When creating custom stickers and labels, artwork resolution is one of the most critical factors to consider. Resolution determines the clarity and detail of your printed design. The higher the resolution, the sharper and more professional your designs will look.
In technical terms, resolution is measured in DPI (dots per inch). A higher DPI means more dots are used to create an image, resulting in better quality. For best results, we recommend artwork to be at least 300 DPI at the intended size of your stickers or labels.
If your artwork is low resolution (under 300 DPI), your design may appear blurry or pixelated, affecting the final print quality. Understanding resolution is key to ensuring that your stickers and labels come out crisp, vibrant, and professional.
Why Is 300 DPI the Standard for Printing?
Many digital images are created at 72 DPI, which is standard for web viewing but far too low for printing. If you print a 72 DPI image, it will appear blurry and pixelated.
Why 300 DPI?
- Higher Detail – Ensures crisp, clean edges and sharp images
- Better Color Accuracy – More pixels allow for more accurate color representation
- Professional Quality – Avoids blurry, distorted prints that can affect your brand’s appearance
If your image isn’t already at 300 DPI, you can sometimes increase the resolution in software programs like Adobe Photoshop. However, simply increasing the DPI of a low-resolution image does not improve quality—it just spreads out the existing pixels. Always start with images built at a high resolution to avoid quality issues.
How to Check Your Artwork Resolution
Checking Resolution in Photoshop
- Open your image in Adobe Photoshop.
- Go to Image > Image Size.
- Look at the Resolution (DPI) setting. If it’s below 300 DPI, the image may not print clearly.
Checking Resolution in Illustrator
- Open your file in Adobe Illustrator.
- If your file is vector-based, it is not limited by resolution and will print clearly at any size. What is vector artwork? Find out here.
- If you’re using raster elements, ensure they are set to 300 DPI before exporting.
Common Resolution Issues and How to Fix Them
Issue |
Cause |
Solution |
| Blurry or Pixelated Print | Image resolution is too low | Use a high-resolution (300 DPI) image or a vector file |
| Image Looks Fine on Screen but Prints Poorly | Designed at 72 DPI (for web) | Recreate the artwork in 300 DPI or use vector graphics |
| Loss of Quality When Enlarging | Raster image being resized | Use vector files or start with a larger, high-resolution image |
Need Help with Your Artwork?
If you’re unsure about your artwork resolution or need help setting up your file, please reach out to our Customer Service Agents! We will check your file and inform you of any changes needed or if your file is good to print.
Get Started with High-Quality Custom Stickers and Labels
Now that you understand artwork resolution, you're ready to create stunning custom stickers and labels that look sharp and professional.
Additional Resources:
How to Set Up Artwork for Stickers and Labels
What is the Difference between Raster and Vector Artwork?
What Are CMYK and RGB Color Modes?
Need help? Contact our Customer Service Team—we’re happy to help!
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