As we all know, New Years is a time for idealistic visions and resolutions. And as a small business, Harmonic Media has plenty of things we are aiming to achieve in the coming year. Hint: It has nothing to do with getting a bikini-ready body. From maintaining a positive workplace culture to doing more amazing work for amazing clients, we have high hopes for 2022. Additionally, as a business that takes great pride in providing professional custom graphic solutions, we value a different kind of resolution — that of a graphic element or image.
There are many common mistakes and misconceptions surrounding the topic of print resolution. Luckily, we are here to clear up some of that confusion to ensure anything you print from here on out looks freakin’ awesome! But first, let’s take a moment to answer an important question…
What Is Print Resolution?
Simply put, print resolution is the level of detail in a printed image. Higher resolution means higher detail and is typically measured in Dots Per Inch (DPI). When it comes to printing, resolution plays an extremely important role. It can be the difference between a stunning, jaw-dropping image and a “what the heck is that” fuzzy blur.
The following numbers are important to note: The golden resolution to aim for in large format digital printing is 150 DPI. However, this number is not set in stone. It will vary based upon the viewing distance and final application. For this reason, it is important to clarify the recommended DPI and file size with the printing company before beginning the production process.
There are a few rules you’ll want to keep in mind when you’re creating your source image i.e. the image you want to be printed.
1. Always search for the highest resolution and image dimensions you can get.
2. You can scale down in size, but avoid scaling up as you’ll lose quality.
3. Different resolutions are needed depending on how large the printed image will be, and where it will be viewed from.
Get The Best View Possible
When trying to determine the optimum print resolution for your particular graphics project, the beloved Bette Midler song, from a distance, comes to mind. Viewing distance must be taken into consideration if you want to ensure the final product is not grainy or overly pixelated. Although the printing method and material used will also have an impact on the quality of your image, viewing distance is the most significant variable in the print resolution equation.
We know what you’re thinking…an example would be helpful. Well, here ya go! Something like a flier or brochure that will be held in someone’s hand and viewed closely will need a significantly higher DPI than an image that will be used for a billboard, which will only be seen from far away. The main takeaway here is that sometimes you can get away with less detail. Just be sure you know the right scenarios for pulling off that print resolution stunt.
Preparation Is Key In The World of Custom Printing
At Harmonic, we are committed to getting our customers the best possible results regarding the final product and the increased demand it brings to your business. For that very reason, we’ve created this super helpful checklist to make sure you properly prepare your files before sending them over to be printed. Feel free to download. Print. And share.
The Proper Tools To Get The Perfect Custom Print
Spoiler Alert: If you haven’t already heard, Harmonic Media is moving to a new and improved location! More details to come once we’ve unpacked all our boxes. Although organizing all of our stuff isn’t the most fun, getting a bunch of shiny, new, and impressive equipment brings a big smile to our faces.
The Colex SX 1732 will be our new CNC cutter. This static bed cutter has the ability to hold a 5x10 sheet and its 3 horsepower router head makes it possible to cut materials up to 1” thick!
We are also getting the Ricoh 6250, a new flatbed printer. This machine will have a 4 color, white, and spot-clear addition. It has the ability to print up to 4” thick with a much faster speed and higher resolution.
With a new space and new equipment, we can’t wait to take on more custom printing projects for customers who deserve to get more attention. Go ahead, bring us your ideas from simple to simply insane and we will make it happen! Cheers to 2022 being a year filled with all kinds of resolutions being fulfilled in a clear and meaningful way.
Got more print-related questions? From vector formats to building images in the right programs, the answers are just a call away.