Understanding Resolution Settings in PrintTiler
This guide is for users who want to understand how PrintTiler's resolution and quality settings affect final print output. Print resolution determines how sharp and detailed your printed poster will look. Learn how to choose the right DPI settings in PrintTiler to get the best print quality for your large-format prints.
In This Guide
What is DPI?
DPI stands for Dots Per Inch. It measures how many dots of ink your printer places within one inch of paper. Higher DPI means more dots, which results in sharper, more detailed prints.
Quick Reference
- 72 DPI — Screen resolution, too low for printing
- 150 DPI — Acceptable for large posters viewed from a distance
- 300 DPI — Professional quality, sharp at arm's length
The key insight is that viewing distance matters. A billboard viewed from 50 meters away can look great at 20 DPI, while a photo held in your hands needs 300 DPI to look sharp. For most home-printed posters, 150-300 DPI is the sweet spot.
The Four Quality Options
PrintTiler's Quality section offers four resolution presets. Each option sets a target DPI for your print output.
Original
Uses your image's native DPI
Preserves your image exactly as it was created. Best when your image was designed at a specific print resolution (e.g., a 300 DPI design file).
Use when: Your image has embedded DPI metadata you want to preserve.
Standard
150 DPI
Good quality for posters, maps, and images that will be viewed from a few feet away. Produces smaller file sizes and faster printing.
Use when: Printing large posters (A2 or bigger) for wall display.
High (Default)
300 DPI
Professional print quality. Sharp and detailed at arm's length viewing distance. This is the industry standard for high-quality prints.
Use when: You want the best possible quality and have a high-resolution source image.
Custom
Any value you specify
Enter any DPI value for complete control. Useful for specific requirements or when matching existing print specifications.
Use when: You have specific DPI requirements or want fine-tuned control.
DPI Quality Ratings
PrintTiler displays a quality rating next to each resolution option to help you understand what to expect from your print:
Understanding Estimated DPI
Below the preview area, PrintTiler shows the Estimated DPI — the actual resolution your print will achieve based on your current settings.
Why Estimated DPI May Differ from Target DPI
Your target DPI (what you set in Quality) and estimated DPI (what you'll actually get) can differ because PrintTiler never upscales your image.
If you set 300 DPI but your image doesn't have enough pixels to achieve that resolution at your chosen size, PrintTiler will show a lower estimated DPI. This is intentional — upscaling would just make your image blurry without adding real detail.
Example: You have a 1000×1000 pixel image and want to print it on 2×2 A4 pages (about 16×12 inches). The math:
- 1000 pixels ÷ 16 inches = 62.5 DPI
- Even if you set 300 DPI target, estimated DPI will show ~62 DPI (Blurry)
- To get 300 DPI at this size, you'd need a 4800×3600 pixel image
How Fit Modes Affect Resolution
The relationship between fit mode and resolution is important to understand:
No Scale
Your image prints at its native size based on the selected DPI. The number of pages depends on how large the image is at that DPI.
Resolution behavior: Uses your target DPI directly. Image may span many pages or few pages depending on its pixel dimensions.
Fit Width / Fit Height
Your image is scaled to fit exactly one page in the chosen dimension. PrintTiler calculates the effective DPI based on your image's pixels divided by the print size.
Resolution behavior: DPI is limited by your image's resolution. If achieving your target DPI would require upscaling, PrintTiler uses the maximum DPI possible without upscaling.
Custom Fit
You specify exactly how many pages wide and tall you want your poster. PrintTiler scales your image to fill that grid.
Resolution behavior: The more pages you use, the lower the effective DPI. Fewer pages = higher DPI but smaller poster.
Recommended Settings by Use Case
Photo Prints
High (300 DPI)
Photos have fine details that benefit from maximum resolution. Use the highest DPI your source image can support.
Posters & Wall Art
Standard (150 DPI) or High (300 DPI)
150 DPI is sufficient for posters viewed from a few feet away. Use 300 DPI for smaller posters or close viewing.
Maps & Diagrams
High (300 DPI)
Text and fine lines in maps and technical diagrams look best at higher resolutions.
Banners & Signs
Standard (150 DPI) or lower
Large banners viewed from a distance don't need high DPI. 100-150 DPI is often sufficient.
Pro Tips for Best Results
Start with a High-Resolution Source
The most important factor in print quality is your source image. A 300×300 pixel image can never produce a sharp A4 print, no matter what DPI setting you choose. Whenever possible, use the highest resolution version of your image.
Check Estimated DPI Before Printing
Always look at the estimated DPI indicator before clicking "Slice and Print." If it shows "Blurry," consider using fewer pages or finding a higher-resolution source.
Match DPI to Viewing Distance
A poster on a wall 2 meters away doesn't need 300 DPI. For every meter of viewing distance, you can reduce DPI significantly. At 2 meters, even 75 DPI can look acceptable.
Consider File Size vs. Quality Trade-off
Higher DPI means larger files and longer print times. If you're printing a large banner for a one-time event, 150 DPI might be a better choice than 300 DPI for practical reasons.
See Resolution in Action
For a practical example of these settings in action, see our step-by-step guide to printing a large poster on A4 paper. For PDF files, resolution works differently — see our PDF printing guide for details.
Combine with Overlap for Best Results
Higher resolution prints benefit from using overlap settings to ensure seamless alignment when assembling pages.
Common Questions
What happens if my image is only 72 DPI?
The "72 DPI" in your image file is just metadata — what matters is the total pixel count. A 3000×2000 pixel image at "72 DPI" has the same quality potential as a 3000×2000 pixel image at "300 DPI." PrintTiler looks at actual pixels, not the DPI tag.
Why is my estimated DPI lower than what I selected?
PrintTiler prevents upscaling to protect print quality. If achieving your target DPI would require making up pixels that don't exist in your source image, PrintTiler uses the maximum DPI your image can actually support.
Can I force PrintTiler to upscale my image?
No. Upscaling doesn't add real detail — it just makes pixels larger and the image blurry. If you need a larger print at high DPI, use AI upscaling tools to enlarge your source image before importing it into PrintTiler.
Does paper type affect DPI requirements?
Yes. Matte paper absorbs more ink and can hide some detail, so 150 DPI often looks fine. Glossy photo paper shows more detail, so 300 DPI makes a bigger difference. Uncoated paper like regular office paper doesn't benefit much from DPI beyond 200.
