How Do I Check the DPI of My Artwork? A Complete Guide for Singapore Designers

When it comes to printing in Singapore, one of the most common mistakes designers and business owners make is ignoring the DPI (dots per inch) of their artwork. Your on-screen design might look perfect, but if the DPI is too low, the print will appear blurry or pixelated.

Understanding and checking DPI is essential for printing business cards, brochures, posters, or merchandise. This guide explains how to check and adjust DPI across popular design tools, and answers common questions Singapore creatives and businesses often search for online.

A crucial step in the printing process is checking the printing resolution for sharpness. Each pixel of an image is created by a number of dots of ink or toner, and this can significantly affect the sharpness and clarity of the final print.

If the resolution is low, the image will be blurry and pixelated, while if the resolution is high, the image will be sharp and detailed. Therefore, it is important to check the printing resolution before sending any artwork to print to ensure that the final product meets the desired level of sharpness and quality.

 

What is DPI and Why Does It Matter for Printing in Singapore?

DPI (dots per inch) refers to the number of ink dots printed per inch of a physical image.

• High DPI (300 or more) = crisp, sharp prints

• Low DPI (<150) = blurry, pixelated prints

Micro-intent insight: People often search for terms like “best DPI for business cards Singapore”, “poster printing resolution Singapore”, or “how to check DPI online” when preparing artwork for local print shops.

 

How do I check the DPI of my Artwork?

 

ADOBE PHOTOSHOP method

To check the DPI (dots per inch) of digital artwork on Adobe Photoshop, you can follow these easy steps:

1. Open your artwork in Adobe Photoshop.
2. Go to the “Image” menu and click on “Image Size”.
3. In the “Image Size” dialog box, you will see the current DPI value in the “Resolution” field. If the “Resample Image” checkbox is checked, uncheck it to make sure that the pixel dimensions remain the same.
4. If you need to change the DPI, simply enter the desired value in the “Resolution” field. Make sure that the “Constrain Proportions” checkbox is checked so that the width and height of the image adjust proportionally.
5. Once you have made the necessary changes, click “OK” to save the changes and close the dialog box.

That’s it! You have now checked and possibly changed the DPI of your digital artwork on Adobe Photoshop.

ADOBE ILLUSTRATOR method

To check the DPI (dots per inch) of digital artwork on Adobe Illustrator, you can follow these easy steps:

1. Open your artwork in Adobe Illustrator.
2. Go to the “File” menu and click on “Document Setup”.
3. In the “Document Setup” dialog box, click on the “Edit Artboards” button.
4. In the “Artboard Options” dialog box, you will see the current DPI value in the “Raster Effects” field. This is the DPI used for any raster effects applied to your artwork, such as drop shadows or blurs.
5. If you need to change the DPI, simply enter the desired value in the “Raster Effects” field.
6. Click “OK” to save the changes and close the dialog box.

That’s it! You have now checked and possibly changed the DPI of your digital artwork on Adobe Illustrator. Note that changing the DPI in Illustrator only affects raster effects, and not the vector artwork itself, which is resolution independent.

 

CORELDRAW method

To check the DPI (dots per inch) of digital artwork on CorelDRAW, you can follow these easy steps:

1. Open your artwork in CorelDRAW.
2. Go to the “Layout” menu and click on “Page Setup”.
3. In the “Page Setup” dialog box, click on the “Advanced” tab.
4. Under the “Bitmaps” section, you will see the current DPI value in the “Resolution” field. This is the DPI used for any bitmaps or raster images in your artwork.
5. If you need to change the DPI, simply enter the desired value in the “Resolution” field.
6. Click “OK” to save the changes and close the dialog box.

That’s it! You have now checked and possibly changed the DPI of your digital artwork on CorelDRAW. Note that changing the DPI in CorelDRAW only affects bitmaps or raster images, and not vector graphics, which are resolution independent.

 

CANVA Desktop method

To check the DPI (dots per inch) of digital artwork on Canva desktop, you can follow these easy steps:

1. Open your artwork in Canva desktop.
2. Go to the “File” menu and click on “Download”.
3. In the “Download” dialog box, click on the “More” button to reveal more options.
4. In the “More” options, you will see the current DPI value in the “Quality” section. This is the DPI used for the downloaded image.
5. If you need to change the DPI, simply select the desired value from the dropdown menu.
6. Click the “Download” button to save the image to your computer.

That’s it! You have now checked and possibly changed the DPI of your digital artwork on Canva desktop. Note that Canva automatically optimizes the image quality based on the selected download format and size, so the DPI value may vary depending on your download settings.

 

CANVA Mobile method

To check the DPI (dots per inch) of digital artwork on Canva mobile app, you can follow these easy steps:

1. Open your artwork in Canva mobile app.
2. Tap on the three dots icon on the top right corner of the screen.
3. Tap on “Download” from the dropdown menu.
4. In the “Download” dialog box, select the desired image format and size.
5. The DPI value will be displayed below the size options.
6. If you need to change the DPI, you can select a different size option to adjust the DPI accordingly.
7. Tap on “Download” to save the image to your device.

That’s it! You have now checked and possibly changed the DPI of your digital artwork on Canva mobile app. Note that the DPI value may vary depending on your download settings and the resolution of your device’s screen.

People also asked online: 

Q1: Can AI-generated images be printed at 300 DPI without quality loss?
A: Yes, if the AI generates high-resolution files. Always verify DPI before sending to printers in Singapore.

Q2: What DPI is needed for printing business cards in Singapore?
A: Most Singapore print shops recommend 300 DPI to ensure crisp text, logos, and graphics.

Q3: Can I increase DPI without losing quality?
A: Only if you start with a high-resolution file. Upscaling low-DPI images may result in blurriness.

Q4: How do I check DPI for multiple images at once?
A: Use batch-processing software like Photoshop or GIMP, which allows inspection of several files simultaneously.

Q5: Do printers in Singapore automatically adjust my DPI?
A: Not always. Some printers may compress files, affecting effective DPI. Always verify your artwork before sending it to print.

Q6: Can 300 DPI images be used for both printing and social media?
A: Technically yes, but social media doesn’t require high DPI—72 PPI is sufficient. Printing requires 300 DPI for sharp results.

Q7: What DPI is ideal for printing merchandise or fabric in Singapore?
A: 300 DPI is standard for most items, but fabric printing sometimes requires higher resolution for detailed graphics. Check with your local printer.

Q8: How does DPI affect eco-friendly printing options?
A: Higher DPI uses more ink, which can slightly increase costs and environmental impact. Balancing resolution with eco-conscious choices is recommended.

Beyond Printing: What is Branding?

Branding goes beyond logos or colors—it’s your business identity. It’s how customers perceive, connect, and remember your brand.

At Brandmystuff (section under Printmystuffsg), we craft cohesive branding across:

• Print materials: Business cards, brochures, packaging

• Digital platforms: Social media, websites, newsletters

• Customer experience: Messaging, service, touchpoints

Whether you’re a startup, SME, or scaling brand in Singapore, we ensure your print and digital materials leave a lasting impact.

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Whether you’re a startup, evolving SME, or scaling brand looking for a fresh perspective, Brandmystuff is here to craft an identity that works across print, digital, and experience. Talk to us!