DPI has become one of the most confusing topics in digital photography — mostly because it’s used in ways that don’t always make sense.

Many myths about DPI persist online, in print labs, and in forums. This article breaks down the most common misconceptions so you can make better decisions about how to export, share, or print your images.

Myth 1: Higher DPI Always Means Better Quality

Truth: DPI only affects print size — not the quality of your image on its own.

If your image doesn't have enough pixels, increasing the DPI setting will just make it print smaller. It won’t improve clarity or sharpness.

You need both:

  • High pixel resolution (e.g., 3000 × 2400)
  • And the right DPI setting (e.g., 300 DPI)
    to get a sharp result at a specific print size.

Myth 2: DPI Affects How Images Look on Screens

Truth: DPI is completely ignored by digital displays.

Screens use pixel dimensions — not DPI — to render images. A 2000px-wide image will look the same whether its metadata says 72 DPI or 300 DPI.

For online sharing, focus on:

  • Width in pixels
  • Compression quality
  • File format

Ignore DPI entirely.

Myth 3: You Should Always Export at 300 DPI

Truth: 300 DPI is great for printing — but irrelevant for web use and not always necessary for larger prints.

Use 300 DPI for:

  • Standard photo prints
  • Books, cards, and framed art

Use 150–200 DPI for:

  • Large posters
  • Canvases viewed from a distance

Don’t stress over 300 DPI unless you’re matching it to a target print size.

Myth 4: You Can Improve Quality by Raising the DPI Setting

Truth: Changing DPI without changing pixel dimensions does not increase quality.

It just tells your printer how to interpret the same pixels. You haven’t added any new information — and the image will look the same.

To improve print quality:

  • Start with a higher-resolution image
  • Avoid upscaling unless you’re using good software
  • Use sharpening carefully

Myth 5: An Image Needs 300 DPI to Print at All

Truth: You can print at lower DPI — it just won’t be as sharp.

150–200 DPI is often perfectly acceptable for posters, displays, and large prints meant to be viewed from farther away. Many fine art prints and gallery pieces are produced at resolutions well below 300 DPI — especially when scaled large.

Myth 6: DPI and PPI Are the Same Thing

Truth: They're related, but not identical.

  • PPI (pixels per inch) describes image resolution
  • DPI (dots per inch) describes printer output

You’ll often see them used interchangeably, but understanding the difference helps when working with professional printing labs or high-end displays.

Summary

DPI is important when printing — but not as magical or rigid as many believe.

  • It doesn’t affect how an image looks on screen
  • It doesn’t change pixel count or add quality
  • It’s only one part of preparing an image for high-quality output

Focus first on your pixel resolution, then adjust DPI based on how large and how sharp you want the final print to be.

Clarity comes from understanding, not blindly setting every image to 300 DPI.