What DPI Should Artwork Be for Large Format Printing?
When you are moving from standard office printing to large format digital printing, the technical requirements change. One of the most common questions our studio team receives is: "What resolution does my file need to be?"
Getting your resolution right is the difference between a pin-sharp retail display and a blurry, pixelated mess. In this guide, we’ll break down the technical jargon and provide a practical guide for your next project.
Understanding the Language of Resolution
Before we dive into the numbers, let's clarify the terminology. In the print industry, we use several units of measurement to define scale and quality:
DPI (Dots Per Inch): This refers to the physical dots of ink a printer like our EFI Nozomi or HP 17000 places on a material.
PPI (Pixels Per Inch): This refers to the number of pixels within a digital image. While often used interchangeably with DPI, PPI is what you set in your design software (like Adobe Illustrator or Photoshop).
Physical Dimensions: In the UK, we work across mm, cm, and inches. Most large format projects are discussed in millimeters (e.g., an A0 poster is 841 x 1189mm), but resolution is almost always calculated in inches.
Communication is Key!
If you’re setting up artwork for print, communication is the most important part of the process. First things first: make sure you and our in-house artworking team have confirmed the scale of your design and where it’s going.
Are you designing a small shelf-talker for a close-up retail environment, or a massive outdoor hoarding that people will see from across a car park? The "where" determines the "how." By working with a strategic print partner, you can ensure your files are optimized for our specific automated pre-press workflows, saving you time and avoiding costly reprints.
The Golden Rule of Resolution
Image resolution is an essential part of all graphic design, as it determines how clear your project will be—literally and figuratively. If your graphic elements have too few PPI, you’ll end up with a boxy, unclear image that won’t impress anyone.
Just how high-res should your images be? Ideally, you’ll want to look for graphics that are 100–300 PPI. For high-contrast black and white projects, you might even aim for 600 PPI. This ensures that your images look sharp and clear at any distance, even when working with a wide-format document.
Resolution vs. Viewing Distance
One of the "secrets" of large format printing is that you don't always need 300 PPI. The further away the viewer is, the lower the resolution can be without the eye noticing any loss in quality.
Close-up (0–1 meter): Think of a high-end cosmetic counter display. You need 300 PPI for maximum detail.
Mid-range (2–5 meters): For window graphics or indoor posters, 100–150 PPI is usually perfect.
Long distance (10+ meters): For massive banners or billboards, you can often drop as low as 30–50 PPI. Because the viewer is so far away, their eye naturally blends the pixels together into a smooth image.
What We’ve Learned…
Resolution isn't just a number; it's a tool that helps you balance file size with visual impact.
PPI Matters: Aim for 100–300 PPI for most retail applications.
Scale Matters: Always design at 100% scale if your software allows, or work at a clear ratio (like 1:10) and inform your print team.
Distance Matters: The further away your audience is, the more "room" you have to lower the resolution.
By utilizing our automated artwork approval systems like Esko Webcenter, we can help catch resolution issues before they hit the press, ensuring your retail brand protection is never compromised.
We hope you learned some valuable information!
Ready to get your artwork print-ready? Whether you're struggling with file sizes or need a technical hand with large format digital printing, our team is here to help.