High vs. Low Resolution: Does it Matter?
High vs. low resolution images: does it matter? In a word yes. The resolution of an image or picture describes the detail the image holds. The higher the resolution, the more detail the image has; the lower the resolution, the less detail the image has. Many people tell me that their image looks good to them on a computer screen, but if you want to print your image, it’s important to understand the difference in low resolution (res) and high res and why high res is important.
Digital Resolution vs. Print Resolution
Digital resolution is measured in PPI (pixels per inch) and print resolution is measured in DPI (dots per inch). Pixels are the tiny little points that are the building blocks of a digital photo, whereas dots indicate the number of dots found within a one-inch line of a print. The more dots or pixels per inch, the clearer and more detailed the photo will be.
If an image has 300 dots per inch (dpi) that means that there is a lot of detail or information within that 1 square inch while an image that has only 72 dpi has very little detail. The image will look great on a computer screen because the standard resolution for internet browsers is 72 dpi. Because low resolution images have smaller file sizes, they take up less space and will load quicker which is exactly what we want on the web.
Printing and Pixelation
Image detail does affect print quality. Low res images will be pixilated because low resolution images have very small pixel dimensions. Simply put, when a low res image is printed, it will be blurry. Hi-res, or high resolution, refers to the density of the pixels that make up the photo. A high resolution digital photo has lots and lots of pixels, making it easy to see the details within the image even when it is enlarged digitally or in print. If you want to print a large size photo you must have a large size 300 dpi image.
Can I change a low resolution image into a high resolution image that will be print quality? Well yes and no. If you have a large low res image the answer is yes, but if your image is small and low resolution, the answer is no. Consider the following comparison of how resolution changes physical dimensions:
| Resolution (DPI) | Example Dimensions (Inches) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 72 dpi | 40 inches x 27 inches | Low res, suitable for web |
| 300 dpi | 10 inches x 7 inches | High res, print quality |
| 300 dpi | 5 inches x 7 inches | Perfect print at 1500 x 2100 pixels |
Understanding File Sizes and Technical Specs
What if my picture is 128 KB. Is that large enough? 1000 KB = 1 MB. In other words, a 1 MB image has about 1,000 times the digital information than that of a 1 KB image. When you want to print an image, remember that the larger the file, the better the quality of the print.
To check the resolution on a PC, right click on the image and select Properties. That will tell you the size of the image – KB or MB. Next click on Details. That will tell you the resolution and the dimensions in pixels. If you want to know the size of your image in inches, just take the pixel number and divide by the dpi.
In the digital world, 1080p (1920 × 1080 progressively displayed pixels; also known as Full HD or FHD) is a set of high-definition modes characterized by 1,920 pixels displayed across the screen horizontally and 1,080 pixels down the screen vertically. It is often marketed as Full HD to contrast 1080p with 720p resolution screens.
- High resolution photos are best for printing and enlarging.
- Web-sized photos are best for computer use (website, social media, email, digital documents).
- Pixelation occurs when a digital image doesn’t have enough pixels and it is enlarged too much.