Website vs. Print

There are numerous website designers that create stunning visual images. However, if they do not have a background in print design, whatever they do may not be viable for print as there are completely different specifications that a web designer may not be familiar with.  If the image is not created at a high resolution, it may need to be recreated for print, increasing the turn-around time and incurring additional expense for design.

Images created for web are usually set for a resolution of 72 dpi (low-resolution), which maintains the quality of the image and also keeps the image size to a minimum, allowing your page to load faster. Images for print are set at 300 dpi (high-resolution). If you were to use a high-resolution image on a website, it will look fine, but it will probably also increase the page load time. Since Internet users are often impatient, you want to use images that are specifically saved for web, which means that they probably will not be at a high enough resolution to be used for printing.

Web vs. Print Samples

This first image was saved at a high resolution for print. You can see that it has quite a bit of detail. The second image is scaled up to 300 dpi (high quality – print resolution) from 72 dpi. You can actually see the difference in quality – the second image is fuzzy.

Every image that DLS Graphics designs is created at a high resolution so that it can be used for multiple purposes – print & web. The images are then saved for web or print, depending upon your needs.

In addition to file size, there are also other considerations such as color mode and bleed which are necessary for printing – please see my Nashville Printing Services page.

Graphic Design Process

We want your input and ideas. It’s rare that I do graphic design work for a client that has absolutely no idea of what they want. I think that everyone has some idea of what they like – even if it’s just a certain color scheme, a script font or a specific image. So, that is where I generally like to start – by having a conversation about what your thoughts are.

Depending upon the project, these are different items to consider:

1. Where will your artwork (or aspects of your artwork, such as a logo) be used?
   • Print?
   • Web?
   • Signage?
2. Do you have a specific budget you are working with?
   • For printed pieces, this is important because you can save money by adjusting page sizes, stock preferences, ink colors and finishing options.
3. Do you have an example(s) of something similar?
   • This may be as simple as providing a specific template for the design – as in a CD package, or an example of colors or even a general layout concept.
   • What do you like or dislike about this?

File Delivery:

After your design has been approved you will receive your final files. The formats for these will depend upon the initial artwork concept and what is required for print and/or web.

• Print Ready file(s) – Press Quality PDF file(s)
• Artwork in a variety of file formats
• Source files