Why Quality Images Matter for Printing
Have you ever supplied an image that looked perfectly fine on your computer or mobile phone, only to find that it appeared blurry or pixelated when printed? This is one of the most common issues we encounter in the printing industry.
The quality of your printed product is only ever as good as the quality of the images used within it. Whether you are creating business cards, leaflets, brochures, banners, posters, or exhibition graphics, supplying high-quality images is essential for achieving professional results.
Why Images Look Different in Print
Digital screens display images using light, whereas printers reproduce images using ink or toner on paper or other materials. Because of this, an image that appears acceptable on a screen may not contain enough detail to produce a sharp, clear print.
Computer screens and mobile devices often make low-resolution images appear better than they really are. Once printed, any lack of detail becomes much more noticeable.
Understanding Image Resolution
Image quality is measured by resolution, which is commonly expressed as DPI (Dots Per Inch).
For professional printing, images should ideally be supplied at a minimum of:
• 300 DPI at the final printed size
For example, an image intended to fill an A4 page should have significantly more pixels than an image intended for a business card.
Simply increasing the size of a small image does not improve its quality. Enlarging an image spreads the existing pixels over a larger area, resulting in a blurry or pixelated appearance.
UK Paper Sizes with Professional DPI Requirements
For professional printing, all images should be supplied at a minimum of 300 DPI at final printed size.
ISO A Series Sizes
| Paper Size | Dimensions (mm) | Pixels @ 300 DPI |
|---|---|---|
| A0 | 841 × 1189 | 9,933 × 14,043 |
| A1 | 594 × 841 | 7,016 × 9,933 |
| A2 | 420 × 594 | 4,961 × 7,016 |
| A3 | 297 × 420 | 3,508 × 4,961 |
| A4 | 210 × 297 | 2,480 × 3,508 |
| A5 | 148 × 210 | 1,748 × 2,480 |
| A6 | 105 × 148 | 1,240 × 1,748 |
Other Common UK Sizes
| Size | Dimensions (mm) | Pixels @ 300 DPI |
|---|---|---|
| B4 | 250 × 353 | 2,953 × 4,173 |
| B5 | 176 × 250 | 2,087 × 2,953 |
| Tabloid | 279 × 432 | 3,307 × 5,118 |
| Business Card | 85 × 55 | 1,004 × 650 |
| Postcard | 152 × 102 | 1,799 × 1,205 |
Common Causes of Poor Print Quality
Images Downloaded from Websites
Images taken from websites are usually optimised for fast loading rather than printing. Although they may look acceptable online, they often lack the resolution required for professional print.
Social Media Images
Photos downloaded from Facebook, Instagram, X, LinkedIn, and other social media platforms are compressed to reduce file sizes. This compression can significantly reduce image quality.
Screenshots
Screenshots are designed for viewing on a screen and are rarely suitable for printing at larger sizes.
Small Images Enlarged
A small image stretched to fit a larger area will almost always lose clarity and sharpness.
What About Logos?
Many logos are supplied as JPG or PNG files. Whilst these formats are suitable for websites, they are not always ideal for printing.
Where possible, logos should be supplied as vector artwork. Vector files can be scaled to any size without losing quality, ensuring sharp, professional results whether they appear on a business card or a large exhibition banner.
Common vector file formats include:
• PDF
• EPS
• AI
• Affinity Designer files
How to Check If Your Image Is Suitable
Before submitting your artwork, ask yourself the following questions:
- Does the image remain sharp when viewed at full size?
- Is it an original photograph rather than a screenshot?
- Was it supplied by a professional photographer or downloaded from a high-resolution source?
- Has it been saved at a high quality setting?
- Will it be printed at roughly the same size as the original image?
If you answer “no” to any of these questions, the image may not produce the best printing results.
Our Recommendation
For the best possible print quality, always supply the highest-resolution version of your image available. Original camera photographs, professionally supplied images, and vector artwork will generally produce the best results.
If you are unsure whether your images are suitable for printing, please send them to us before placing your order. We will be happy to advise you and help avoid any disappointment.
Need Advice?
At TLC Online, we want your printed materials to look their absolute best. If you have any questions about image quality, artwork preparation, or file formats, please get in touch.
Telephone: 023 8024 3044 or 023 8024 3432
Email: webteam@tlc-online.co.uk
We are always happy to help ensure your artwork is ready for professional printing.
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