3 things to know about DPI

When evaluating print quality, we use the term DPI, which stands for “Dots Per Inch” and is used to measure image resolution. Those who are unfamiliar with professional quality color label printers may be confused about what this acronym really entails, and what it means in the context of a specific printer’s capability. In some cases, the DPI number may be one of the deciding factors that convinces you to purchase a particular printer, so it’s useful to know some of the key facts about this term, no matter which label types you need to print.

Here are three important points to remember the next time you read one of our printer descriptions and need help understanding why DPI matters:

• It only applies to printed media: While the term PPI (Pixels Per Inch) is used for screen image resolution, DPI is solely used for printed areas because it corresponds to the distribution of dots over physical space. As Mike Lee writes in an article for Focus97, the number of DPI controls how large the dots are. The fewer dots an image contains per inch, the larger the image will be. A billboard image can be as low as 10 DPI.
• Size of dots does not equal size of print: At the same time, producing an image with larger dots doesn’t mean the image itself will be larger. James Carey mentioned this point in a National Park Service document from 2008 that focused on image resolution. “A printer set at a higher DPI usually produces a better tonal quality of picture, with more dots within inch,” he wrote. “However, a higher DPI does not affect the actual size of the print.”
• Use label software for an appropriate size: Translating an image originally designed for the web to a physical mode is tricky because of the difference in PPI and DPI. One way to make sure your images match the format is to use label printing software geared to the right standard.

You can find out more information about our printers, including their DPI, by contacting us through our site.