Image Resolution Explained in InDesign

Contrary to popular opinion, the Actual resolution of a file is absolutely meaningless when it comes to printing. Only the Effective resolution matters. Details below...

0:00 - Explaining demo assets
0:35 - PPI vs DPI
0:56 - The scenario
2:10 - Links panel
3:12 - Actual PPI vs Effective PPI
4:25 - Conclusion
5:24 - Closing example

The Actual resolution of an image is set when it is created, such as when it is exported out from Photoshop. When such an image is Placed into InDesign, the Actual resolution, which is embedded within the file, is honoured. Therefore, images with identical pixel dimensions may be initially placed at different sizes within InDesign if they have different Actual resolutions.

Images can easily be resized within InDesign. When they are their Effective resolution changes. When it comes to printing, the Actual resolution of images is irrelevant and only the Effective resolution needs to be monitored. It's common to ensure that Effective resolutions are above 300PPI (Pixels Per Inch). However, there are many printing situations, such as newspapers, when the required resolution may be considerably lower.

Both the Actual and Effective resolutions of an image can be seen in the Links panel within InDesign.

[corinnecowper]

Brilliant! I've been doing a lot of print jobs and had no idea what effective ppi meant and was always nervous about what the printing outcome was going to be. So far so good. Now I have confidence I actually know what I'm doing with images. Thank you.

[yann-pennaneac]

At last someone who is clear, simple and efficient. Thanks.

[katattack]

Thanks so much for the video, Michael! I liked the vid for its elegan explanation, but I subbed for the thoughtful and caring support of viewers. Cheers!

[marekstepanek]

Thank you so much Michael I watched a lot of tutorials but I get it only after I saw your video!

[thecallofthealley]

Still don't know how to make an image 300ppi when it's lower to start...

[TheSittingSocietyDoc]

You are brilliant! I got my answer perfectly. Thank you so much!

[davidailleneplont]

You explained this so well. Thank You!😀👋👍

[emmastorm]

Thanks Michael for the great video! In InDesign, is there a way to export at a higher resolution without increasing the final dimensions? For example, a 300x600px ad at 150ppi produces a 625 × 1250px file. Is there a way around this or better program?

[hughring]

So for a PDF meant for the web, would you insert images at 72 PPI so it will display properly onscreen? So a person should create two versions of a PDF?

[berkkarsi]

I'm having a problem. It's a bit long so if anyone wants to read and help me that would be fantastic.
- I'm working on a magazine project, and in my Preflight Profiles I have IMAGES and OBJECTS > Image Resolution > Color Image Minimum Resolution: 300
- In Photoshop I used Image > Image Size, I made the resolution of all of my photos 300 Pixels/Inch. I then brought them back to their original size but kept the Resolution at 300. I also converted all of my images to CMYK.
But now I'm getting a ton of Preflight Errors. In my magazine, after placing my images, I made some of them large and some of them small. How do I fix this? Do I have to measure how much space every single image takes up on the page and go back to Photoshop and re-size them manually?

[leothaking]

Wonderful tutorial! Thank you very much, it was most appreciated.

[JohnJJay]

Thank you Michael, much needed infos! _One related question, if you please:_ *what is the best way to maintain the sharpness of a photo destined to print when resized within InDesign?* I have to give several images to someone for him to put into a inDesign printed project, but he will decide their final dimentions: resizing (either reducing or enlarging) would cause a loss in sharpness, which I want to avoid of course. It could easily be corrected in Photoshop, but what about Indesign?

[alanchan]

Thanks for the tutorial! There is one question: How can I check the dpi of a scanned PDF file that is imported in inDesign?

[johnadams]

It is a GREAT video, however prior to about 3 hours ago, I have never used InDesign in my life. I am simply laying out an Epub, so mastery isn't required. But..and feel free to laugh....I absolutely cannot find that links menu anywhere. If your phone happens to buzz for new comments, would you please be awesome and let me know where I can find it? I am stunned that Google isn't helping me.