In scanning tangible images (prints, slides, negatives) to digital images, the size and material of the original piece are important factors. M aintain a minimum 300 dpi/ppi resolution and 1 MB file when scanning Your file size for an image should be a 1 MB (megabyte) minimum. Larger file sizes allow for larger prints and can always be reduced for web use if necessary. Image file size is the key for preserving tangible images. For both DPI and PPI, a higher number DPI and PPI is equal to greater detail and larger images. That size means images load quickly on a computer screen but are often too small for quality printing. The standard (72 ppi) is what is created by most digital cameras and phone cameras. So, when you’re talking about PPI, know that you’re talking about a digital image. PPI is used for determining the size of a digital image by measuring along its width and height. 300 dpi is considered standard dpi for printing. You’ll be hard pressed to see the dots, and if you can, you’ll see the size difference with a newspaper’s photo dots. Look at the photos in a coffee table book with a magnifying glass. 72 dpi, used in newspaper printing, is considered low resolution dpi. Look at a printed photo in a newspaper with a magnifying glass. So when you’re printing images or looking at a printed image, you’re talking about DPI. What to know about digital image sizes, DPI, and PPI DPI = Dots per inchĭPI is used to talk about (and comes from) printing, where small dots of ink are put on paper to create an image. Understanding digital image sizes requires a deep knowledge, but you don’t have to know much to be competent enough to make smart decisions about your family photos. It’s easy to be confused about image sizing. These terms from pre-digital image days are still used to describe our digital image world. What is DPI? What is PPI? Are DPI and PPI the same? If you’re confused by image size terminology, that’s no surprise.