printed size. Also ensure you're not scaling up a small image, which will reduce quality.

My colors look different when printed. Why?

Screens use RGB color while printers use CMYK. Some bright RGB colors can't be reproduced exactly in CMYK. For best results, design in CMYK mode and do test prints.

What's the best file format for printing?

For photos: high-quality JPEG or TIFF. For graphics with text: PNG or PDF. Always avoid compressing your files too much as this reduces quality.

How can I check my DPI before uploading?

Use this tool! Alternatively, in Photoshop go to Image > Image Size. Make sure "Resample" is unchecked to see the true resolution at different print sizes.

What size should I make my design?

Check the requirements for your specific product on the POD platform. As a general rule, create your design at least 25% larger than the final print size at 300 DPI.