TASTER ARTICLE

What is a hi-res image?

High Res (resolution) images are required for sharp reproduction in print. If low res images are used the printing quality is very poor. Pictures should be taken at the highest resolution setting on the camera. Logos should be created as vector graphics (created in software such as illustrator)

Image usage:

Printed sample images in low and high res:

 Low resolution photo

Any pictures found on the web are low resolution and not suitable for print quality

A picture that is low-resolution cannot be made into a high resolution photo

The larger the dimensions get the worse the pixelation will get

 High resolution photo

A high resolution picture is determined by its number of pixels; more pixels improves the sharpness of the picture.

This is print quality

Helpful notes:

Bitmap Images

‘Bitmap’ - This is an image made up of pixels. (a .bmp file)

‘Pixelated’ - This means stretched pixels.

A bitmap is a type of memory organization or image file format used to store digital images. The term bitmap comes from the computer programming terminology, meaning just a map of bits, a spatially mapped array of bits. Now, along with pixmap, it commonly refers to the similar concept of a spatially mapped array of pixels.

Besides BMP, most other image file formats, such as JPEG, TIFF, PNG, and GIF, also store bitmap images (as opposed to vector graphics), but they are not usually referred to as bitmaps, since they use compressed formats internally.

The amount of space a picture takes up on your computer and how long it takes to email is determined by the picture’s file size. The more pixels a picture has, the larger its file size will be. 

Vector graphics

‘Vector’ - This is a graphic made up of mathematicals angles. 

Vector graphics is the use of geometrical primitives such as points, lines, curves, and shapes or polygon(s), which are all based on mathematical expressions, to represent images in computer graphics. “Vector”, in this context, implies more than a straight line.

Vector graphics is based on images made up of vectors (also called paths, or strokes) which lead through locations called control points. Each of these points has a definite position on the x and y axes of the work plan. Each point, as well, is a variety of database, including the location of the point in the work space and the direction of the vector (which is what defines the direction of the track). Each track can be assigned a color, a shape, a thickness and also a fill. This does not affect the size of the files in a substantial way because all information resides in the structure; it describes how to draw the vector.

There are instances when working with vector tools and formats is the best practice, and instances when working with raster tools and formats is the best practice. There are times when both formats come together. An understanding of the advantages and limitations of each technology and the relationship between them is most likely to result in efficient and effective use of tools.