Printing 5 April 2026 2 min LOOP DESIGN ADV
What resolution you actually need for large format printing
Myth: you need 300 DPI for everything. Reality: viewing distance changes the whole equation.
For a 6 by 3 metre banner viewed from 10 metres, 72 DPI is more than enough. Huge 300 DPI files choke the RIP without adding any visible quality.
The practical rule
Minimum viewing distance in metres multiplied by 30 gives you the DPI needed at 1:1 scale. A board viewed from 5 metres needs around 150 DPI.
Vector vs. raster
Logos and type are always delivered as vectors. Photographs stay raster, at the resolution calculated for the real viewing distance.
Checklist before you send files
- 1CMYK colour profile, not RGB.
- 25 to 10 cm bleed for banners with pockets.
- 3Fonts converted to outlines.
- 4File at 1:10 scale with 10x resolution.
Need a custom solution?
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