Dots Per Inch (DPI) is a crucial measurement of image resolution that determines the number of printed dots contained within a single inch of a physical print. The higher the DPI setting, the more detail an image retains, resulting in high-quality prints. DPI is primarily relevant in printing, whereas digital displays use Pixels Per Inch (PPI) instead.
DPI is an essential factor for photographers, graphic designers, and publishers, as it influences print clarity, image sharpness, and file size. Choosing the correct DPI ensures professional image quality suited for its intended use.
In this article we will see how to change the DPI of any image, for free, and to our liking, without any changes to the original pictures dimensions. But first let’s find out more about the different types of DPI and their uses, so you can always choose the right setting for your projects needs.
Different Types of DPI and Their Uses
DPI settings vary based on intended image usage. Understanding these variations is crucial for achieving the best print resolution while optimizing storage and processing efficiency.
1. 72 DPI – Web and Digital Displays
Images intended for digital use typically require 72 DPI resolution (or sometimes 96 DPI). Since screens display images in pixels rather than dots, increasing the DPI does not enhance clarity. Common applications include:
- Website images optimized for SEO
- Social media graphics
- Online advertisements
- Mobile and desktop applications
2. 150 DPI – Medium-Quality Prints and Office Use
A 150 DPI resolution is suitable for casual printing where high-end print quality is not a priority. This resolution is often used for:
- Internal office documents
- Draft versions of print designs
- Flyers or posters viewed from a distance
- Magazines and newspapers with cost-efficient printing
3. 300 DPI – Standard for Professional Print
For sharp and detailed printed images, 300 DPI is the industry standard. This resolution ensures that high-resolution images appear crisp without pixelation. It is widely used in:
- Professional photography prints
- Magazines and brochures
- Business cards and branding materials
- High-quality posters and fine art prints
- Print-on-demand (POD) services, where high-resolution images are necessary to ensure quality prints on various products such as T-shirts, mugs, and canvases. In major POD platforms like Redbubble, Printful, Etsy, and Teespring it is standard (not mandatory) to use 300 DPI files to maintain sharpness and quality across different materials.
4. 600 DPI and Above – High-End Printing and Archival Quality
For ultra-high-definition prints, 600 DPI and above is used. This level of resolution is essential for intricate designs and fine details. Ideal applications include:
- High-end art reproduction
- Scanning and archiving important documents
- Printing banknotes and security-sensitive documents
- Medical imaging and engineering blueprints
The tutorial: How to change the DPI
I personally work extensively with high-resolution images, particularly in the print-on-demand (POD) industry, and frequently face challenges with DPI settings—especially back when I assisting clients as a virtual assistant. After extensive research and testing numerous online DPI converters, most tools either produced low-quality results, had file size limitations, required software downloads, or altered image resolution. Finally, I discovered the best free online DPI changer—a 100% web-based solution with no restrictions, no downloads, and most importantly, it maintains the original image resolution for professional-quality prints.
Incomes Photopea, the free online photo editor. It is basically a free photoshop copy, so our tutorial can be applied on photoshop as well.
In our tutorial we will be working on this image:
These are the details of that picture: 
96 Dpi which is not the best, at least not in the POD industry.
Now comes the fun part of the tutorial. To start go to photopea (or photoshop if you are rich enough)
Then we click “new project”
Now this is where you should pay close attention:
Your new project’s dimensions should be the same as the Image you are working on (1). The DPI can be set to any value you want (2). In our example we will go for 300 DPI.
Then we just drag and drop our image. Since we are using the same dimensions for the project as it was demonstrated above, our picture should fit just right.
After that all we need to do is save our file. To do so click the “File” button, choose from the drop menu “Export as”, then choose whichever extension you like.
Now here is our picture after:
here are the details of the said picture after conversion:
Feel free to download the before and after pictures to make sure of the DPI values.
And that’s really all there is to it! Your image will retain its original dimensions and quality, ensuring that no pixelation or distortion occurs. The only change will be the DPI value you select, allowing you to optimize the image for printing, digital use, or any specific resolution requirements—all while maintaining the integrity of your original design.
