Why your art looks great on screen, but not when printed
If you’ve ever been disappointed when a design that looked perfect on your computer came back from the printer looking blurry or pixelated, you’re not alone. Understanding image resolution is crucial for anyone creating artwork intended for print, and it’s one of the most common issues we see with client files.
What Is Image Resolution?
Image resolution refers to the amount of detail an image holds, measured in pixels per inch (PPI) or dots per inch (DPI). Think of pixels as tiny colored squares that make up your image. The more pixels packed into each inch, the sharper and more detailed your image will be.
Screen vs. Print: The Critical Difference
Your computer screen displays images at 72-96 PPI, which looks perfectly sharp on a monitor. However, professional printing requires 300 PPI for optimal quality. This means a print-ready image needs roughly three to four times more pixel information than what you see on screen.
This is why an image can look crystal clear on your laptop but turn out blurry when printed. Your screen simply doesn’t show you all the detail (or lack thereof) that will become visible in print.
Check out our logo – the same one you see at the top left of the page – when improperly enlarged:
If you’re on a phone, that image will probably look fine! Check it out on your desktop to see resolution in action. What looks good at a small size ends up looking bad at a larger size.
Why Low-Resolution Art Fails in Print
When you try to print a low-resolution image at a larger size, those pixels get stretched and enlarged, creating visible blur or a blocky, pixelated appearance. The printer can only work with the information it’s given. It can’t create detail that doesn’t exist in your file.
Imagine a small painting being projected onto a wall. The further you project it, the more the image breaks down and loses clarity. That’s essentially what happens when you print low-resolution artwork.
Understanding File Size and Dimensions
Resolution and physical size are interconnected. A 1000 x 1000 pixel image looks fine at about 3.3 x 3.3 inches when printed at 300 PPI. But if you try to print that same image at 10 x 10 inches, the resolution drops to just 100 PPI, resulting in poor print quality.
The formula is simple:
- Pixel dimensions ÷ Resolution (PPI) = Print size in inches
- For example: 3000 pixels ÷ 300 PPI = 10 inches
Checking Your Images in Canva
If you’re using Canva to create designs for print, there’s a quick quality check you should always perform before sending your files to print. Canva recommends zooming in at 200% on your design to check image quality. If the images look blurry or pixelated at this zoom level, they most likely won’t print well.
This simple test helps you catch resolution issues before it’s too late. While Canva is an excellent tool for creating designs, it’s important to ensure any images you upload or use are high-resolution from the start. Canva can’t improve the quality of a low-resolution image you bring into the platform.
Click here to read more from Canva about preparing your order for print.
Tips for Canva Users:
- Always use the highest quality images available
- Check the recommended dimensions for your print project before starting
- Download your final design in the highest quality format available (PDF Print is usually best)
- Perform the 200% zoom test before finalizing your order
Best Practices for Print-Ready Art
Start with high-resolution sources: If you’re using photographs or graphics, make sure they’re at least 300 PPI at the size you intend to print them.
Don’t upscale low-resolution images: Increasing the PPI of a small image in editing software doesn’t add real detail. The software is just guessing what should fill the gaps, and the results rarely look professional.
Use vector graphics when possible: Logos, text, and graphic elements should be created as vectors (in formats like AI, EPS, or SVG) whenever possible. Vector graphics are resolution-independent and can be scaled to any size without losing quality.
Save in the right format: For final print files, use formats that preserve quality like PDF, TIFF, or high-quality JPEG. Avoid heavily compressed JPEGs or web-optimized images.
Communicating with Your Print Provider
When you’re working with a print shop, providing high-resolution files from the start saves everyone time and frustration. If you’re unsure whether your files meet requirements, ask before placing your order. Most professional printers are happy to review your files and let you know if there will be any quality issues.
In fact, if you’re reading this blog, you may have been sent here by your Corwin representative because your artwork was flagged as poor quality. While we’d love to just print your job and call it a day, if we print low-resolution artwork, you’re probably going to be disappointed with the results, and we’re going to have an uncomfortable conversation about why.
We flag quality issues because we care about the final product. You’re investing money in printing, and we want you to be thrilled when you open that box. A blurry, pixelated print doesn’t represent your brand well, and it doesn’t reflect well on us either.
If your file has been flagged, you have a few options: source a higher-resolution version of your images, recreate graphics as vectors, work with your original designer to provide print-ready files, or our design team may be able to help. Our goal isn’t to generate design work, it’s to deliver printed materials you’ll be proud to use.
The Bottom Line
Creating beautiful printed artwork starts with understanding resolution. Those extra pixels matter, even if you can’t see them on your screen. By starting with high-resolution images, checking your work carefully, and following print-ready best practices, you’ll ensure your printed pieces look just as stunning as they do on screen.
Your designs deserve to look their best, whether they’re viewed on a phone screen or displayed as a large-format poster. Taking the time to get resolution right is an investment in the quality and professionalism of your final product.