Printing: what DPI for design and print?

Hello all, I have designed a couple of CD covers for a demo cd I made, and I would like to print them up to be used in the case. The problem is, when I print them, they come out too small for the case. I designed them at 150dpi and printed them at 600dpi, and it came out too small. Then I printed at 300dpi and they came out too big.
My question is, what dpi should they be designed, and printed at, so that they are the size I need them to be when I print them?
Thanks in advance!

Need more info. What program did you use to design your covers and what type of printer? Do you have a print preview? 150 dpi seems fairly low resolution for a CD cover.





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I'm using Photoshop to design the cover, and I think it's just a regular ink jet printer.
I am going to be taking a family photo and printing it too, any suggestions on print dpi?

What format are you saving in Photoshop? Can you convert to PDF? You should be able to print at 600 dpi on most inkjet printers.





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600 DPI is overdone.
72 DPI for web
300 DPI for print
And for print your measurements should be the same size as your final result, ofcourse. a CD cover is 12x12 CM, so create a document that size.





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J. August
Web

Standard printing from a high quality press is 300 dpi. Inkjet is probably closer to 240. I hope this helps. Please let me know if you have any more questions.





__________________Advertising Agency - SavantLong Island Photographer - Bruce Kersten

CD cover that you're using to promote your business - first impression - that first glance means everything. I still recommend keeping the resolution at a minimum of 600 dpi for final print media. 300 dpi is fine for in-house draft or correspondence.





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Yes, I'm doing it at 300DPI but, here is the problem. A CD cover is 3.875" wide and 3.875 long. I created a new doc in Photoshop 3.875" wide and 3.875 long, designed it at 300 DPI but, when I print it at 300 DPI it comes out very big, about twice the size it should be.
My question is, how do I get it to print out to be the right size (3.875" wide and 3.875 long)?

Have you tested this across multiple printers? I'm guessing this points to the properties of the inkjet you're using. By default, I've never seen a printer alter the size of a document based on resolution.





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No, I have not. I have just the one printer to use. It does not have to be perfect quality, its just a demo cd to give to my friends and family as a stocking stuffer.
If I want it to print the document at 3.875" x 3.875", and the document i designed is 3.875x3.875, what DPI should I design and print it at?
Thanks in advance!

You should check that if you are resizing your image in PS that you have the resample image box checked otherwise the dpi will change. Also as state above, try to rule the printer out as being the culprit. If you post back here, I will be able to help you.
Best of lick





__________________Advertising Agency - SavantLong Island Photographer - Bruce Kersten

are you sure you havent just set the document to 3875x3875 pixels instead of inches?





__________________
J. August
Web

Quote:



Originally Posted by savantcreative


You should check that if you are resizing your image in PS that you have the resample image box checked otherwise the dpi will change. Also as state above, try to rule the print