| When you start a new image in a graphics program, you are asked to choose a resolution for your image. The resolution is the number of pixels (colored dots) that make up one inch. The number of pixels per inch (ppi) that you will use depends on the type of project you are working on. Basically images on the web are viewed at a resolution of 72. This seems easy enough. However it is a little different when you are creating images that you will print. Opinions vary, but most people agree that a good resolution for print images is 150 to 300 ppi. So how does this higher resolution effect the image?
Take a look at the example. These two images look the same on your computer screen. Both of these images have the same width (360 pixels) and height (288 pixels). But the image on the left has a resolution of 72 ppi and the image on the right has a resolution of 300 ppi. Although they appear to be identical they will look very different when you print them. The image on the left will be 5 inches wide and 4 inches high when printed. The image on the right will only be 1.2 inches wide and .96 inches high when printed. Why? Because of their different resolutions. Think of the pixels in each image as small marbles. We already know that both images are 360 pixels wide. Now imagine 360 marbles lined up in a row. This represents the width of an image. The image on the left has a resolution of 72 pixels per inch or 72 marbles per inch. When you print the image on the left, it will be 5 inches wide because 360 ÷ 72 = 5. And it will be 4 inches high because 288 ÷ 72 = 4. The image on the right has a resolution of 300 pixels per inch or 300 marbles per inch. When you print this image, it will be 1.2 inches wide because 360 ÷ 300 = 1.2. And it will be .96 inches high because 288 ÷ 300 = .96. As you can see the resolution that you use will determine the print size of your image. AdobeR product screen shot(s) reprinted with permission from Adobe Systems Incorporated. AdobeR, PhotoshopR and PhotoshopR AlbumTM are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Adobe Systems Incorporated in the United States and/or other countries. | ||
