Practical answers from Shelton PrintWorks so your creative looks sharp in print, not just on a screen.
DPI means dots per inch — how many image dots (pixels) fit into one inch of the printed piece. More DPI at the final size usually means a sharper print when you look up close. Screens often show images around 72 DPI (sometimes up to about 150). For close-view print, about 300 DPI at the final trim size is the ideal target. That is why a file can look fine on a phone and still print soft: the screen and the printed piece use very different DPI needs.
Phones and monitors typically show images at about 72–150 DPI. Close-view print needs about 300 DPI at the final trim size. A file that looks crisp on Instagram or in a browser can still print soft if it does not have enough pixels for that physical size.
No. Pixel dimensions matter more than a "300 DPI" label in the filename or metadata. A 400×400 AI export labeled 300 DPI is still only 400 pixels wide — once you print it at a real physical size, it can look soft or pixelated. Check width × height in pixels, then compare to your final print size at ~300 DPI for close viewing.
For close-view print, multiply each side of the final size (in inches) by about 300. Example: a 3.5″-wide piece wants roughly 3.5 × 300 = 1,050 pixels across; a 10″-wide flyer wants about 3,000 pixels across. Large banners viewed from farther away can often use a lower effective DPI — we will help you judge that when you share size and viewing distance. Under about 200 effective DPI at close viewing, prints usually look blurry or blocky; 200–299 may be usable but a bit soft; 300+ is the comfortable target for work held in the hand.
For logos and text, vector (PDF with vector artwork, or AI/EPS/SVG when available) is preferred because it stays sharp at any size. For photos and many AI-generated images, a large PNG or JPEG is fine — just keep enough pixels for the final print size. Mixing vector logos with photo backgrounds in one high-quality PDF often works well.
Often yes, but AI art that looks sharp on a phone frequently fails when printed and viewed up close. Many generators export small pixel dimensions. Upscaling or “enhancing” a tiny file does not always create real detail — it can smooth edges without fixing softness. Prefer regenerating or exporting at a larger size matched to your print dimensions, and keep text and logos crisp.
Ask your AI tool of choice for a high-resolution raster export sized for print — not a social-media crop. State the final size in inches, ask for print quality around 300 DPI at that size, and give target pixel dimensions (inches × 300). Copy and adapt any of these prompts:
Upscale this image for print at 8 × 10 inches, print quality, approximately 300 DPI, target about 2400 × 3000 pixels, keep edges sharp, no extra text.
Create a print-ready background at 12 × 18 inches, high resolution, about 3600 × 5400 pixels, suitable for commercial printing, avoid soft or blurry detail.
Export the largest PNG or JPEG you can for print; do not crop for Instagram or Stories; preserve full detail.
Always check the actual width × height in pixels after export. Upscaling helps within reason — starting from a very small social download still may not recover missing detail.
Print-ready means your file is set to the correct trim size (and bleed if ink goes to the edge), has enough pixels or vector detail for how closely people will view it, uses an accepted file type (PDF, PNG, or JPEG), and keeps critical text and logos inside the safe margin. We still review files before print and will tell you if something needs a fix.
If color or imagery goes to the edge of the piece, include ⅛″ (0.125″) bleed on all sides beyond the final trim size. Keep important text, logos, and QR codes at least ⅛″ inside the trim (the safe area) so nothing risks being cut off. This applies to cards, flyers, posters, and most other trim-to-size print.
We accept PDF (preferred for most print jobs), PNG, and JPEG. Avoid Word, PowerPoint, screenshots, and social-media downloads — those are often low resolution or not sized for print. If you only have a Canva or design-tool link, export a high-quality PDF or PNG at the correct size before sending.
Yes. If you need us to design, recreate, or clean up artwork so it prints well, we can do that — setup or design fees may apply, and we confirm before doing paid work. We hope you can DIY a strong file first using this FAQ; when you would rather hand it to us, just say so when you request a quote.
Send a better export when you can, or continue with the file you have. If we need to rebuild, resize, or clean up artwork so it prints well, setup or design fees may apply — we confirm that with you before doing paid setup. Job pricing stays on your quote conversation, not on this page.
Shelton PrintWorks is a family-owned print shop serving Central Texas. Founded in 2025, we help businesses, schools, and organizations with print-ready files for everyday print, signs, marketing materials, and branded promo. Request a quote when you are ready to print.
When your file looks good — or you want help getting there — tell us what you need. Design or setup fees may apply if we recreate or clean up art for you; we confirm before paid work.
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