JUST NODU
Print resolution explained: DPI, pixels and print sizes
How many pixels you need for a sharp print, with ready numbers for common sizes.
A design that looks perfect on a phone can print blurred or blocky. The reason is almost always resolution: there are not enough pixels for the size of the paper.
DPI in one sentence
DPI (dots per inch) or PPI (pixels per inch) is how many pixels are printed along one inch of paper. The rule is simple:
pixels needed = print size in inches × DPI
So a 4 × 6 inch photo at 300 DPI needs 1200 × 1800 pixels. The DPI number written inside a file is only a label; what matters is the real pixel count compared with the print size.
How much DPI is enough?
| Viewed from | Recommended | |
|---|---|---|
| Visiting cards, invitations, brochures, photos | Hand distance | 300 DPI (up to 600 DPI for fine text and line art) |
| Posters (A3, A2) | 1–2 metres | 150–300 DPI |
| Flex banners, hoardings | Several metres | 72–150 DPI at full size |
Pixel sizes at 300 DPI
| Size | Inches | Pixels at 300 DPI |
|---|---|---|
| Visiting card | 3.5 × 2 | 1050 × 600 |
| 4 × 6 photo | 4 × 6 | 1200 × 1800 |
| A5 | 5.83 × 8.27 | 1748 × 2480 |
| A4 | 8.27 × 11.69 | 2480 × 3508 |
| A3 | 11.69 × 16.54 | 3508 × 4961 |
Five habits that prevent blurry prints
- Start at the final size. Set the page size in mm, cm or inches before designing, not after.
- Keep text and logos as vectors. Vector text from CDR, AI and PDF files stays sharp at any size; only photos have a fixed resolution.
- Do not upscale small images and hope. Stretching a 500-pixel image to A4 just makes bigger blurry pixels.
- Add 3 mm bleed when colours or photos run to the edge of the page.
- Export PDF for print. It keeps vectors as vectors and photos at full resolution.
When you export from JUST NODU you can choose the print resolution (300 to 600 DPI) and set the page size in mm, cm, inches, feet or pixels, in portrait or landscape.
Open a file on JUST NODU