Understanding image size and resolution


    Understanding the relationship between the pixel dimension of an image and its print resolution is key to producing high-quality images.

    The amount of detail in an image depends on its pixel dimensions, while the image resolution controls how much space the pixels are printed over. For example, you can modify an image's resolution without changing the actual pixel data in the image--all you change is the printed size of the image. However, if you want to maintain the same output dimensions, changing the image's resolution requires a change in the total number of pixels.

    Illustration of Pixel dimensions equal document (output) size times resolution with these callouts: A. Decreasing the resolution without changing pixel dimensions (no resampling) B. Original dimensions and resolution C. Decreasing the resolution at same document size decreases pixel dimensions (resampling)
    Pixel dimensions equal document (output) size times resolution A. Decreasing the resolution without changing pixel dimensions (no resampling) B. Original dimensions and resolution C. Decreasing the resolution at same document size decreases pixel dimensions (resampling)

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