When it comes to large-format printing on banners, signs, window graphics, and more, image resolution plays such a key role in the final result. Too low, and you’ll end up with blurry, pixelated prints. Too high, and you may be working with files that are unnecessarily large and slow to process. Striking the right balance is key to getting a sharp, professional look that stands out.
At SpeedPro Imaging Burloak, we’ve helped hundreds of businesses create beautiful, large-scale prints. In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know to get your image files ready for printing, from DPI (dots per inch) to file formats.
Why 300 Dots Per Inch (DPI) Is Considered The Gold Standard
For most print projects, 300 DPI (dots per inch) is considered the best resolution. It offers a high level of detail and sharpness that translates beautifully to paper, vinyl, and other print materials, particularly when your graphic will be viewed up close.
That said, not all large-scale prints need 300 DPI. If your banner will be viewed from several feet away (like on a building or across a trade show floor), you can get away with a lower resolution, such as 150 DPI, without sacrificing perceived quality. The farther away your audience is, the less detail the eye needs to see for the image to appear crisp.
So while 300 DPI is the recommended minimum resolution for close-range prints, there’s flexibility depending on your specific project and viewing distance. Contact a professional team to get advice on which guidelines to follow for your bespoke design.
High Resolution = High Impact (Especially Up Close)
When clients come to us with promotional posters, retail signs, or point-of-purchase displays, image quality is everything. Why? Simple: Customers are standing right in front of them. It’s the opportune time to get their attention on your brand.
Using high-resolution images helps maintain image quality across various print sizes. A low-resolution image might look fine on your computer screen, but once it’s blown up to 6 feet wide, those imperfections become impossible to ignore.
Our team of experts at SpeedPro Burloak can help you assess whether your current files are suitable for enlargement. If they’re not, we can recommend strategies like using vector images, sourcing higher-resolution versions, or redesigning graphics from scratch.
How To Check The Resolution Of Your Image File
Before sending your image off to print, it’s important to check that it has enough resolution to support the desired print size. Here’s how to determine that:
- Open the file in a design program like Adobe Photoshop or Adobe Illustrator.
- Check the pixel dimensions. You’ll want to divide the number of pixels by the intended print size in inches.
- Multiply the number of pixels per inch (PPI) by the width and height of your printed piece.
For example, if your digital image size is 3000 x 2400 pixels and you want to print it at 10″ x 8″, that’s 300 PPI—perfect! But if you’re trying to stretch that same image across a 6-foot banner, you’re down to about 50 PPI. That’s going to result in some serious loss of quality. When in doubt, always start with the original image at the highest resolution possible, or ask an expert for help.
Bonus Tip: Use Lossless File Formats For The Best Image Quality
One easy way to maintain image quality is to save your files in lossless formats like PNG, TIFF, or PDF. Unlike JPEGs, which compress image data and reduce file size (sometimes at the expense of clarity), lossless formats preserve every pixel of detail.
This is especially important when working with detailed graphics, logos, or any print images that will be printed in a large format. It’s also best to avoid resaving images multiple times in lossy formats, which can slowly degrade quality.
If you’re unsure which format is best for your project, our team at SpeedPro Burloak is happy to help you select and prepare the right image file for your chosen printing method.
Let SpeedPro Burloak Set You Up For Success
Not sure if your file is print-ready? We’ve got you covered.
At SpeedPro Imaging Burloak, our team brings years of experience in both design and production. From retail signage to banner printing in Burlington and Oakville, we help businesses of all sizes get the sharp, vibrant, large-scale prints they need. It all starts with the right file setup and a team that knows what to do with it.
Contact SpeedPro Burloak today to get expert advice on resolution, file formats, and everything in between. We’ll make sure your next print project looks as professional as you are.
