: Print resolutions and document size I have been given the task of getting an artists vinyl cover etc ready for print. I have been supplied images by the photographer but they are at the following

@Debbie163

The image

Your image in this case looks too small. A decent image is at least six times bigger than that. Check if id not provide just a sample by mistake.

Some expanations first:

A good design output for print should include 2 parts.

a) A Raster (or bitmap) image: a photo, ilustration, painting, 3D render, etc. For this cases where is a single artboard I recomend that you have just 1 raster image. But depending on the layout, yes, you can have several, but not transparent ones.

b) Vector elements. Texts, graphics, boxes, icons, etc.

So, there is a chance that image is a sample and you probably can replace it later.

Use an apropiate program

1) Try not use PhotoShop only but aditionla programs.

2) Use Ilustrator, Indesign, CorelDraw, Inkscape or Scribus.

3) Set your document size. If it is too large use a scaled one (For example 1m instead of a 10m) Not necesary for the case for a vynil cover, but that is the idea.

4) Put your photo inside. If it is a small one or an excelent one that is the photo you have. Yes you can ask for a bigger one if needed.

5) Make your texts etc in vectors. All thoose programs I mentioned do that.

6) Export a pdf.

Some math on that image

Yes, the ideal resolution for bitmap images is 300 ppi. (except 1 bit ones that can be 600, 1200 or 2400 ppi)

It does not matter what 3200ppi has now. It is just informative.

The real deal is what size is that image supose to be.

If you want it covering all the background for a CD (lets say) 5x5 inches you need a 1500x1500 image... So you have a problem. For bigger designs the image is usless. (Unless can be "artisticly" modified)

If the image is just a small part, becouse you are making a collage, you probably can go with thoose.

Again, if you do the design in a correct program you can simply replace the image after.

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@Bryan765

It doesn't really matter; the image is very small. The average vinyl record sleeve is 12"x12" and, at 300DPI (300 pixels per inch) you'd need a 3600x3600px image. The one supplied isn't even a third that size.

The Pixels per Inch shown in that window is only important when you import it into a print document (like an ID doc). When you do, it'll currently only be 12.7mm x 8.4mm. If you change the 3200 to 300, the size of the image will not change but its size when imported will.

When you're using photos, make sure the actual pixel dimensions are 300px per inch of print.

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