Why is DPI important in design?

DPI, or dots per inch, is crucial in design because it directly affects the resolution of printed images. A higher DPI means more dots of ink are used in each inch of the print, resulting in finer detail and a sharper image. When designing for print, understanding DPI is essential to ensure that the final product meets quality standards, as images with low DPI may appear pixelated or blurry. This knowledge is particularly important when preparing images for different sizes and types of printing, as adjustments in DPI can lead to variations in quality and clarity in the final print.

In contrast, the other options do not accurately capture the primary significance of DPI in design:

• While cost factors can come into play when it comes to printing in high resolution, the DPI itself does not determine printing costs.

• DPI does not standardize template sizes; it is about the quality of the image rather than the dimensions or layouts of templates.

• The regulation of screen brightness is unrelated to DPI; screen brightness might be associated with display settings but does not affect the printed resolution of images.

Thus, the importance of DPI lies fundamentally in its role in determining print quality through resolution.