DPI is how many pixels of your image land in each inch of the finished sticker. Aim for 300 at the size it prints. At 150, the edges go soft and fine lines blur. At 72, the resolution most images on screens are made for, you can see the pixels.
It depends on the size you print
An image doesn't have one DPI. It has a number of pixels, and the DPI is those pixels spread across the sticker. The same 900-pixel image is:
| Printed at | DPI |
|---|---|
| 3" | 300 |
| 6" | 150 |
| 12" | 75 |
So the useful question isn't "is my file 300 DPI?" It's "how many pixels are across my design, and how big is the sticker?" Divide the pixels by 300 for the largest size it prints sharp. The guide to low-resolution artwork shows how to find a file's pixel size.
The number in the file can mislead you
A file's details often say 72 or 300 DPI. That setting only tells software what size to open the image at; it doesn't change how many pixels there are. A "72 DPI" image 3,000 pixels wide prints a sharp 10" sticker, and changing the setting to 300 without adding pixels doesn't make a small image any sharper.
Vector artwork has no DPI
Logos and illustrations drawn as vectors (AI, EPS, SVG, and most PDFs from design software) are shapes, not pixels, so they print sharp at any size. If your design started as a vector, send that version. See vector or raster.
Why it matters to us
Your proof shows the artwork as it will print, so a soft file looks soft there before anything prints. Our 100% Satisfaction Guarantee needs artwork of at least 300 DPI that wasn't AI generated; see refunds and reprints.