DPI Guide: Understanding 72 vs 300 DPI for Print & Passports

What is DPI and How Does It Affect Digital Files?

DPI stands for Dots Per Inch. It is a printing metadata parameter that tells physical printers how densely to lay ink drops across a physical square inch of paper. DPI does NOT alter digital screen pixel dimensions.

72 DPI vs 150 DPI vs 300 DPI Standards

Common resolution density benchmarks:

• 72 DPI: Traditional web and monitor screen display density.
• 150 DPI: Standard office document and draft printing.
• 300 DPI: High-definition commercial press printing, passport photos, and magazines.

Why Passport Portals Require 300 DPI

Biometric state passport scanners verify facial geometry at high physical print density. Uploading a photo with 300 DPI metadata ensures automated facial recognition scanners parse dimensions accurately.