Is DPI the same as PPI?

Strictly, PPI describes pixels in a digital image and DPI describes printer dots. In textile design the terms are used interchangeably for file resolution.

Can I just change the DPI in Photoshop to 300?

Changing DPI without resampling only changes the printed size. To get more detail at the same size you need more pixels, ideally from the original artwork.

What happens below 150 DPI?

Edges can look soft or stepped, especially on smooth fabrics. Bold, large-scale designs tolerate lower DPI better than fine line work.

Fabric DPI Calculator

Find the effective DPI of a design at its printed size, how large it prints at a given DPI, or how many pixels you need — in centimetres or inches.

How to use the Fabric DPI Calculator

Choose what you want to find: effective DPI, print size or pixels needed.
Enter the values you know.
Switch between centimetres and inches at any time.
Read the quality rating and guidance for fabric printing.

DPI, explained in one formula

DPI (dots per inch — strictly PPI, pixels per inch, for digital files) links pixels to physical size:

DPI = pixels ÷ inches and inches = centimetres ÷ 2.54.

A 3,000-pixel-wide repeat printed 25.4 cm (10 inches) wide has an effective resolution of 300 DPI. Printed 50.8 cm wide, the same file drops to 150 DPI.

Worked examples

Artwork	Printed width	Effective DPI
3,600 px	30.48 cm (12″)	300
3,600 px	60.96 cm (24″)	150
1,800 px	30.48 cm (12″)	150

What DPI do fabric printers need?

Many digital textile and print-on-demand services work at 150 DPI, while fine-detail work on silk or cotton lawn benefits from 300 DPI. Always check your printer’s specification — and remember that the number stored in the file does not change quality; only the pixel count relative to the print size does.