Resolution
Resolution
has to do with the clarity or amount of information contained in a graphic
file. A photograph, a graphic off of a website, many of the clip art files
available as scanned images, and an image off of a digital camera, are
examples of normally low-resolution graphics. For printing the resolution
of any graphic needs to be 300 dpi (or ppi). Otherwise you will get blurred
and fuzzy pictures in the final piece. You can best discover the resolution
of a graphic using Adobe Photoshop; however, most photo-imaging softwares
should contain a window
that will tell you the resolution of your image.
The
screen resolution of ALL graphics on the internet is 72 dpi. This is the
resolution that a computer monitor can “see.” It is, however,
too low for the printing process which demands a 300 dpi image. A 72 dpi
image results in an image 5 times smaller in a 300 dpi printing format!
So, resist the urge to pull your graphics off of a website. Instead, contact
the owner or webmaster of the business or website and see if you can get
that high resolution image for printing purposes. If not, it may be that
you need to use a different graphic, or contact CPC to discuss your options.
Also, if you have a graphic that is 300 dpi at 100% in your document,
it does not mean you can scale it up to 300% and expect it to hold and
look nice in the finished product. The maximum scale suggested is around
150%. After that the photo begins to lose some of its sharpness and clarity,
and looks pixelated.(see example)
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pixellated
image of low quality
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The resolution
of vector graphics (drawings that can be manipulated by a
drawing program such as CorelDraw, Illustrator or Macromedia Freehand)
is usually higher than what the press needs. However, that is fine. The
really nice thing about vector graphics is that no matter how big you
make them they will hold up fine on the press.
