DPI for Fabric Printing
Understanding DPI (dots per inch) is essential for textile printing. This guide covers the right resolution for different print methods and how to calculate file sizes.
What is DPI?
DPI (Dots Per Inch) measures how many dots of ink are placed within one inch when printing. Higher DPI means more dots and potentially more detail, but fabric printing has practical limits.
Pixels = DPI × Inches
Example: 10-inch design at 150 DPI = 1500 pixels
DPI by Print Method
Digital Inkjet
150-200 DPIHigher than 200 DPI rarely improves quality but increases file size significantly.
Dye Sublimation
150-200 DPIThe sublimation process softens details slightly, so ultra-high DPI isn't necessary.
Screen Printing
200-300 DPIHigher resolution needed for accurate halftone generation and fine details.
Rotary Printing
150-200 DPISimilar to digital, the printing process limits effective resolution.
Large Format
100-150 DPIViewed from distance, lower DPI is acceptable and keeps files manageable.
File Size Examples
| Scenario | Pixels | Approx Size |
|---|---|---|
| 10-inch repeat at 150 DPI | 1500 × 1500 px | ~6 MB (TIFF) |
| 10-inch repeat at 300 DPI | 3000 × 3000 px | ~25 MB (TIFF) |
| 20-inch repeat at 150 DPI | 3000 × 3000 px | ~25 MB (TIFF) |
| 20-inch repeat at 300 DPI | 6000 × 6000 px | ~100 MB (TIFF) |
Common Myths
Related Resources
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