Resolution: aim for 300 ppi at final size
Images are made of pixels. For sharp print, photos need about 300 pixels per inch (ppi, often called dpi) at the size they will print. Enlarging an image in your layout lowers its effective resolution: a 1200 x 1800 pixel photo is 300 ppi at 4 x 6 but only 150 ppi at 8 x 12. Changing the ppi number in an editor without adding real pixels doesn't improve quality, and web images (often 72 ppi and small) usually print blurry.
| Content | Recommended resolution |
|---|---|
| Photos, flyers, brochures, cards | 300 ppi at final size |
| Posters viewed from a few feet | 150–200 ppi |
| Banners and signs viewed from a distance | 100–150 ppi at full size |
| Line art and scanned text (1-bit) | 600–1200 ppi |
| Logos | Vector (AI, EPS, SVG or PDF) whenever possible |
Export a print-ready PDF
- Set the page to the finished size with 0.125" bleed (see bleed guide).
- Export as PDF/X-1a or PDF/X-4 (InDesign/Illustrator "High Quality Print" presets are a good start).
- Turn on bleed and crop marks, with marks offset at least 0.125" so they sit outside the bleed.
- Keep images at full resolution (no downsampling below 300 ppi).
- Send one PDF with all pages in order, at 100% size.
Fonts: embed or outline
If the printer doesn't have your font, text can reflow or swap to a default. Prevent this by embedding fonts in the PDF (PDF/X does this automatically) or, in Illustrator, converting text to outlines (Type > Create Outlines) on a copy of the file. Outlined text can't be edited, so keep your original. If you send native files (InDesign, Illustrator), package them with fonts and linked images.
Final checklist
- Correct finished size and page count
- Bleed on all edges where artwork touches the edge
- Text inside the safe zone
- Images 300 ppi at final size, CMYK
- Fonts embedded or outlined
- Small black text set to 100% K
- Proofread one more time
Frequently asked questions
- Can I send a Word or Canva file?
- Yes. Canva users should download "PDF Print" with crop marks and bleed. For Word, save as PDF with fonts embedded. Our prepress team checks every file and sends a proof.
- What's the difference between DPI and PPI?
- PPI describes pixels in a digital image; DPI describes ink dots on a printer. People use them interchangeably, and for files you send, 300 is the number to remember.
Related services
Helpful customer tools
- PreFlight Checker (available to customers with a free account)
- Bleed Tool (available to customers with a free account)
- QR Code Generator (available to customers with a free account)
Already a customer? Log in to use them.