06/12/2025
💥 💥 💥 ATTN: SHIRT/HAT people i print for : RE: PRINT QUALITY!
# # # Why Raster Images (PNG/JPEG) Lose Quality When Enlarged
PNG and JPEG files are **raster images**, meaning they’re made up of a fixed number of pixels. When you increase their size, the software has to stretch those pixels, making them **larger and more noticeable**. This leads to a blurry or pixelated image because **no new detail is added**—you’re just making existing pixels bigger.
# # # Why 300 DPI Doesn’t Fix This
Simply setting an image to **300 DPI in Photoshop** doesn’t increase its actual resolution. DPI (dots per inch) only controls **how densely the pixels are packed when printed**—it doesn’t add more pixels or improve clarity. If the image itself is **low resolution**, printing at 300 DPI won’t magically make it sharp. It’s like trying to make a small, low-quality photo look good by printing it at a high setting—it won’t work.
# # # Why Vector Files (SVG) Are Different
Unlike raster images, **vector files (SVG, AI, EPS, etc.) use mathematical formulas instead of pixels** to create shapes. This means they can be resized **infinitely** without any loss in quality—whether you shrink them for a business card or blow them up for a billboard, they’ll always remain crisp.
For the best results with a DTF printer, you should use **high-resolution raster images** (if they must use PNG/JPEG) or **vector files** whenever possible. If you have a small PNG and want to enlarge it without blurriness, you would need to **redesign it as a vector** or start with a higher-resolution image.
Also, please do not steal an image online, remove the background and expect a good print … it just a NO! Lol 🙂
Hopefully, this helps clarify things!