300 DPI vs 600 DPI Scan: Which Is The Best For You?

If you’re like most people, you probably don’t know the difference between 300 dpi and 600 dpi scans. Unless you’re a professional graphic designer, the difference can be pretty confusing and the answer really depends on what you’re looking for in a scan.

In this blog post, we will break down the advantages and drawbacks of 300 dpi vs 600 dpi scans so that you can make an informed decision about which one is best for you.

Digital Imaging & DPI

Before diving into your options for DPI scans, it is important to get a general sense of how digital images work. To do this, we will briefly touch on the concept of digital photos and DPI.

Digital Images

A digital photo is constructed of a grid of millions of tiny squares called pixels. Each of these pixels has three basic photo values: red, green, and blue (RGB). When millions of colored pixels are arranged in a grid, you get your digital image.

So when you save a digital photograph, what you’re really saving is an array of pixel data that make up the image.

What Is DPI?

DPI stands for “dots per inch” and it refers to the number of dots that can be placed in a line across one inch of a photo. This means the resolution or level of detail in your scan.

A dpi of 150 would mean that there are 150 dots in a line per inch, and 300 dots per inch would mean that there are 300 dots in a line per inch.

Makes sense? Basically, the higher the DPI, the sharper the image.

How Much Does Your DPI Affect Digital Image Quality?

Even if you want your image to be high-resolution, increasing the DPI does not always automatically produce more pixels or a high-quality image. What a higher DPI does is make your scanned image larger.

This is because when you scan a photograph, your scanner records the image of the real photograph in digital format as a grid of pixels. When you increase the DPI, it does not add more detail to the original photo.

Essentially, in order to get a better quality print, the file size must be significantly larger. A great analogy is watching a VHS tape on an HD TV. Although the overall quality of the TV may be better, the film won’t appear any better simply because the output can’t match the input.

In a practical sense, a small picture with very little detail scanned at 300 dots per inch will look good as a printed image in its own size, but will lose quality if you order a larger print. The decrease in print quality is because of more space present between pixels in an attempt to accommodate the digital file size.

However, having higher DPI scan resolutions is fantastic for displaying larger photos. If you scan a highly detailed photograph at 600 DPI, it will still look great as larger prints.

300 DPI Vs 600 DPI. Which Scan Should I Use?

Here are some tips to help you decide:

• The industry standard for good quality photographs is 300 DPI and these photos are typically sufficient for most purposes.
• Generally, 300 DPI is great for small prints, while 600 DPI is amazing for large prints.
• If you’re scanning documents or photos to be used on the web or in emails, 300 dpi is more than enough.
• If you want to print large photos or blow them up to poster size, 600 dpi will give you better results.
• If you’re scanning artwork or other images with fine details, 600 dpi will give you better results.
• 300 dpi is faster to scan than 600 dpi if speed is a concern.
• If storage space is an issue, 300 dpi is your best bet as it uses less disk space than 600 dpi.

So, which is the best for you? The answer depends on your specific needs. If you’re not sure, 300 dpi is a good starting point.

You can always rescan at 600 dpi if you need to!

Other Factors That Influence Print Quality

It’s vital to note that DPI isn’t the only component that influences print quality and resolution. These other elements may have a stronger impact on quality and resolution sometimes.

Upsampling is when users will change the resolution of a photo in a photo editing software like Photoshop. This will increase the DPI, but not the quality of the original image. The resulting image will be pixelated and difficult to make sense of.

The quality of your print also depends on the type of paper you use and the quality of your printer. When a laserjet printer prints, the toner doesn’t seep into the paper and results in a clearer print. Inkjet printers will leak some ink, which may lower the resolution of a printed photo.

3 Tips for Getting Higher Resolution Scans

Scanning photos yourself is very simple if you have a scanning device at home. However, there are certain things to keep in mind if you want higher resolutions on your scans.

Here are three suggestions to help you get phenomenal scans:

Clean Your Scanner

It is important to keep your scanner clean in order to get the highest resolutions possible. If there is any dirt or grime on the surface of your scanner, it can show up in your final product.

You should wipe down your scanner regularly with a soft, dry cloth. Avoid using any cleaning solutions or water, as this could damage the delicate components of your scanner.

Clean Your Photos

Before you scan your photos, it is important to make sure they are clean. You also don’t want any fingerprints or smudges on your photos, as this can affect the quality of your scan.

If you are scanning old photos, you may want to give them a light dusting with a soft brush before you begin. This will help to remove any dirt or debris that could interfere with your scan.

Scan In Color

When you are scanning your photos, be sure to scan them in color. This will help you to preserve the vibrant colors and tones of your original photos.

What If I Want To Increase The DPI Of An Old Picture

Do you have an old treasured photo that has begun fading away? Old family photographs that capture your most important moments perhaps? Naturally, time plays its part on old images and they won’t have as much quality as newer photos.

That is where we come in place!

We are MemoryCherish, the #1 photograph restoration company nationwide. With a little description, we can bring your photo back to life, exactly how it used to be.

How Do We Fix Your Picture?

Our specialty is bringing damaged photographs back to life and restoring their sentimental quality! Our restoration artists will closely examine your blurred image, remove stains, mold, blur, refine and add more detail and color to each image.

No matter how many photos you want to fix, we won’t stop until they are in the best condition. We can handle any damage on any photograph!

Our commitment to producing stellar quality restoration service has even landed us on news reports by ABC, NBC, and FOX news.

What Do I Need To Do?

First, you need to make your print photos clean and ready for restoration. You can check out how to clean your old pictures.

Next, you need to carefully make photo scans of them. Then, you upload it and pick your restoration options.

You place your order, and that’s it!

How Long Does It Take?

We would restore and send a digital copy of your sharpened image back to you by email within 24 hours. If there is anything you would like us to change on your restored image, revisions are allowed on every restoration, completely free!

We also offer nationwide delivery of restored pictures in prints!

Can I Contact Someone For More Information?

Our customer support is available 24/7 to answer any further questions. You can send us an email at: support@memorycherish.com.

In A Nutshell…

You might be asking. So, what’s the verdict? 300 or 600 dpi for optimum image quality? The answer is both! Depending on your needs and how you plan to use the images, a different dpi may be better.

However, if you’re still unsure, we can help you out!

We will examine your photo, enrich the amount of detail, and restore it to the highest resolution for the purpose you need it for.

All you have to do is send your scanned image to us and we will work our magic!