Why is 300 DPI the Standard for Custom Screen Printing?

Are you preparing to export your artwork for your custom shirts and want to ensure the quality of the print is the best it can be?

We've been printing custom t-shirts since 2009, and we've seen the good, bad, and pixelated when it comes to design. We are confident that we can help explain the ins and outs of dots per inch.

Let's walk through what DPI is, how it affects screen printing, and how to export your files in 300dpi to prepare them for your custom apparel project. 

So what is DPI?

DPI, or dots per inch, is a measure of the resolution of an image. In screen printing, DPI refers to the number of dots of ink that can be printed in a square inch. The higher the DPI, the more detail and sharpness can be achieved in the printed image.

A higher DPI will result in better screen printing quality, allowing finer details and smoother lines to be printed. However, the optimal DPI for screen printing can vary depending on the type of ink, the type of substrate being printed on, and the type of screen used.

For example, if the substrate has a rough texture, a lower DPI may be more suitable, as a higher DPI may result in ink bleed and less sharpness in the printed image. On the other hand, if the substrate has a smooth surface, a higher DPI can be used to achieve greater detail and clarity.

In addition to DPI, other factors, such as the quality of the original image file, the color separation process, and the quality of the screen and ink, can also affect screen printing quality.

Why is 300 DPI the standard?

300 DPI is considered the standard for high-quality printing because it is a resolution that produces sharp, crisp, and detailed images that appear smooth to the naked eye. This resolution is based on the human eye's limitations, which can generally distinguish individual ink dots up to a certain point.

At 300 DPI, the dots are small and close enough to blend to create the illusion of a continuous tone image, making the printed image appear smooth and high-quality. This resolution is commonly used in various printing forms, including offset, digital, and screen printing.

While 300 DPI is a common standard, it's important to note that the optimal DPI can vary depending on the specific application and the viewing distance of the printed material. For example, large-format printing, such as billboards or banners, can be printed at lower resolutions since they are generally viewed from a distance. 

In contrast, smaller items like business cards or high-end photo prints may require a higher DPI to achieve optimal quality. We've found that 300 DPI is great for high-quality custom t-shirts.

To export your designs in Figma at 300 DPI, follow these steps:

1. Open your design file in Figma.
2. Select the layer(s) or artboard(s) you want to export.
3. Click on the Export icon in the right-hand panel or press the shortcut key "Shift + Command + E" (Mac) or "Shift + Ctrl + E" (Windows).
4. In the Export dialog box, choose the format you want to export to (e.g., PNG, JPG, PDF).
5. Under the Scale section, set the scale to 2x or 3x, depending on your design. This will ensure that the exported image is high-resolution.
6. Set the DPI to 300.
7. Choose any other export options you require.
8. Click Export.

How to export 300DPI in Photoshop:

To export your artwork in Photoshop at 300 DPI, follow these steps:

• It’s worth mentioning that original art should be created at 300 DPI.
• If you take a low resolution image file and just increase the DPI, then it is tech still a bad art file that will need to be recreated.
• You can send the PSD or PNG with a transparent background.

After following these steps, you will export your artwork at 300 DPI, prime time for custom apparel printing.

Interested in having some custom screen printing done? The only time you’ll have to lift a finger is to upload your artwork and hit “submit order” *wink wink*

‍Contact our amazing printing pros, they’re here to help guide you through the process.