PPI is Imaginary! PPI vs DPI vs Resolution

[@cdmcfall]

THANK YOU!!! I worked at a print shop with a woman once who refused to print a 4800x3000 personal photo because it was saved as a JPG at 72 ppi. She yelled at the customer who could not provide her with a higher resolution file, "Do you not understand? I can only print if it's a 300 ppi TIFF!" I opened the image that the customer sent, changed the image size from 4800x3000@72 ppi to 2400x1500@300 ppi (the final output size was 8x5 inches), changed the color mode to CMYK, and saved the file as a TIFF. I sent it to her and she printed it without question even though she had less data than the original. She asked me over and over how I managed to find a "higher resolution" personal photo of our customer, as if I broke into her computer or something.

[@petertrudelljr]

I had the opposite problems... customers would bring me images on their phones and want them printed large, then complain about how jagged they were. I was constantly having to tell people that the 12mp image they had could not be blown up to 24x36 and retain its sharpness. 24MP was the minimum I'd recommend for a 24x36 (about 168ppi) poster.

[@Daniel_WR_Hart]

You should take a tall thin glass of water and pour it into a short wide glass, then ask her if some of the water disappeared

[@cdmcfall]

@Octagian I'm 47 myself, so I'm not sure I appreciate your insinuation 😂. This was back around 2000-2001, and she was maybe 30 then. She's probably mid-50s now.

[@mindybluephotography]

oh, my brain!

[@diegochaves5144]

women 😂😂

[@alexflowr]

Thanks!

[@Cre8tiveWoman]

ADMIN HERE: Thanks for your contribution, support, and for watching!

[@evanmavros6555]

The visuals along with the context is outstanding. Your educational abilities are off the charts. You are a fery rare human being Unmesh!

[@thisavocadocanblink3846]

@qurashi akeel It's the notes app for ios

[@Anony_ous]

Thanks

[@Cre8tiveWoman]

ADMIN HERE: Thanks for your contribution and support.

[@eddiemin4312]

Reminds of a vendor I dealt with once for a digital ad. Their designer called me to tell me that I needed to resubmit the art because it needed to be 300x600 at 300dpi. It was indeed 300x600 but I couldn’t get why dpi mattered. So I asked if they’re planning on printing it because that’s too small for print regardless and he said “no, it’s for online only”. I figured it’s pointless trying to explain so I just went into photoshop and changed the dpi from 72 to 300 and sent it back. My younger self would have wasted the next 20+ minutes arguing my point but I had enough experience by that point to know better lol.

[@InteractiveDNA]

300dpi did not matter at all. What matters is the resolution. This today still a huge problem with people. That’s why you should never never ask for dpi or dpi or you will endup with a low resolution image or logo stretch to fit inside a big box. Always ask for resolution.

[@muffemod]

Same situation for me. So many people in the world don't grasp simple and naturally intuitive mathematical and logical concepts.

[@jimdavies]

Whilst I would normally totally agree with you, in desktop publishing dpi is represented in the digital file and is used to save someone from having to change the resolution (a 2 second job) but they always ask for x-dpi . Took me a while to get that but if you look at something like Adobe's in-design and import an image at 300ppi and one at 72ppi they're actually displayed at print size, this is completely different to photoshop that would show both as identical images

[@realMDizzy]

YES!!! Print people don't get it, they get fixated on dpi but disregard the size multiplier!!! I don't get how they don't get it!

[@realMDizzy]

@@jimdavies I get what you are saying because it would throw the scaling off in a print layout program. BUT in my experience it was happening just when someone needed an asset from me to use on some social media piece. I have to tell them the assets are plenty big enough.

[@10ON10]

*I think this is an important lesson for photoshop, I once had to get a flex board printed for one of my business, I sent the image to the agency in high ppi but not very huge size in inches, the agency person asked for higher size again and again, in the end as the image in high dpi and full inches had the size of 1 GB or something I simply decreased the ppi and increased the size in inches, was thankful it was okay...*

[@rochendlywouters9113]

Anything bigger then A2 should not be 300ppi

[@SmallSpoonBrigade]

@@rochendlywouters9113 Depends what you're doing, but generally you're correct. I scan at 600ppi most of the time so that when I throw out 3/4 of the pixels I've still got a decent resolution. Sometimes I'll go as high as 1200ppi if I've got a more important image, more image information or there's more noise to contend with. But, 300dpi at that size is frequently more than you'd need or have use for.

[@rochendlywouters9113]

@@constantinosschinas4503 read it again, you should know that dpi and ppi are not the same i said ppi

[@SteveWhiteDallas]

Tell me if I'm wrong. My understanding is that pixels only matter on a computer (digital rendering.) Printers don't print pixels. They print dots. That means on a computer, you cannot draw a true arch, but only "stairsteps." A printer though, can print a true arch if there are enough dots per inch because each dot's location is measured from a reference point ("x" dots left or right and "y" dots up or down) with each dot, a different numerical value is assigned to x and y and the count always begins at the reference point. That's like G Code without the "z" axis.

[@omegaman7377]

@@rochendlywouters9113 Even for A2, 300ppi is low, unless you got a low quality printer.

[@rainmakr3595]

8:20 is the key part of this video. PPI is a physical measurement and is (should be) used in hardware specs. Monitor spec sheets used to indicate the PPI. Maybe they still do. Most of the time these days you only hear monitors referred to as a 2k, 4K or 8K display (or whatever) and you are left to do the math on your own. Back in the day, PPI *did* matter in web design as some browsers would display images based on the PPI/DPI and not based on the length & width specified in the code which sometimes threw off the page layout.. For VGA (or was it SVGA?) monitors, 72 DPI/PPI was the norm. It would also cause issues when printing a raw image file (right-click & print). Then the printer would print at whatever PPI or DPI was specified. The only time PPI matters in Photoshop is when exporting and specifying length & width in a physical measurement (ie. inches). That's when PPI might need to be specified. Anymore, though, it's standard practice to export the full, high-resolution document and let the output device or publishing software (be it to print or screen) do the conversion.

[@derekdammann6417]

There was never a time when ppi ever mattered to the web. 72 was never any norm.

[@poppypalais3108]

@@derekdammann6417 It's the default setting in Photoshop/Image Size, as in many other gfx programs. Seems to have been, and still is, some kind of norm.

[@jimdavies]

Yes it's not really a norm. But it was incorrectly used as a norm if that's making sense. 72dpi was always a myth.

[@jimdavies]

Actually back in the day it didn't matter. Ppi has never had any effect on the digital image. What people did was change the ppi so that 1 inch on screen would replicate 1 inch of print. Ppi sets the print size so when you change ppi all you are doing is changing print size. You don't change the image size. 72dpi is actually a myth...... it was used incorrectly. Its never really been a norm. Printers print doors so dpi is only relevant to printers. Ppi sets your print size. Ppi = Pixels / print size It's a simple conversion Dpi is different as that's set at printer level (in the printer driver usually) Not in photoshop

[@poppypalais3108]

@@jimdavies But if you set your ppi lower than the dpi, won't you end up printing out a blocky image?

[@Refract3d]

Thank you for explaining this. I feel like I've been explaining this to people for 20 years when they talk about PPI incoherently. I feel like at some point this was explained to people incorrectly, and it was never 'corrected' for them. Asking for a 300 dpi image when i send them a 72 dpi image.. because they wanted a higher resolution - but the funny part is, they weren't printing it. they were asking for the wrong thing! they just wanted more pixels in the end.

[@geort45]

Yup, totally idiotic... reminds me of a time when doing a webpage, the client was asking what PPI was I using for the images...

[@Refract3d]

@@geort45 Ha, yep.. i often used the analogy, of saying "saying this image on a website (all digital) is 72 PPI is the same as saying my room is 12 inches per foot, then asking them, how big is my room?" they were confused, and i said "exactly! so when you ask for that same image in 300 PPI to put on the website, it's completely meaningless unless you're going to print it.

[@eddiemin4312]

I’ve had similar experiences. When they ask for specific dimension in pixels @ 300 dpi, lol really?

[@vikasnikalje6229]

I also faced this issue and Just sent files by changing 72 to 300 in image size just to show it in image description ( as clients just want to see it and have no knowledge of quality )

[@vikasnikalje6229]

I also faced this issue and Just sent files by changing 72 to 300 in image size just to show it in image description ( as clients just want to see it and have no knowledge of quality )

[@Z-Diode]

Some theoretical lessons now and then are always welcome to complement your outstanding practical lessons. 🤓

[@rafaeldutertejr.3681]

Y

[@ratnesh8297]

can please do illustrator tutorials. your tutorials are great and on point.

[@YashJain0702]

I think he is not a illustrator guy

[@ratnesh8297]

@@YashJain0702 do you know any, if yes then please suggest some.

[@YashJain0702]

@@ratnesh8297 design academy

[@ratnesh8297]

@@YashJain0702 thank you yash

[@slykhajiit2]

@@YashJain0702 I said the same thing about Unmesh and Adobe Premiere. Surely enough, he replied he was just getting ready to master it enough that he's comfortable to teach it already. It's not impossible.

[@Crlarl]

I get your general point but I take issue with one aspect: There is always a physical property to resolution. Unless you plug your brain into your computer directly, you have to convert pixels into linear dimensions. Whether you're viewing the image on a phone, monitor, projector, paper, anything at all, it now has spatial dimensions. Likewise, taking an image also has spatial dimensions with a scanner or camera. Inside a computer, these numbers are arbitrary but when they get rendered to the user, it becomes fixed. Maybe it's more helpful to think of pixels as "dimensionless units" much like degrees or radians.

[@AdrianvanWijk]

Technically you're correct but being correct doesn't help when you need a 1000px x 1000px image at 72 DPI (the DPI should be considered irreverent) it's frustrating when the designer gives you a 240px x 240px images because they down samples a 300 DPI 1000px x 1000px file to be 72 DPI not realizing that the "physical property" is irrelevant in a digital environment where pixels are displayed 1:1.

[@jaydeeptaank1049]

@@AdrianvanWijk Absolutely Adrain, all these are matters when it is practiced for viewing. The more dpi/ ppi the more detail one can add. But our eyes are limited to a certain limit for viewing details. Beyond this level we cannot differentiate the individual unit whether it is in digital form or in printed form. Therefore it is better to use the appropriate density of Pixels or Dots.

[@BHF222]

Summary: If you arent going to print anything, dont worry about PPI. And DPI has nothing to do with anything digital, only the printers capability. Great video my guy!

[@samworth9310]

jesus christ! FINALLY - someone that actually explains it well. all those other tutorials - i kept saying "that doesn't even make sense." they forget to emphasize the physical-digital aspect of all of this.

[@austinross9292]

This brought me back to school so quickly! We had a similar debate in class on ppi and resolution. It gave me a better understanding of using a seemingly irrelevant data metric as a tool in my belt to use when determining photo quality when needing to print the final result. Your content is great Unmesh and thank you for reviving my interest in this field! Also, your videos got me to finally budge and buy a graphics tablet... I couldn’t be happier :)

[@almost_harmless]

Perfectly explained. As far as I can tell, the confusion often (not always) stems from what printers ask of a customer (who is not into graphics) for e.g. an A4 with a 300 dpi image, who then asks their web designer or digital artist (who often, not always, have no clue about printing) who then argues that the resolution they have used is good enough, citing pixels. The client get confused by the words and demands and that confusion and frustration then seeps back into the mind of both those that print and digital only artists, who both then think everyone else is a moron. I was a client before I was a digital artist, and then I worked in printing. I have seen it all...

[@freedonx]

I had the same experience! One of my employees is the design expert and we wanted to print some cards and the printer business kept saying the file wouldn't work

[@mikeswazey-d4u]

wow I got to say, after watching HOURS of KZbin tutorials. Your are by far the best in terms of getting straight to the point and giving us viewers what we want. this actually taught me something within the first minute, THANK YOU!!

[@AmaSharapova]

OMG. This is the best video I have seen in my life. I never understood the ppi and gave up on it))) But you have changed it all for me! Thank you! Amazing job.

[@EduardodeRegules]

Brilliant as always! 🙌 But how in the world do you photoshop your perfect hair?? 😅👍 Keep up the excellent work.

[@Aphelia.]

Soothing voice, no distracting music, gorgeous brows and very informative. 10/10. subbed

[@thahrimdon]

God dang I love this guy, straight to the point, concise, and very eloquent. Couldn’t like or subscribe fast enough! Thanks man!

[@marvelchuruk7052]

Its always astonishing how subjects that I struggled with to understand for a time, are CRYSTAL clear in the first minute of your video....you have a gift to teach!! Thank you!

[@HNTAutumnleaf]

How is he so good in explaining stuff? My teachers always seem to make it look, like the most unreachable thing to achieve. But here he is, the calm and explaining perfectly.

[@keithcurtis]

Thank you. I have to explain this to folks about once a month. Most of my background is in digital pre-press and getting across the idea that there is no such thing as an "inch" in digital graphics can be maddening.

[@tommynikon2283]

That explosion you heard was my brain; again. Fantastic digital lesson; ANOTHER thing I learned from a Master practitioner. Thankyou.

[@the-pixel-whisperer]

I have been blessed with a TON of teachers on KZbin. Unmesh, you are the best of them all.

[@khandimahn9687]

As someone who works with printing, knowing the definitions and how these relate to each other is very important.

[@Hofberg.artadvisory]

Where have you been all my life! Thank you (as always) for your clairity, relevance, and, in this case, hand-drawn visual aids (and I'm not even kidding).

[@maxlim8049]

Thanks for sharing this! There are so many graphic design professionals who dont even understand this very basic concept.

[@doronletzter]

What a great explanation! So many people, mostly graphic designers, are getting confused about it.

[@doronletzter]

@@strixcz Just yesterday I've been asked by a graphic designer to send the pictures I took for a campaign in 300DPI (they didn't care about the resolution) and in a vector format 🤦🏻‍♂️ And it's not the first neither the second time I've heard it..

[@jcscobucci]

The best explanation video about resolution I have seen to these days. Thank you Unmesh!

[@vembriarta471]

Im having hard time deciding ppi yesterday and this suddenly come to my recommendation today, it helps so much thank you !

[@sadesign4390]

I am forever grateful for these sessions

[@RealButcher]

Wow, finally someone who gets to the point right from the start! Well done. And thanks for this explanation.

[@EricAtRandom]

The PPI is used in printing. The idea is if you draw a 1-inch square in Photoshop, it prints 1 inch wide on paper when not scaled. The moment you scale an image to fit a page during printing, PPI becomes irrelevant once again. But if you were printing a template for drilling screw holes to mount a power strip on the wall, for example, you want the scale to be precise. One inch on the screen must equal one inch in the print.

[@jcjackman9915]

I started following you 4 days ago and I can't believe the amount of information I've been learning from you....Love From The Philippines ❤️❤️❤️

[@nicoloco1971]

I'm teaching technical aspects of design to future professionnal designers, and i must say that your channel is of great inspiration for my courses.

[@MirpurTV]

u make it so easy to understand. used your video to make a client understand DPI , PPI, Resolution. thanx

[@captaincrispy2184]

I'm not a Graphic Designer or Photoshop Professional but I STILL consider this channel to be one of the best there are. Outstanding every time!

[@Henminlul]

Perfect tutorial. Thank you so much

[@roxanamegyesi6991]

That finally makes sense! Thank you so much for this video!

[@jessepender5239]

From your hair to the content you're presenting everything is top notch!

[@MiguelJDC]

Exceptional indeed! Thanks Unmesh.

[@Ki113dbysw0rd]

I understand the separation of conceptual PPI not meaning much, but it is always useful to keep in mind as everyone viewing it has to view it on a physical medium, whether it's screen or print.

[@JGirDesu]

you missed the point of the video entirely

[@Ki113dbysw0rd]

@@JGirDesu nah

[@JGirDesu]

@@Ki113dbysw0rd yuh

[@lukastatzber6918]

Thanks for this amazing video 😊

[@PiXimperfect]

Hey, I'm grateful to have you here, Luke!

[@ryandxter]

Am half dead explaining this everytime to a new photographer staff, all of your content are most fundamental knowledge to newbie if want to become professional photo / editor, but mostly deny to learn very basic thing! thanks mate made my life simpler

[@thefacelessbiz]

This is just what I've been looking for. Thank You!!

[@me.in.berlin]

Valeu!

[@luisc.3765]

Your videos are pure gold.

[@DamiisDominion89]

Superb ❤❤ Love from Srilanka

[@QuangNguyen-md8ky]

Perfectly and coherently explained. Thanks

[@chivalries344]

Wow man, up until around 8:20 I was screaming at you through my phone. "Print duuuude, PRIIIIIIIINT!!" 🤣

[@TheHimalayanDiary]

Thanks for making such a informative video, several doubts are cleared now. Love from India.

[@surajitchoudhury7946]

I discovered this couple of years ago, but I lack the skill of explanation. Thanks for the video. Now I can show my friends, why I prefer 12MP iPhone rather than 108MP mi phone for mobile photography. Thanks unmesh.

[@surajitchoudhury7946]

It's a incomplete video, guess you know why...😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@3riyanto]

I think you take the wrong way, how if iPhone have 12mp & 108mp? What will you take?

[@dukepham]

You are gonna be the first one in the world explained PPI like this. Super smart. Sometime artistes need to forget art and use math to understand what they are doing.

[@johannesmyllymaki]

This was THE best explanation of these things that I've heard. big thanks!! 👏

[@imtiyazahmed4498]

You are amazing..❤❤❤ Another complicated issue with so simplified manner...... Thanks and be continue,👍👍👍👍

[@patogli]

Unmesh I have been following your tutorials for a long time and I have learned a lot. The NY image is used in may other PS and design channels. You don't need to say that you "traveled" your content is awesome in itself. Just keep doing what you are doing.

[@aandrep007]

Thank you Unmesh. Every once in a while I try to explain this to someone and I always get a look like i’m explaining quantum physics. You just made it so easy to understand! Great teaching!!!! 😅

[@dasaridharmateja0912]

Best one on technical aspects ❤❤

[@atindrabiswasDP]

This video was needed, thanks mate.❤

[@saltedjazza]

Unmesh you are incredible! This is easily one of the most informative channels on KZbin or perhaps even one of the most informative sources anywhere on the internet! You are a legend sir.

[@bala1000mina]

Genius Unmesh! Amazing tutorial! God bless you man!

[@-ASHRAF-]

The clearest explain ever. 👏👏❤

[@pascalhayisongh]

Best Teacher online

[@aominedaiki989]

Unmesh, you're one of a kind Photoshop Wizard who knows specifics about his work. Kudos man

[@cutitas85]

Ty man this give me a good understanding of dpi for my co2 laser, as i was strugle with it when i needed to engrave pictures... very good keep it up

[@S2KBo]

You are the perfect Teacher man.

[@raducristiandimitrie]

your videos are amazing! GJ

[@AresEverett]

Im not a native English speaker and I still understood what you said cuz you are a great teacher!

[@sandippawar6193]

Excellent informative video again Unmesh!

[@opikkambar1944]

very inspiring and useful, cool

[@brandonfoy9583]

Thank you So Much for this! I really needed this to fully understand resolution better, I had no idea about this.

[@design4nyone793]

You are such a great teacher. It is easy to understand and fun to watch

[@jonfletcher147]

Great and informative! Thanks 😎😎

[@thewholeninemedia]

Bro I halfway fell asleep to this, great explanation but your voice is so soothing 😂😂😂 great work thank you

[@sdyermal4883]

Amazing Explanation Unmesh... Stay Blessed 🙌

[@TechBuzzTherapy]

Awesome video as usual Unmesh.👍

[@datnguyen07]

u are such a brilliant teacher

[@harivijayvenkatesan6468]

I'm just waiting for a very long time for this. Great explanation ☺️

[@WebflippyOfficialPage]

Amazing Explanation My Friend! 👍

[@KismetBP]

Interesting points. I pioneered digital design since the early 80’s. The “resolution” DOES make a difference when transferring between systems, artists, programs, when scaling an item up, inputting & outputting. PPI or DPI comes into play most from Printing aka “LPI” or Lines Per inch. Most important as an output resolution aka digital DPI matching to printing LPI. Text resolution/vector art is output to film/printing for 150 LPI at 2540 DPI (yes 2540, thats not a typo) and photos at 300 DPI (the actual exact number being 304.8 DPI back in the day) to have a constant output size. Note the imagesetter/printer/plotter have standard sizes it works with, change these sizes and your output will either be the wrong size or get lower quality as you increase it in size. We also had a GIANT book of resolutions and printing requirements for printers all over the world. 150 LPI X 2 = DPI aka 300 DPI. Biggest tip, always make something at the largest size first, scale images only down. Much love & keep on rocking those designs! ❤️🤘

[@jimdavies]

Resolution for sure makes a difference but many mistake ppi for resolution. Resolution is the total number of pixels in your image. Ppi will set the print size for that set number of pixels. Dpi is the dots the printer produces when printing it to paper. Probing vector set isn't quite the same as printing images. You don't need 300ppi for photographs It depends also on the machine type you are printing on....

[@djerfiyoucef4066]

Thank you

[@pushtp]

The best teacher ever.

[@metrixc]

Great video. The content is as always of high quality. The mix of theory and practical lessons are great. Thank you.

[@jarod10100]

Very brillant explanation. 👍👍👍

[@sanpls]

Very important information. Thank you so much for sharing

[@johnmoorefilm]

What a glorious gentleman, wonderful warm gifted teacher, thank you

[@juliankaiser3086]

I fell back in my math course last year! Funny, I like those "explain videos" than for the cool content!

[@JohnDoe-gf5he]

You have a talent for teaching information. Keep doing what you're doing 👍

[@williamweatherspoon4527]

You have just explained something that I have been begging the Gods to understand!

[@nickhemphill]

Pixels per inch is only important in knowing the resolution of your screen. For example, if you know your screen is 150 pixels/inch, you could set the image DPI to that and when you are at 100%, it will be accurately sized for how large it'll print. But yes, PPI is mostly an uninformed conversation topic. DPI is too, to a degree. When people tell me they need an image with a certain DPI, I ask what are the dimensions, and they say they don't care as long as it's a certain DPI. OK, dude, you asked for it.

[@NakeanWickliff]

This is the biggest PITA with clients. My Lightroom defaults to 240dpi so I get clients with who think my 42mp image isn’t going to be good enough for their web application because it’s not 300dpi. SMH!!! I don’t even argue anymore. What’s the point. Go in, change the default dpi handling in Lightroom abs export the exact same freaking file….

[@Paciffic]

Yeah, I feel this video is a bit misoleading. PPI doesn't matter, as long as it is used inside of photoshop and for digital use - as soon as we're talking about phone screen resolution, it makes perfect sense to count displayed pixels per inch. More pixels per inch mean they're physically smaller - so the displayed image is sharper.

[@Sullrosh]

@@Paciffic it is never relevant on screens of ant type only when you get into print does ppi matter.

[@peterdavis9403]

Great explanation in the first half and I was about to stop watching to complain that you missed something, when you did the physical paper explanation and said exactly what I was thinking.

[@ensarokumus9351]

Unmesh, you are the best teacher I've ever seen. This video is so well done and under 15 mins, it's unbelievable. Answered all of my questions.

[@amiradaoud3253]

so important lesson . thank you sooooo mutch my teacher

[@joaopedrofrech]

This video is legendary, thanks 🙏🏻

[@waynelytton7517]

Thank You for getting into this subject.

[@AdrianvanWijk]

I love this video, I'm going to use it every time I have to explain this concept (DPI is not digital so it does not matter what DPI you use for a 1080 x 1920 image - what does matter is the image is 1080 x 1920 pixels.) I can't believe I have to explain this over and over to people who can't comprehend this.

[@khizarammar2806]

i was waiting for your video on this topic .. what a expalination what a video thank you so much.

[@lappask]

Man, you are a born teacher. You should teach teachers.

[@shounaksane2293]

Outstanding video and explanation, bro!