The Motive Internet Glossary
dots-per-inch (DPI)
Photographic images are typically printed at 300+ DPI. At around 600 DPI the halftone pattern is no longer discernible to the unaided human eye.
Dots-per-inch is a metric from offset printing that describes the reproduction quality of the printed image. Printed images are commonly created using a dot halftone pattern. The smaller the halftone dots, the greater the number of dots that can be printed within a set area and the finer the reproduction quality.
Screen resolution
In comparison to print media, screen-based images are of a much lower quality (resolution). The finest ‘dot’ is limited to a single pixel. Images optimised for screen display are usually 72 DPI—a quarter the typical resolution of a printed image. This lower resolution is the reason why images from webpages appear ‘blocky’ (pixellated) when printed.
anti-aliasing, dithering, optimisation, pixel
Reference links
- Color Glossary (SAP Design Guild)
Colour and visual perception terms relevant for graphic design, web design and usability.
Glossary A-Z