Image Resolution Guide

Image Resolution Guide

With large format print, it is important to ensure that the resolution of your images is correct so that they result in a good print quality. Raster images, such as a Jpeg that you would take with a camera or phone is made up of Pixels (dots). Low resolution images are made up of a low number of pixels, so when the size is increaed they become pixelated / blured. It is difficult to increase the resolution of an image well, so it is important to start with the right file. Using screenshots or images saved from your website may look crisp on your phone or monitor, but when blown up to fit on an A1 poster, they will be very low quality.

We ask for raster images to be a minimum of 100dpi at full size or 400dpi at 1/4 size as this will result in a good image quality for most applications. It is possible to supply them in a higher resolution than this though. The other file type is a Vector. These are made up of lines, meaning the size can be enlarged without a loss of quality.

Swatch colours available for lectern customisation

How can I check my Artwork Resolution?

  • Photoshop - File > Open > Image > Image Size > Untick Resample > Update your dimensions to the size on the artwork > Select Pixels/Inch on the dropdown next to Resolution. This value needs to be a minimum 100 at full size, or 400 at 1/4 size.
  • Mac - Open the image in Preview > Tools > Image Inspector > Find Image DPI and resolution. To calculate the maximum size your image can be, divide the number of pixels by the DPI. i.e. a 4000 wide pixel at 100 dpi could be up to 40" wide.
  • Windows - Open File Explorer and navigate to your image > Right click > Properties > Details Tab > Image Dimensions & DPI Resolution.

What can I do if my artwork resolution is too low?

  • If you had a professional designer create your artwork, then the easiest way is to contact them, and ask for a higher resolution file.

  • If your image was downloaded from an online image bank, then check if it can be downloaded as a higher resolution. If not it is easy to source another similar image.

  • Depending on the type & quality of the original file, Discount Displays may be able to create a vector file for you. Check out our vectorising service for more information. This works best for simple logos and is not suitable for complex images.

Where can I find better images?

There are a range of useful websites for sourcing images that are suitable for large format print, and tools to help you improve your artwork. Checkout our useful links below.

  • Unsplash - Free Image Bank (Good for Photography & Backgrounds)
  • Pixabay - Free Image Bank (Good for Icons and Images)
  • Shutterstock - Paid image bank (Huge Range of Images Available)
  • Vecteezy - Free & Paid Vectors (Great for Icons and Vectors)

We hope that this short article has helped you understand artwork resolution a little better.
If you have any questions, or would like a free artwork consultation, please feel free to call us on 020 8664 5660.