We all use PDF files for one activity or the other. These documents have a significant level of functionality across different fields. In fact, most individuals and businesses prefer using PDF files as they are easier to use and more professional.
However, only a few know the internal workings of the PDF file. In particular, many don’t understand the DPI of the PDF file. PDF is a vector-based format entity and there are no “classic” dots (pixels) as one may find in JPG, PNG, or TIFF pictures. On the opposite, PDF format internally uses something similar to computer programs that can draw lines, circles, text, forms, etc. So PDF file is automatically executed to create a picture for various DPI (Dots Per Inch) targeting screens or printing devices depending on specific monitors or printing devices accordingly.
Diving a little deeper, within a typical PDF file, what you have within is a scaling command and raw imagery, which fits within a slot on each page. The larger the imagery, it means the slot is smaller. Therefore, you can easily zoom pages while printing high-resolution documents. As discussed earlier, the larger the file, the bigger the image. Also, you have to find the balance between the slots and the raw imagery size. Doing this allows you to get the right PDF file with a suitable resolution.
- Why is it Important to Know the DPI Resolution of a Document?
- How to Convert Documents to Have a Better DPI for High Quality?
- How to Change the DPI on a Document?
- How to Check PDF Resolution
- How to Increase PDF Resolution
- How to Lower the Resolution of a PDF
- How to Create High-Resolution PDF
All too often, DPI and PPI are used interchangeably even though the means are different. Specifically, DPI (Dots Per Inch), is that measurement more refers to the resolution of a computer printer. While PPI (Pixels Per Inch) or pixel density is synonymous with samples per inch.
In general, DPI is considered a measure of the number of dots, which can be aligned on a line under a one-inch span. This measure could be described in terms of an image or a video scanner dot concentration and spatial printing. With particular reference to PDF, it refers to the measurement of the resolution of a computer display, correlated to the size of the display in inches and the total number of pixels in the horizontal and vertical directions. For instance, a 300 dpi PDF is a document that contains raster information sized to 300 PPI at the defined output dimensions.
Why is it Important to Know the DPI Resolution of a Document?
PDF files do not have a single DPI value, all bitmap page objects have separate resolutions, therefore, course vector objects such as text have no resolution at all. However, this flexibility allows PDF documents to be printed and displayed with the highest quality even for super large sizes. If you compare this to JPG, and PNG pictures then pictures are just a set of pixels and you will see blurring effects when pictures are zoomed in or increased in size.
PDF files were designed to look crisp and clean but not bit-mapped or pixelated. Despite this, better-quality PDF files are usually larger. Many designs and photo apps suggest that files should be saved as PDFs. This is a clear distinction from images, which are bit-mapped. Therefore, small images get stretched while the pixel becomes significantly more prominent. Though having clunky PDFs are great for printing but it might useful for other purposes. For instance, you might need to transfer files or upload them into a cloud network. One way to solve this is to convert PDFs into another format while maintaining a high DPI.
Additionally, the better the quality of the PDF file generated, the larger the file. As such, most PDF file generation applications give users the opportunity to create files either for printing or on-screen use. It will also benefit you to make larger files for printing if space is not an issue for you.
How to Convert Documents to Have a Better DPI for High Quality?
So if you need to convert PDF into a JPG, PNG, or TIFF picture then you should use PDF Renderer SDK and just set the size and resolution of the output picture with a given resolution. And the SDK will render PDF documents into a picture with the desired picture resolution (300 to 600 DPI for high-quality pictures). So you should not worry about the resolution of the source PDF but just need to define the output picture size with the same aspect ratio as the source PDF. It allows printing from within the application.
Each of the file formats has its own benefits. JPG files offer adjustable compression with high resolution and smaller file sizes. PNG files may be slightly bigger than JPG but these files have greater compressibility and also supports transparency. TIFF files allow lossless compression which makes it possible to edit and resave without losing image quality. It can also convert PDF to BMP, PDF to EMF, and PDF to multi-page TIFF.
For simplicity, when you are creating a PDF document using tools like PDF SDK (PDF Generator SDK) then these tools are using coordinates calculated using 72 dots per inch (but this can be changed using . The Resolution property in the SDK). But, again, this “default” DPI value in the PDF Generator SDK tool is just for having a way to comfortably use coordinates to add lines, text, form elements, images (and other object types) and you may create thumbnail or print PDF using any other required resolution and output size.
PDF Renderer SDK is great to use since it renders different fonts with any styling, and renders vector graphics as well as images. It works offline and doesn’t require a constant Internet connection. It also does not require any other PDF reader software such as Adobe Reader to be installed. It supports .NET, ASP.NET, and Visual Basic 6 applications with both x86 and x64 modes.
How to Change PDF Resolution?
As discussed, the DPI can affect the quality of the output when printing. The settings that will change the appearance of PDF or image output will involve either compressing the file or changing the DPI. Compressing the files can be done right within a PDF reader.
The DPI setting of a printer will relay information to the printing program which has a dialogue box where you can change the DPI settings as well as other parameters. When you go to printing preferences in the printing program, find the advanced settings. Once that is opened you can change the DPI under Graphic-Print Quality before printing the document. On average a DPI of 300 is decent and offers a good quality output and a reasonable file size.
The best way to change your document is to export it as a high-resolution PDF. To do so in Adobe Acrobat, select the document and then select File > Export As > High-Resolution PDF.
If you’re not using Adobe Acrobat, you can try one of the many online PDF converters that will allow you to convert your file to a high-resolution PDF. Once you have a high-resolution PDF, you can open it in any PDF viewer and change the viewing size to whatever you like without losing quality. If you want to know how to make a PDF high-resolution for printing, changing the PDF resolution can help.
How to Check PDF Resolution
Adobe Acrobat’s “Properties” option is found under the “File” menu after opening a PDF. A new window opens with PDF file size, creation date, and security threats. Under “General” is a “Resolution” section.
PDF resolution is measured in dots per inch (DPI). Higher DPI prints more accurately and precisely. To measure a PDF’s resolution, you must know its DPI.
There are a few techniques to check the PDF’s DPI setting. Open the PDF in Acrobat and choose “File” then “Properties.” This opens a new window with PDF info. Find “Resolution” under “General.” This shows the DPI setting.
Trying printing the PDF at multiple settings until you find one that works. Too much DPI might reduce print quality.
How to Check the DPI of PDF
Open the PDF in Acrobat Reader and go to “Document Properties” under the “File” menu to see the DPI. Find the “Printing Resolution” area by selecting the “Advanced” option. The DPI will be listed under “Horizontal Resolution” and “Vertical Resolution.”
How to Increase PDF Resolution
There are a few things you can take to ensure a clear, high-resolution PDF when scanning a document or image. Also it answers the question of how to make a PDF high-resolution for printing.
Use a good scanner. This guarantees a high-resolution PDF. If scanning from a home printer, increase DPI (dots per inch). Office scanners need 600 DPI. Reduce the DPI of PDF to a lower PDF resolution.
Using Adobe Acrobat’s “Preflight” tool, you can boost a scanned PDF’s resolution. This program fixes PDF issues that could cause low resolution. Adobe Acrobat File > Preflight your PDF. After Preflight finishes, choose File > Save As > “Optimized PDF” This makes your PDF higher-resolution.
How to Lower the Resolution of a PDF
PDFs can have their resolution decreased in a few different ways. The PDF can be opened in an editing program like Adobe Acrobat and then saved as a lower-resolution PDF. Another way is to use a free online PDF converter like SmallPDF.com to convert the PDF to a lower-resolution version. This reduces the DPI of PDF.
How to Create High-Resolution PDF
Adobe Photoshop CC allows you to save your work into a PDF file that may be printed. To select CMYK, type enter, followed by Mode. Your project needs some simplification. I.M. files should be dropped into the layers palette. It seems as though your guise was preserved. To begin, select Save as an option. Factors that reduce the DPI of PDF must be seen. Photoshop PDFs can be formatted in a variety of ways. Examine the output by reading Adobe’s PDF Quality Preset. To download the PDF, select the “Save As” option (the checkbox).
Conclusion
A PDF file is a vector-based file, which does not have a single DPI. Also, you get to have the added flexibility of printing or viewing PDF documents with the best quality. However, the higher the quality of the PDF file, the larger the file, while the lower the quality, the lower the size of the file. Therefore, you have to decide on what quality of PDF file you require and for what purpose.
Furthermore, you always have the option of increasing the DPI of a PDF file. Doing this allows the quality of the file to increase significantly. This conversion can be carried out using the PDF Renderer SDK. Additionally, such a conversion can be done at the point of printing.
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FAQs
What is the DPI of a PDF? ›
PDF files do not have a single DPI value, all bitmap page objects have separate resolutions, therefore, course vector objects such as text have no resolution at all. However, this flexibility allows PDF documents to be printed and displayed with the highest quality even for super large sizes.
What is the resolution of a PDF? ›When displayed at 100%, the resolution is 96 DPI,so by applying the well-known “inches = pixels / resolution” formula, the actual pixels needed to display the image will be 1123 x 794 pixels. When displayed at 150%, resolution is 144 DPI, so the display size will be 1684 x 1191 pixels and so on.
What is the DPI resolution? ›DPI stands for Dots per Inch, referring to the number of ink droplets a printer will produce per inch while printing an image. The more dots of ink per inch the picture has, the more detail you will see when printed.
What is resolution of image in PDF? ›There is no such thing as a "resolution of the original images" once extracted from a PDF. There is only the width and the height of the image measured as the number of pixels. There may be an EXIF metadata info telling some "DPI" or "PPI" info.
How can I tell how many DPI my PDF is? ›Open the PDF in Adobe Reader or Acrobat. Find the "Image" menu at the top of the window and then select "Image Size." A new window will open, displaying the "Pixel Dimensions" and "Print Size" of the image.
What is 300 DPI resolution in PDF? ›If you need a higher resolution, go to the General category in the Preferences of Adobe Acrobat Reader and choose Use fixed resolution for Snapshot tool images and set the resolution you need, e.g. 300 dpi. Important: When pasting the screenshot into Photoshop, you should set the resolution of the new file to 300 dpi.
What is high resolution PDF? ›A high-resolution file is defined as 300 DPI or higher, and in CMYK mode for printing. They can be TIFFs and EPS files BUT PDF IS THE BEST OPTION. Preflighting is the process of checking digital files prior to sending off to printing.
What is the best size for PDF? ›Always use the 8.5" x 11" paper size when scanning or converting documents to PDF files. After creating each PDF file, verify that an 8.5" x 11" document was created.
What size is 300 DPI? ›We can imagine DPI as the number of pixels which would be needed for one inch (2.54 cm) of printed paper. Usually, for a quality print, we need about 300 DPI, meaning that an image the size of an A4 paper should count 2480x3507 pixels.
What are common DPI values? ›Fittingly, 600 dpi (sometimes 720) is now the typical output resolution of entry-level laser printers and some utility inkjet printers, with 1200–1440 and 2400–2880 being common "high" resolutions.
What is 200 DPI resolution? ›
As the dpi rate doubles, the number of dots within a square inch is quadrupled. Thus, while 100 dpi produces 10,000 dots per square inch, 200 dpi produces 40,000 (see table below). This applies to screens as well, which are measured in pixels per inch (ppi).
Are PDF images high resolution? ›PDFs will often be higher quality than JPEGs. This is because JPEGs compress images, leading to a loss in quality that you can't regain. Visuals saved as PDF are of very high quality and even customizable, making them the file format of choice for printers.
What is 300 dpi in pixels? ›An image meant to publish at 3.333 inches (82 mm single column width) and 300 DPI is roughly 1000 pixels wide (3.333 inches ¥ 300 DPI = 1000 pixels).
How many pixels is a PDF? ›PDF's are measured in inches as stated above, standard is 8.5" x 11" in the USA. 96px = 1" 816px X 1056px would be the width and hight of 1 page in pixels for a PDF in the the USA A4 standard.
How to calculate DPI? ›People regularly discuss digital images in terms of DPI, which stands for Dots Per Inch. The DPI of a digital image is calculated by dividing the total number of dots wide by the total number of inches wide OR by calculating the total number of dots high by the total number of inches high.
How do I determine DPI file size? ›FILE SIZE is calculated by multiplying the surface area of a document (height x width) to be scanned by the bit depth and the dpi2. Because image file size is represented in bytes, which are made up of 8 bits, divide this figure by 8.
How do I check the DPI? ›On Windows, find the image in File Explorer, right-click on it and choose Properties from the menu. There, click the Details tab and look for Vertical resolution and Horizontal resolution in the list, which will show you the image's DPI.
Is 300 DPI the same as 300 resolution? ›So, when you ask yourself, “what is 300 DPI in Pixels Per Inch per image,” the answer is 300 because 300 DPI in an image means there are 300 pixels per inch in your web design image.
What is the best high resolution size? ›In many cases, the best resolution for printing is 300 PPI. At 300 pixels per inch (which roughly translates to 300 DPI, or dots per inch, on a printing press), an image will appear sharp and crisp. These are considered to be high resolution, or high-res, images.
What is the highest resolution size? ›4K or 2160p = 3840 x 2160 - is commonly known as 4K, UHD or Ultra HD resolution. It is a huge display resolution, and it is found on premium TVs and computer monitors. 2160p is called 4K because the width is close to 4000 pixels. In other words, it offers four times the pixels of 1080p FHD or "Full HD."
What size is considered high resolution? ›
Anything 300 PPI or over is usually considered to be high resolution. DPI –Dots Per Inch, is a measurement to determine the resolution of an image for printing. High resolution values for DPI are also generally considered to be 300 DPI or over.
How can I reduce the size of a PDF file without losing quality? ›Go to the Tools tab > select Optimize PDF > click Open to access the PDF file you want to compress > select Reduce File Size > click OK. Alternatively, you can use Adobe Online PDF Compressor. It's a free tool that offers three compression options: High Compression (smallest size, lower quality)
What size is 600 DPI image? ›At 600 dpi you would get double. 4x600 and 6x600 = 2400 pixels x 3600 pixels. This give you a printed photo double the size.
What size is a 300 DPI image in MB? ›Remember though – to use that image in print we need the image to be 300 ppi, and at that resolution the JPEG will be around 3.5 Megabytes.
What size is 400 DPI? ›1200 pixels / 3 inches = 400 dpi.
What is a 300 DPI minimum? ›300 DPI is the standard print resolution for high resolution output. This means that that images should be a minimum of 300 dpi x 300 dpi or 90,000 dots per square inch to produce a high resolution print.How the two work together. Documents begin on screen and either stay on screen, or they are printed.
Which resolution is better 300 DPI or 600 DPI? ›This means that the more dots per inch (dpi), the higher the print resolution. For example, a 300 dpi printer can print 300 dots per inch of page space, whereas a 600 dpi printer can print double that amount, creating a much higher quality print.
How many DPI is 1mb? ›How many pixels are in a megabyte? The number of pixels in one megabyte depends on the color mode of the picture. 8-bit (256 color) picture, there are 1048576, or 1024 X 1024 pixels in one megabyte. 16-bit (65536 colors) picture, one megabyte contains 524288 (1024 X 512) pixels.
How can you tell if a PDF is high quality? ›- Open PDF proof by clicking 'View PDF Proof' icon in the toolbar.
- In Acrobat Reader, click Zoom(+) button until magnification is 400%. ( ...
- Text and images should look crisp and clear, with minimal pixelation, at 400% magnification level. ...
- Still unsure whether your PDF quality is good or not?
"A PDF document does not have one resolution. First of all, many elements in your document very likely are vector objects, which means that there is no resolution associated with them at all. And then, any image object will have its own resolution.
How do I make a high resolution image from a PDF? ›
- If you open the PDF file in Adobe Acrobat Pro, do File -> Save As Other -> Image -> PNG.
- If you open the PDF file in Preview, do File -> Export->Format->PNG.
- If you open the PDF file in GNU Image Manipulation Program (GIMP), do. ...
- Use ImageMagick.
The smaller dpi number is the optical resolution of the CCD sensor cells. A 1200 dpi scanner takes 1200 color samples per inch (creates 1200 pixels per inch) horizontally from the width being scanned.
Is 300 or 400 DPI better? ›For most documents, 300 dpi is sufficient enough to be of good legibility and to provide adequate OCR results. In some cases 200 dpi may be adequate for simply retaining a print copy of a document. Scans at 400 and 600 dpi will results in slower scan speeds as the scanner detect fine details in your document.
What is the difference between 200 DPI and 300 DPI? ›Printer Resolution and DPI Explained:
A higher DPI printer will also be a higher resolution printer. In other words a 300 DPI printer has a higher resolution than a 200 DPI printer. A higher DPI means a clearer and crisper print.
How many pixels is 8.5 x 11? Print resolution for good quality 8.5x11 printing is 2550px W x 3300px H.
How do I change a PDF to 300 DPI? ›If you need a higher resolution, go to the General category in the Preferences of Adobe Acrobat Reader and choose Use fixed resolution for Snapshot tool images and set the resolution you need, e.g. 300 dpi.
How do I make a 600 DPI PDF? ›- Enter PDF to image feature webpage in CleverPDF.
- Choose PDF file to upload.
- Select output image format as PNG.
- Image Resolution: 600 DPI.
When a printer prints at 300 dpi, it spaces the pixels onto paper at 300 pixels per inch of paper. Printing 3000 pixels at 300 dpi prints a 10 inch image on paper.
How many pixels is 300 DPI? ›An image meant to publish at 3.333 inches (82 mm single column width) and 300 DPI is roughly 1000 pixels wide (3.333 inches ¥ 300 DPI = 1000 pixels).
How do I convert a PDF to DPI? ›- Step 1 Open PDF to JPG converter 600dpi. Go to CleverPDF. It helps you extract pages of a PDF document quickly and convert the same into JPG.
- Step 2 Convert PDF to JPG at 600dpi. Select image quality and the input value of dpi.
How can I change DPI of an PDF file? ›
On your copier/scanner/printer
Before scanning your document, go to the home screen on the copy machine. Click on Advanced Settings. Click on Resolution. Change the dpi to a lower number like 200 dpi.
That same photo scanned at 600 dpi (resulting in a 2400 x 3600 pixel size image) will be about 24 Mb as an uncompressed TIF, 16 Mb as a compressed TIF and only 4 Mb as a print quality JPEG.