Overview
How pixel dimensions and dots-per-inch determine print quality—and why designing at final size at 300 DPI prevents blurry production files.
Quick facts
- Difficulty
- Beginner
- Best for
- Print fundamentals
- Typical output
- 300 DPI PNG, Print-sized PDF
- Learning time
- 15–30 min
- Typical cost
- Free to learn
Excellent for
- Apparel, drinkware, and sublimation graphics★★★★★
- Raster artwork from Photoshop, Procreate, or GIMP★★★★★
- Any process where the maker prints your PNG or PDF★★★★★
Compatible with
Production
File types
Pros & cons
Pros
- ✔Apparel, drinkware, and sublimation graphics
- ✔Raster artwork from Photoshop, Procreate, or GIMP
- ✔Any process where the maker prints your PNG or PDF
Creator & maker guides
Preparing artwork
- Work in formats suited for export: 300 DPI PNG, Print-sized PDF
Resolution & export
- Use 300 PPI for most apparel and drinkware raster art
- Match pixel dimensions to physical print size (inches × PPI)
- Export PNG at full resolution with transparency when needed
- Avoid JPEG for graphics with text or flat color
Bleed & safe areas
No items yet.
Common mistakes
- Scaling up small social-media graphics for production
- Forgetting bleed on wrapped drinkware
Best practices
- 1Set canvas to final print width × height at 300 PPI before detailing.
- 2For a 10×10 in print area, use 3000×3000 px at 300 PPI.
- 3Keep a high-res master; export flattened copies for makers.
Common mistakes
Designing at 72 PPI screen size then scaling up …
Designing at 72 PPI screen size then scaling up for print
Confusing image pixel dimensions with physical i…
Confusing image pixel dimensions with physical inches
Upsampling low
res art and expecting sharp prints
Troubleshooting
| Symptom | Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Designing at 72 PPI screen size then scaling up for print | See guides below for context | Review creator/maker tabs and troubleshooting table |
| Confusing image pixel dimensions with physical inches | See guides below for context | Review creator/maker tabs and troubleshooting table |
| Upsampling low-res art and expecting sharp prints | See guides below for context | Review creator/maker tabs and troubleshooting table |
Helpful tools
DPI & resolution calculator
SoonImage size calculator
SoonBleed generator
SoonAspect ratio calculator
SoonHeat press time & temperature
SoonSublimation wrap calculator
Soon