Image resolution is a way to express how detailed a graphic is. How you want to use the image will determine what resolution it should be.

When working with clipart, you need to first decide if it will be used for print or the Internet. Sometimes you will want one image for both purposes. For example if you have a website where people can download your clipart for print reasons, you would probably have a thumbnail on your web page to illustrate the download.

Your clipart for print will need a higher resolution than that of the thumbnail for your web page. Why is this?

In order to display an image correctly it is important to know that the computer monitor shows the image at 72 ppi (pixels per inch) and a good print image will come out at anywhere from 150 dpi (dots per inch) to 1400+ dpi.

300 dpi is considered a professional print resolution and can be achieved by most home printers. Most people use this resolution.

600 dpi – 1400+ dpi is considered a commercial print resolution and is achieved by high-end machinery in print boutiques.

If, as in the first paragraph, you want an image for both print and web purposes, a way to save yourself some time would be to create and save your image for print. Re-save and rename the file after changing its size and resolution for web.

For general home purposes and consideration of environmental and economical reasons - printing/ink costs - a resolution of 200 dpi is perfectly reasonable and sufficient to work with. Quality loss is minimal. This resolution is perfectly acceptable for the printing of completed scrapbook pages.

If you printed a web file it is likely the print would be small and unclear. It is probable the image would appear pixilated (blurry and unfocused).

If you used print files as web graphics it would significantly slow the loading of your web pages. You could lose readers, use your bandwidth at an increased rate and waste storage space.

Remembering these two main points:
· 72 dpi for web
· 300 dpi for print (although 200 dpi will generally do for home use)
will make your clipart appear how it is meant to.