Over the years, Inkscape has made a name for itself as the best free, open-source graphic design software for editing vector images. Still, when it comes to adding text to your graphic design projects, it’s not uncommon to run into the problem where your font is cut off. 

If Inkscape seems to be cutting off your font and you’re not sure what to do about it, don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. In our guide below we will discuss whether Inkscape is good for text in the first place before outlining the 5 main reasons why it might cut off your font. Along with each reason, we will provide you with a solution so you can get your project up and running. 

Is Inkscape Good for Text? 

Before we dive into the reasons why Inkscape might cut off your font, it’s worth asking the question of whether or not you should use Inkscape for text in the first place. Is Inkscape actually good for text?

Inkscape is great for adding small bits of text for several reasons. The main ones being that it can use SVG fonts for small sections of text as well as the sheer variety of text you can import. 

While Inkscape probably shouldn’t be your first choice for large blocks of text, it’s not bad at all for most fonts that would be used in small sections of a design. 

Reasons Why Inkscape Cuts off Your Font 

It can be frustrating when Inkscape inexplicably cuts off your font and only leaves you with a partial section of your text displayed in your design. Fortunately, most of the time the issues that cause this problem are relatively simple and easy to fix. 

In the sections below we have outlined the 5 biggest reasons why Inkscape might be cutting your font short so you can easily identify and solve the problem: 

1. Your Text Field Size Needs to Be Expanded

One of the most common reasons for Inkscape to cut a section of text short is simply because the text field is too small. The text field is the  

Follow the steps below to expand the size of your text field: 

1. Select the text field 
2. Click on the diamonds in the corner and drag them out until all the text shows

It’s as easy as that. Once you have done this your text should no longer look cut off. However, you may want to realign the text so that it is where you want it to be. 

2. Your Line Spacing is Too Small

If you have large text or multiple lines of text, it could be that your line spacing is just too small for what you’re using. 

To fix this, you simply need to try expanding your line spacing so that it can include all of the text you have added. 

3. Your Text is Too Close to the Edge of the Field

In order for your text to show completely, it needs to be aligned properly. If your text is too close to the edge of the field it can become cut off. 

Simply move your text so that it is more aligned with the field and this problem should be resolved. 

4. Your Non-Standard Font is the Problem 

Inkscape generally supports the most common fonts, as it is just an open-source software. If you’re using a non-standard font, therefore, it can sometimes create issues like cutting things off short.

If this happens you should go to the path menu and use the “Object to Path” action to prerender your text. Then you can simply cut and paste that text wherever you wanted it in the first place. 

5. Your Font Needs to be Reconfigured 

Hand in hand with the previous problem, some fonts can be configured improperly. These are usually non-standard fonts as well. 

To fix these you must reconfigure them within the font editor. 

So Really, Why is Inkscape Cutting Off Your Font?

There are a number of reasons why Inkscape might cut off your font. They range from a text field that just needs to be expanded, to non-standard fonts that need to be reconfigured. The best way to figure out which is the problem you’re facing is to start with the simplest fixes and work your way up through a troubleshooting process. 

Once you have figured out what the problem is, the solution is usually quite easy. If you think you may run into this problem in the future, feel free to bookmark this page and return any time!

For any graphic designer, it’s imperative that you have multiple graphic design programs because they don’t all do the same things. It’s also important that the programs you work with can work together. This makes a lot of people wonder if Inkscape works with Blender. 

Does Inkscape work with Blender? Inscape will work with Blender in almost every single case, except where you don’t use a .svg file. Any other file import from Inkscape will have too many issues to work with once it’s in Blender. 

Having programs that work together like this allows for a higher instance of people using the programs, providing feedback and helping them get better. Then, people will use them more, starting the cycle all over again. 

7 Facts About Inkscape And Blender

While Inkscape and Blender have been able to work interchangeably for a lot of things, they have many differences as well. What kind of graphic design project you are working on and how you want it to look is the deciding factor in which program you want, or need, to use. 

There are also certain things that Inkscape can do that Blender can’t or vice versa and it helps to know which program does what so you can work on your project with maximum efficiency. 

1. Inkscape And Blender Are Highly Recommended

Both Inkscape and Blender are some of the most highly recommended graphic design programs you can find, especially ones that work well together. Most people recommend or use one or the other of the program to achieve whatever end result they are looking for in their graphic design project. 

2. Inkscape Is GPL Licensed

General Public Licensing allows anyone to use and distribute Inkscape for any purpose, whether commercial or not, for any purpose. This allows people to do what they want when they want without too many restrictions, rules, or guidelines. 

This makes Inkscape a bit more popular than Blender given that any person or company can use it for exactly what they need without asking for permission or waiting for certain licensing to be approved. 

3. Blender Is Better For 3D Work

While many people use Inkscape and Blender interchangeably, it’s worth noting that Blender is better for work you need to be 3D. While Inkscape can handle quite a lot of work and different settings, it can’t quite handle the depth and dimensions that Blender Can.

4. Inkscape Is Easier To Work With

It’s recommended for those who are just starting out with a graphic design to start with Inkscape. The user interface is the easiest layout of the graphic design programs and it’s rather self-explanatory about how to create projects. 

5. Both Programs Function On Multiple OS

While Inkscape and Blender both function on Windows and Mac, each of the programs also works on separate different operating systems as well. Blender works on operating systems such as:

• Windows 
• Linux
• Mac
• Free BSD

For other compatibilities, you may need to look for other options. 

Inkscape’s Compatibility 

Now, Inkscape works on operating systems such as:

• Windows
• Mac
• Unix

As you can see, both of these work on some of the same operating systems, meaning you will likely have the freedom to pick and choose.

6. Export Blender In Any Other File Format

When using Blender, no matter what file you import or start your project in, you can export it to any other file format you need. This is huge because not every program allows you to export a file into any type of other files, usually they only allow a few choices. 

This also means that Blender is more compatible with other programs than any other program. Being able to export your project through any file format allows you to import it into any other program, no matter what format they require. 

Now, this doesn’t mean that you will be able to fully work with your file the way you want to, but, you can do some work depending on what program you imported your project into. 

7. Bender Cloud Membership

Now, something that Blender has that Inkscape doesn’t is a cloud storage option. You can choose to pay $11.50/month for storage that won’t use your computer or personal storage. This is huge considering graphic design programs and their files can take up large amounts of storage. 

If you choose to not use their cloud storage option, you would need a personal storage option for your files. Many people prefer a one-time charge over a monthly rate when it comes to extra storage so they go with a personal storage device. 

Final Thoughts

No matter if you prefer to use Inkscape or Blender, you can use both for separate needs. Inkscape and Blender work well together as long as you are using an .svg file to import and export. 

The quality of an image is based on the image’s resolution, which is determined by the number of pixels or dots per inch. 300 DPI is considered high resolution ensuring the image appears sharp and crisp. If that is the case, then it begs the question, why does Photoshop open images at 72 DPI?

The default Photoshop image settings for print are 300 DPI and 72 PPI for viewing on screen. DPI refers to dots per inch which is the number of inked dots per inch when printing your image. PPI refers to pixels per inch which correlates to the number of pixels per inch on your monitor.

Regardless of the terminology, though the terms aren’t interchangeable, the default Photoshop image settings for print are 300 DPI and 72 PPI for screen. If your images are opening at a different resolution, it could be due to another factor. Keep reading for more information and how to change the image resolution in Photoshop.

4 Reasons Your Image is Opening at 72 PPI

If your image is opening at a 72 PPI, first check and see which resolution the PPI is referring to, screen or print. If it’s the screen resolution, then 72 PPI is the standard for the web with monitor displays. If it’s the print resolution, another culprit may be in play.

Here are some reasons your image could appear as 72 PPI when opened in Photoshop:

1. Using the Crop Tool
2. Resampling the Image
3. The Image Was Previously Saved as a GIF
4. Opening the Image Size Dialogue Box

1. Using the Crop Tool

Anytime you change the dimensions of an image, it affects the resolution. Cropping an image using the crop tool will cause the resolution and pixel dimensions to add more pixels per inch based on the size of the crop region of the image.

2. Resampling the Image

Resampling can be found in the Image Size dialogue box and is on by default. You can uncheck the resampling option in the dialogue box. Resampling allows you to change any values in the Image Size dialogue box, including physical size, resolution, and pixel dimensions.

Resampling will change the number of pixels in an image, displayed as height and width. Increasing the amount of pixels adds data to the image and vice versa; decreasing the number of pixels removes data from the image. Adding or removing data to an image will degrade the overall quality of the image.

3. The Image Was Previously Saved as a GIF

GIFs are normally used on the internet and rarely ever printed. Since GIFs support animation, most images saved in this file format use the animation, which gets lost once printed. GIF format doesn’t save a resolution setting; it uses the default 72 PPI, the standard for screen resolution.

4. Opening the Image Size Dialogue Box

Adobe Photoshop users have noted that after opening an image in the application, simply opening the Image Size dialogue box will change the image resolution, regardless of whether you made the change. You avoid this by steering clear of Image Size or by unchecking the resampling option within the dialogue box.

Regardless of how images open in Photoshop, you have the tools to change the resolution to what you want within the application.

How to Change the Resolution of an Image in Photoshop

If you have an image, you would like to change, or if your resolution has been altered and you would like to put it back to its previous setting, there are five easy steps to accomplishing this in Photoshop. If you don’t want to worry about image resolution, you can use websites like placeit.net to find images and templates for your designs.

Here are the five easy steps to changing the resolution of your image in Photoshop:

1. Open your image in Photoshop
2. Navigate to Choose Image > Image Size
3. Under Dimensions, set the values for width and height
4. Select Resampling and choose an interpolation method
5. Click Ok to resample your resized image

If you want to maintain the original image’s height and width ratio before making alterations, be sure the chain icon linking these proportions is activated. In addition, if your image has multiple layers with styles attached, navigate to the gear icon and select Scale Styles to scale the effects.

Conclusion

Now you know Photoshop’s default resolution settings, why an image might open in 72 PPI, and how to change the resolution in the application at your will. Always check the image size specs before saving your image. If you continue to have issues with Photoshop changing the resolution of your images, reach out to Adobe support for further assistance.

Inkscape is without a doubt one of the best open-source graphic design software available on the market. Unlike other free software like GIMP, Inkscape is able to work with professional-grade vector graphics to create top-of-the-line design projects. Still, even with all that, sometimes you may notice it is taking forever to boot up and load. Why is that? 

Inkscape can take a long time to load because too many nodes, gradients, filters, or displayed layers are being used at the same time and need to be loaded. Depending on your computer’s specs you may want to consider only editing on one layer at a time and using outline mode.  

If you’re having problems with Inkscape taking too long to load, you’ve come to the right place. In our guide below we will outline some of the potential reasons why Inkscape may be taking too long to boot up and load on your computer before diving head first into what you can do to improve its performance. So come along and let’s jump right into it!

Why Does Inkscape Run So Slow?

We touched on the most common reason why Inkscape runs so slow in the previous section. Still, there could potentially be more issues at play here. 

Below we’ve outlined some of the most common reasons why Inkscape either boots up too slow or runs too slow when you get it going: 

1. Too many nodes, gradients, filters, or displayed layers: If you’re using hundreds of nodes, more than ten gradients, too many filters or you’re displaying all of your layers at once, you may be bogging down your system. 
2. Raster images that are embedded: If you have a large raster file it can choke up your memory and cause the program to run slower than it should. 
3. Zooming in too much: If you zoom in super close on a large image file you may find that it significantly slows down the program. 
4. Unnecessary data within the file: Sometimes your file may include what are known  as “unused defs.” These are essentially unnecessary bits of data that are choking up your system. This is likely to be the case if you’ve used the program a lot in the past and only now started to have issues. 

Please note that, as often is the case, you may have multiple of these problems at the same time. Bear that in mind as we take a look at some solutions to these issues in the following section. 

How Can I Make Inkscape Faster? 

So now that we know some of the reasons why Inkscape might be loading and running so slowly, it’s time to figure out what we can do about it. 

Below we’ve listed some of the best strategies to increase the speed at which Inkscape runs:

1. Use only the layer you are working on: One way to boost performance while using Inkscape is to divide your image into both layers and sublayers and only display the layer you are working on at a given time.
2. Get rid of unnecessary nodes: Sometimes you don’t need all of the nodes you have. To bring it down to just what you need, go to preferences, behavior, and finally simplification threshold. Please note, if this oversimplifies your image you may want to try one of the other methods on this list instead. 
3. Use “outline” display mode: To prevent Inkscape from displaying gradients, filters, and embedded raster images while you edit, you can go into the “outline” display mode. To do this, simply go to “view menu”, “display mode” and finally “outline.” 
4. Only engage in extreme zooming when necessary: If you don’t have to zoom in extremely close, then don’t. Only do so when necessary so as to not slow down the program. As soon as you are done with what requires the extreme close up, zoom back out for better performance. 
5. Clean up your document: You can clear up unnecessary data by going to “file menu” and selecting “vacuum defs.” This will get rid of all those unused defs we discussed in the previous section.
6. Upgrade your computer: If all else fails and you really need Inkscape to load faster, you may want to consider upgrading your device. The newer Apple laptops are my favorite choice because they have a ton of processing power in a convenient laptop size. This is a great one but I personally use this one because it’s super-fast.
   

Remember that you should probably try and incorporate multiple of these solutions for the best results as the problem is rarely isolated to one issue. 

So, Why Does Inkscape Take So Long to Load?

Most of the time Inkscape takes a long time to load because of the number of nodes, gradients, filters, and displayed layers it needs to boot up. Additionally, unnecessary data–known as unused defs–can contribute.

You can get around this by only using layers when you need them, using outline mode so the program doesn’t have to load all the gradients/filters to work and regularly cleaning up your document by vacuuming defs.

In the age of online mastery, the font can be a great tool to make your work stand out. Whether it is graphic design or a resume, fonts can change the look altogether. 

Weird font names come from different elements such as the developers name, the historical origin of the font style, or its intended purpose in writing. 

There are several different things to understand about fonts and what you can do to create one. Continue reading to find out more. 

What Are the 4 Major Types of Font?

There are 4 major types of font generally used in online and print media. Each one has its own unique look and style. 

1. Serif

The letters in this font contain serifs which are extra strokes used at the end when writing each individual letter, giving the calligraphy a sort of flourish to it. Serifs were common in Italian Renaissance architecture and were seen as a “Roman” style of writing. The original text printers were a small group of masonic men who created the text backwards (which was seen oddly by those at the time) but once applied to paper it “magically” was correct and readable. Since these men worked late into the night in “secretive” foundries that reeked of ink the people of the time thought of printing as some dark practice and were afraid of it. The text they created needed to be made to look like actual handwriting, hence the serif style. 

2. Sans Serif

This font does not contain any dashes at the end of each individual letter. You can compare this  to Times New Roman to see the difference. This font was first created in 1816 but was not widely recognized until the turn of the century when the consensus was function over form. Because of the wide shift to modernism, print was taken from elaborate and ornate to uniform and geometric. Sans Serif made people think of the future and progress so it was highly used in logos and business signs. 

3. Script

The letters in this font resemble the fluid strokes that you would see in regular handwriting. This is popularly used for display lettering.In the beginning it was thought that script was a gift from the God’s, from Greece to Egypt to China. It became necessary as people began to spread out and needed to get information from one place to another efficiently. This highly affected the trade market as well as it allowed messages to be carried to merchants with orders of what products were needed.

“This art of script would come to produce some of the most meaningful pieces of writing in the history of the world. “ (Worldhistory.org) Examples of some of these writings are The Egyptian Book of the Dead and The Mahabharata of India. 

4. Display 

This font can have extra form to letters throughout the type, adding just a bit of flare. This is usually used on signs or posters as headings. In the beginning of printing, Display printing was not a thing. It came about when people wanted to draw more attention to their events or businesses and signs became a bigger aspect of marketing. The arrival of posters, for things like theaters, pushed display fonts even more into the forefront. Changes began happening for Display fonts around the beginning of the 19th century with the invention of sanspareil matrice. This allowed larger letters to be formed and printed easier. 

How Do Fonts Get Their Names?

Fonts get named by the designer who comes up with and then publishes them. There are criteria that have to be met in order for the design to be published as a font. 

• The font can not already be in use by a typeface
• It has to be both easy to pronounce and and easy to remember
• Uses letters that are signatures (look like the font) of the typeface
• The name has to describe the font’s look and purpose. 
• It has to relate to a style culturally and sometimes you may be asked to reference its historical origins (Greek, Latin, etc.)

Who Comes Up With the Names for Fonts?

The name of the font is created based on the name of the designer and the font’s intended function. For example: Sans Script is based off of the original Script font. Sans means “without” in French meaning that the Sans Script does not have some of the same strokes of the Script font. It is a more clean and modern version of Script. 

Conclusion 

Fonts are a largely used tool and can be quite creative. The font names, stemming from designers name and the fonts function, can be odd but they do have a purpose all their own.

If a font design has been swimming around your creative mind for a bit, follow the steps above and see what you can come up with. Play around with fonts that are already available and see what they can do for your piece, how they change the mood or draw your target audience in.

Inkscape is currently the best open-source program for editing vector graphics. Still, some Mac users have found it difficult to get the program to download and install. If this sounds like you, you’re probably wondering why you can’t get it to download. 

Most of the time, Inkscape won’t download or install on your Mac because your OS requires you to first install the program XQuarts, as well as an older version of Inkscape. This applies to any macOS older than 10.11 (10.7 through 10.11).

If you’re having trouble getting Inkscape to download on your Mac, you’ve come to the right place. In our guide below we will discuss Inkscape’s compatibility with Mac as well as the major reasons why you may have difficulty getting it to download. Additionally, we’ll provide you with a step-by-step guide for downloading and installing the program so you can get started designing!  

Can Inkscape Be Downloaded on Mac?

When Inkscape just won’t seem to download, many people make the mistake of assuming it is wholly incompatible with Macs.

Inkscape can, in fact, be downloaded onto a Mac. It is not currently compatible with iOS, however, it is perfectly compatible with macOS. 

Why Won’t Inkscape Download on Your Mac?

There are several reasons why you might have trouble downloading and installing Inkscape on your Mac. Depending on what the issue is, a different solution may be in order. 

Below we’ve listed the three most common reasons people have  trouble downloading and installing Inkscape on their Mac: 

• You’re downloading the wrong version: You have to make sure that you’re downloading the version of Inkscape for Mac. If you accidentally try to download the version for Windows, it won’t work properly. 
• You need XQuarts for your OS: macOS 10.7 through 10.10 requires you to have the open-source program XQuarts installed before you can get Inkscape. We’ll cover how to do this in the following section on how to install Inkscape on a macOS older than 10.11. 
• Your OS requires an older version of Inkscape: Along with requiring XQuarts, older versions of macOS also require that you use the version of Inkscape 0.92.2 instead of the latest.  

Now that we’ve surveyed the main issues that make it difficult to download or install Inkscape, let’s take a look at the solution. In the next section, we’ll break down how you can download and install Inkscape if your problem is that you’re using a macOS older than 10.11. 

How to Install Inkscape on macOS Older Than 10.11

If you’re using macOS 10.11 or newer, you simply have to visit Inkscapes download page and follow the usual prompts to install it. However, if you’re using an OS older than that (10.7 through 10.10) you will need to follow a more particular process to ensure it downloads and installs correctly. 

Follow the steps below to download and install Inkscape on macOS 10.7 through 10.10:

1. Download and install XQuarts: First things first, you need to visit XQuarts website and download the program onto your computer. Simply follow the prompts and install the program the same way you would with any other. Once XQuarts has been downloaded and installed you’ll want to restart your Mac so that the changes can be applied. 
2. Download Inkscape version 0.92.2 Installer for XQuarts: This is where it is very important that you download the correct version by visiting the page for 0.92.2 instead of 1.0. Near the bottom of the download page, you should see three boxes with different installer options. Pick the first one, labeled “Mac OS X Installer (XQuarts)”. 
3. Pull up the installer in Finder and follow the prompts to install: Now you just need to install the program the way you would any other. Find the installer in the finder, double-click it, and follow the prompts. This time it should work. 

It’s as easy as that. Once the program is installed, you can restart your Mac and try it out. Because you got the right version you should no longer have any issues with it running. 

So Really, Why Can’t You Download Inkscape on Your Mac?

Most of the time the reason you can’t download or install Inkscape is that you’re using the wrong version for your OS. Additionally, your operating system may require that you have XQuarts installed first. 

For macOS 10.11 and newer, Inkscape 1.0 should download and install correctly. However, if you have macOS 10.7 through 10.10, you will need both XQuarts and version 0.92.2 in order for it to install correctly. Feel free to bookmark this page if you feel you may need to follow these steps again in the future!

When it comes to graphic design, most professionals prefer to use a computer over a tablet. While both pieces of equipment have their advantages, there are several influential reasons why a computer is deemed the optimal choice for graphic design work.

Graphic designers use computers over tablets because they have more processing power. Their software and components allow them to support graphically demanding tasks and programs with ease where a tablet would struggle or fail. Granted, the type of computer you have can play a significant role here as well.

In this article, we will discuss why it is important for any individual who is serious about graphic design to have a computer. As you read, you will also learn how different types of computers, such as laptops versus desktops, can affect your graphic design capabilities. We’ll conclude by briefly detailing how tablets can still be useful graphic design tools worth having.

Why You Need a Computer for Graphic Design

Your equipment can have a substantial impact on your life as a graphic designer, especially if this is a professional path you are pursuing. Having the right tools and programs can make all the difference in determining what projects you can create as well as overall speed and efficiency.

While tablets might be a tempting choice for the budget-friendly prices and convenience, most graphic designers will recommend you invest in a computer for graphic design work instead.

Computers are essential for graphic designing because this type of work is extremely demanding of technological resources and, therefore, require a lot of processing power to support multitasking and quick rendering.

The most important factor to consider when trying to determine whether you need a computer or not is the type of software you will be using. If you are planning on using common programs like Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, After Effects, or InDesign, then you will need a computer with specs similar to those listed below.

• Intel or AMD processor with 64-bit support; 2 GHs or faster processor
• 8 to 16 GB RAM
• GPU with DirectX 12 support
• Windows 10 (64-bit) version 1809 or later
• 4 GB of available hard-disk space

Not only is it relatively unheard of for tablets to feature one or more of these specs, but few are capable of installing the aforementioned programs. Instead, you’ll have to rely on downloading apps that will severely limit your graphic designing capabilities.  

Desktop Vs. Laptop for Graphic Design

We recognize that not everyone will think of the same thing when reading the word “computer;” some will picture the desktop tower with monitors while others will picture a laptop. Luckily, both are superior to a tablet when it comes to graphic design, but which is best overall?

The answer to that question is largely depending on you regarding your budget, workstyle, preferred programs, and more.

Arguably the most important factor to consider is the type of work you will be doing. If you are planning on doing any sort of extensive graphic art or video/animation work, or you tend to work for long periods at a time, then you will want a computer.

The predominant reason for this is that desktop towers have more housing space and fan power to keep them cool. Because these are arguably the most resource demanding tasks in all of graphic design, overheating your equipment is a very real risk. Unfortunately, laptop housing is so small that the fan and associated components have to work extremely hard to not only prevent overheating but to also keep up with your graphic design program. However some of the newer Apple MacBook laptops are delivering the power of a desktop computer in the size of a laptop.

Desktop computers are also great for anyone who prioritizes screen size since you can pair them with ultra-wide or even double monitors. While laptops can be connected to external monitors, they’re typically limited to their comparatively small screens.

Where the laptop does shine is convenience, since this is an easily portable piece of equipment that allows you to do graphic design work nearly anywhere. Additionally, they tend to be a bit more budget-friendly than a desktop but on a grand scale, we’d say that desktop are more cost-effective.

Advantages of Using a Tablet for Graphic Design

Tablets are rarely the go-to tool of a graphic designer, but that doesn’t mean you’ll never see a professional in this career wielding a stylus. In fact, many graphic designers praise tablets and their numerous advantages.

Tablets are an exceptional tool for graphic designers who tend to lean more towards graphic art and, therefore, value the freedom that tablets provide when it comes to free-hand drawing. They are also a great budget-friendly, introductory tool for individuals interested in graphic design but can’t afford a sufficient laptop or desktop.

It’s important to note that there are actually different types of tablets you can purchase for graphic design work, and deciding which is best will depend on your tasks and preferences.

Touchscreen Tablet

The standard touchscreen tablet that most people are familiar with are those sold by Apple and Samsung. These are essentially mini laptops that are typically used for basic tasks, such as internet browsing, sending emails, and entertainment.

When it comes to graphic design, these tablets are great for downloading graphic design applications and getting familiar with how common tools and features work. They also give you a portable tool you can use on-the-go, much like a laptop.

Graphics/Drawing Tablet

Arguably the more common type of tablet you’ll see in a graphic design room is a graphics/drawing tablet. These provide complete creative freedom and ease by allowing the user to draw directly on the tablet using a stylus.

Typically, these tablets need to be connected to a computer or laptop, but some feature screens and can operate independently.

Final Thoughts

Choosing the right equipment for your graphic design work is an involved process that requires you to consider what will match your workload, graphic design work, and programs best. Generally, desktop computers are the optimal choice for nearly any graphic design work but having multiple tools can be convenient and useful, however the newer Apple laptops are a good choice too due to their increased power and convenience.

Laptops and touchscreen tablets are excellent portable alternatives while graphic designers who are more artistically inclined might benefit from a graphics/drawing tablet.

If you’re not a graphic designer or photographer, you may not be familiar with the term DPI. DPI stands for “dots per inch” and is a measure of the resolution of an image. The higher the DPI, the higher the resolution, and the sharper the image. You may be wondering what happens when you increase the DPI of an image.

When you increase the DPI of an image, you are essentially increasing the resolution. A higher resolution image will have more detailed pixels, which means that it will appear sharper and more clear than a lower resolution image. However, increasing a low DPI image with image editing software will not make the quality any better.

Additionally, a high-resolution image will take up more space on your hard drive than a low-resolution image. If you’re planning on printing your image, you’ll need to make sure that you have a high-resolution image to ensure that the print is clear and sharp. In this article, we’ll look at what happens when you increase the DPI of an image and several ways you can get a higher-resolution photo or printable.

How Does DPI Affect Image Quality?

DPI is essentially a measure of how many pixels are in an inch. This means that the higher the DPI, the more pixels there are in an inch, and the sharper the image. A lower DPI will result in a coarser image, while a higher DPI will result in a finer image.

DPI will affect image quality by affecting the level of detail in an image. A higher DPI will result in a more detailed image, while a lower DPI will result in a less detailed image. However, increasing the DPI of an image that already has poor resolution may not improve anything.

This is due to the fact that a low-resolution photograph does not provide enough core data to produce high-quality photographs, even if your printer is fast.

DPI is just one factor that affects the quality of an image. The other main factor is the file format. Different file formats have different levels of compression, which means that they will affect the quality of your image in different ways.

For example, a JPEG image is a compressed file format, which means that it will lose some quality when it is saved. A PNG image is an uncompressed file format, which means that it will retain all of its quality when it is saved.

Additionally, DPI affects the file size of an image. A high-resolution image will take up more space on your hard drive than a low-resolution image. 

When Should You Increase the DPI of an Image?

If you’re planning on printing your image, you should make sure that you have a high-resolution image to ensure that the print is clear and sharp. Additionally, if you need a more detailed image for your project, you may want to consider increasing the DPI.

You should increase the DPI of an image when you need a higher quality image. This may be for printing or for a project that requires a more detailed image. If your original image is low-resolution, doing this will not likely increase your image quality.

For prints and other projects, you should try to use an image that is at least 300 DPI. This will ensure that your image is high quality and will print clearly. Depending on the size of your print, you may need to increase the DPI even further. For large prints, you may need an image that is 600 DPI or even 1200 DPI.

You can check the DPI of your image by looking at the properties of the image file. In Windows, you can do this by right-clicking on the image and selecting “Properties.” You should see a section labeled “Details” in the properties window. Under the details, you should see the DPI of your image.

How to Increase the DPI of an Image

It’s important to note that you cannot increase the DPI of an image beyond its original resolution. For example, if you have an image that is 300 DPI, you cannot increase it to 600 DPI. The only way to get a higher resolution image is to start with a high-resolution image. There are a few different ways that you can increase the DPI of an image:

Use an Image Editing Software

If you have an image editing software like Adobe Photoshop, you can increase the DPI of your image by going to Image > Image Size. In the dialogue box that appears, you can enter a new DPI value.

Keep in mind that this will not actually increase the resolution of your image; it will just change the value that is reported when you view the image properties.

• If you’re using Photoshop, you can go to Image > Image Size and change the Resolution setting.
• If you’re using GIMP, you can go to Image > Print Size and change the X and Y Resolution settings.
• If you’re using Microsoft Paint, you can go to Image > Attributes and change the Horizontal Resolution and Vertical Resolution settings.

You can also use an online DPI converter to increase the DPI of your image. Just upload your image and enter the desired DPI.

Resample the Image

Resampling involves changing the number of pixels in your image. When you increase the number of pixels, you are effectively increasing the resolution. However, this process can cause some quality loss, as your image will be interpolated (or stretched).

You can resample your image by going to Image > Image Size in Photoshop. In the dialogue box, make sure that the “Resample” option is checked. Then, you can enter a new width and height for your image.

Take a New Photo

The best way to get a high-resolution image is to start with a high-resolution image. If you have a low-resolution image that you want to use, you can try taking a new photo of the subject.

If you’re using a digital camera, make sure that you set it to the highest resolution possible. You can also scan old photos or images to get a high-resolution version. Just make sure that you scan at a high DPI setting.

Conclusion

DPI is a measure of the resolution of an image. The higher the DPI, the higher the resolution. You should increase the DPI of an image when you need a higher quality image. This may be for printing or for a project that requires a more detailed image.

When you increase the DPI of an image, you are effectively increasing the number of pixels. This can be done in an image editor like Photoshop or GIMP. You can also use an online DPI converter.

The DPI specifications of your phone’s camera can help you adapt to its benefits and limitations. That is because those considerations will ultimately affect the quality of your photos. They can even help you compare the various phone models. However, no phone can reach the same DPI as a dedicated camera.

As of 2022, the highest DPI phone is the Sony Xperia Z5 Premium, with a whopping 801 DPI. Most smartphones on the market hover around 400-500 DPI. Although there is no limit on the maximum DPI a phone can handle, the human eye can only perceive a maximum of 2190 DPI at a 4-inch viewing distance.

However, getting the highest DPI phone may not always be the correct option. Raw pixel count is often a much better indicator of phone picture quality. Therefore, by reading further, you will learn how to evaluate picture count and other popular picture specifications.

The Maximum DPI for Various Phone Brands

Modern phones are marvelous devices. They can do everything your desktop computer can do in a more convenient form. Over the decades, various technologies took advantage of these devices to give numerous consumer innovations including built-in cameras and photo editors. However, despite the continuous development, phones still have their limitations.

For instance, the quality of the photos you can take and edit on your phone is limited to the resolutions of its display screen and camera sensor. Both of these features consist of thousands of small dots called pixels affixed to a grid.

Pixels that run sideways across the screen are called horizontal or X pixels. Those that run up and down are called vertical or Y pixels. The various screen and camera specifications of your phone are just different ways to measure this arrangement including:

• Resolution: The multiplication of the horizontal and vertical pixels such as 320×480, represents the total number of pixels
• Megapixel: Resolution in blocks of a million pixels
• Screen density: Also called dots per inch (DPI) or pixels per inch (PPI), this is the number of pixels in a square inch of screen space

Maximum DPI per Phone Brand

Because more pixels give you sharper images, you generally want a phone with a high screen density. Density determines the size and spacing of the pixels. High density means the phone has numerous incredibly small pixels across its display with full high definition (HD) phones having over 2 million pixels.

The latest phone models all offer screen densities of 400 or more. Some of the higher-end models already approaching 600 DPI, though they are not there yet. Some of the more notable maximum DPI offered include:

• Sony Xperia Z5 Premium – 801 DPI
• Samsung Galaxy S9 – 569 DPI
• Motorola DROID Turbo – 565 DPI
• Google Pixel 3 XL – 537
• LG V20 – 515 DPI
• Apple iPhone XS Max – 485 DPI
• Huawei P20 Lite – 432 DPI
• Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 – 402 DPI

Despite these fine resolutions, we are still nowhere near what experts claim as the maximum possible DPI for a phone, which is around 2190 DPI for a screen held about 4 inches away from the average adult.

How Important are High DPI Phone Displays?

Despite the market emphasis on high DPI, it is not the only way to measure picture quality. For instance, most printers cap out at 300 DPI and still produce breath-taking photo-realistic prints. Your desktop computer or laptop monitor only does around 70. Thus, high DPI might be wonderful, but it is no replacement for raw pixel resolution.

The reason behind this discrepancy is easy to understand. DPI describes the number of pixels in an inch of the screen, but it does not directly describe the size of those pictures. For that, you need the screen resolution, which tells you the total number of pixels available. Because of this, a large display can have a low DPI but still produce great pictures thanks to its higher pixel count.

As such, your device only needs a high enough DPI to match the resolution of human vision, which begins at around 300. Since the true value differs between different people, your best bet is to go with a phone that is “good enough” for you.

However, context also plays a part. Most people will recognize the difference between 300 and 500 DPI, but not between 450 and 550 with diminishing returns beyond that.

The Best DPI is One You Can Change

Fortunately, some phones let you control their DPI setting. While you cannot change the physical pixel sizes, these phones let you combine pixels in software to give the appearance of larger pixels if you need them. That way you can match your viewing experience to match your current needs.

Conclusion

Modern phones offer impressive screen densities of DPI given their small sizes. While they could conceivably reach even higher DPI values, high DPI dos not always translate into great picture quality. It helps but only with the right screen resolution and context.

If your Wacom Pen isn’t properly calibrated, then you’ve likely noticed a series of issues between it and its connected device, such as significant lag in response time and registration inaccuracy to name a few. It’s also possible that you can’t use your Wacom Pen at all if it’s never been calibrated before. The easiest way to resolve this issue would be to calibrate/re-calibrate your Wacom Pen but what can you do if you’re experiencing issues with this process as well?

The most likely reasons why your Wacom Pen won’t calibrate properly are:

1. The calibration process was performed improperly
2. System settings need to be altered
3. Your Wacom Pen or connected device’s software is outdated

In rare cases, you might be attempting to calibrate a damaged Wacom Pen, or the stylus is not compatible with the device you’re using.

In this article, we will walk you through the calibration process for a Wacom Pen to eliminate this possibility as the root cause of your problems. We have also listed a series of troubleshooting options in the event that your calibration/recalibration fails.

How to Recalibrate Your Wacom Pen

Performing the calibration process properly will almost always resolve any calibration issues you might be experiencing with your Wacom Pen.

Typically, you can calibrate your Wacom Pen by entering your system’s settings, selecting your Wacom tool, and then selecting the “calibration” option. Your Wacom Pen should complete its calibration process within several seconds.

This process varies slightly depending on the connected device and Wacom tablet model, which might be a source of confusion. Therefore, to help, we’ve provided a step-by-step guide on how to calibrate your Wacom Pen for both Windows and Mac devices below.

For the sake of this guide, we are assuming you have already setup your Wacom tablet and pen to your Windows or Mac device. If this is not the case, you’ll want to follow the steps provided by Wacom here before proceeding to the guide.

Calibrating a Cintiq Wacom Pen on a Windows Device

Follow the steps listed below if you are attempting to calibrate or recalibrate your Cintiq Wacom Pen on a Windows device.

1. Connect your Wacom tablet and pen to your Windows device
2. Open the “Start” menu
3. Open the “Control Panel”
4. Type “Wacom Tablet Properties” into the search bar
5. Selected your intended pen from the “Tool” list
6. Click the “Calibrate” tab
7. Select the “Cintiq” menu on your monitor
8. Press the “Calibrate” button

1. Click “Ok” when calibration is complete

Calibrating a Cintiq Wacom Pen on a Mac Device

Follow the steps listed below if you are attempting to calibrate or recalibrate your Cintiq Wacom Pen on a Mac device.

1. Connect your Wacom tablet and pen to your Mac device
2. Select the Apple icon
3. Open the “System Preferences” menu
4. Select the “Cintiq” menu on your monitor
5. Click the “Calibrate” button
6. Click the center of the cross hair that appears with your stylus
7. Click the center of the second crosshair that appears in the lower right corner
8. Click “Ok” when calibration is complete

Troubleshooting Options If Calibration/Recalibration Fails

The calibration process listed above for Windows and Mac devices should work for most Wacom pen and tablet models as long as you select the proper menu and tool options.

However, if you find that this calibration process has failed, something might be awry with your system settings or software.

After a failed calibration or recalibration attempt for any Wacom Pen, try these troubleshooting options:

1. Make sure your Wacom Pen is held perpendicular during the calibration process
2. Make sure software for both your tablet and connected device are up to date
3. Restart your Wacom tablet and pen as well as your connected Windows or Mac computer
4. Check your Mapping settings found under Wacom Tablet Properties to ensure Force Proportion is enabled
5. Perform a full reinstallation of your Wacom driver by going to your Backup Settings found in the Wacom Desktop Center

If you find that your Wacom Pen still refuses to calibrate properly, you might want to check your pen and other tools for signs of damage that might be preventing this process from completing successfully.

You’ll also want to confirm that your Wacom Pen is compatible with your Wacom tablet and that your Wacom tablet is compatible with your connected device.

Final Thoughts

Following the calibration steps listed above will almost always resolve and calibration issues you might be experiencing with your Wacom Pen and, if not, the solutions listed in our troubleshooting section should do the trick. If you’ve come this far and still can’t calibrate your Wacom Pen, we recommend reaching out to Wacom about this issue using the link here.