For raster artwork, print resolution describes how the image’s pixels are distributed over a physical area. PPI means pixels per inch. The relevant value is the effective resolution at the intended graphic size, not simply a number saved in a file’s information panel.
Connect pixels to physical size
A 2400-pixel-wide image placed at 8 inches has 300 pixels per inch; at 12 inches it has 200. These are arithmetic examples, not universal acceptance requirements for textile printing. Ask the producer for the required artwork specification for its process and the level of detail in the design.
Do not confuse metadata with detail
Changing a PPI label while preserving the same pixels does not recover missing image information. Resampling can create additional pixels without reconstructing the original source detail. Adobe’s image overview explains the underlying pixel-based nature of raster artwork. Keep the original high-quality source whenever possible.
Inspect the part that matters
Review text edges, logos and faces at the planned output dimensions. A thumbnail can conceal compression artifacts, while extreme zoom can exaggerate defects that are irrelevant at normal viewing distance. Use a full-size preview and, when detail is critical, request a printed section on the intended material before approving the complete garment.
Give production a complete file brief
Send pixel dimensions, intended print dimensions and the original file, not only a screenshot of its properties. Keep units explicit. A digital producer may specify a different preferred resolution depending on the design and substrate, so avoid rejecting a suitable file solely because it does not carry a familiar number.
Practical checklist
- Record pixel dimensions and final print dimensions.
- Calculate effective PPI when needed.
- Check critical details at output scale.
- Request process-specific acceptance guidance.
Continue exploring
Related encyclopedia article: Vector vs Raster Artwork for T-Shirt Printing.
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