DPI, pixels and the size of your print
A large pixel count and a large print are not the same thing. The useful question is how much image detail will fit into each centimetre or inch of the finished map.
DPI connects detail with a physical size
DPI means dots per inch. For an image file, pixels per inch is the more precise term for how densely its pixels are arranged on a print; DPI is the label used in Cartivale’s export options. The file’s width and height in pixels describe how much image information it contains. The physical dimensions describe how large you intend to print it.
At the same physical size, 300 DPI gives twice as many pixels along each edge as 150 DPI, and four times as many pixels overall. That gives fine roads and small lettering more detail to work with. It does not guarantee that every printer or paper will show the same result.
Compare the same size, not two different maps
| Output | Pixels along each side |
|---|---|
| Free · 150 DPI | 1500 pixels |
| Print Ready · 300 DPI | 3000 pixels |
The physical size is identical in both rows. The denser image has more pixels to describe the same lines and shapes. This is an illustration of the relationship, not a requirement to choose a square canvas.
What happens when you enlarge a PNG?
Printing the same raster file at twice its original width and height halves the number of pixels per inch. Edges and small text may look softer at close range. Upscaling can add calculated pixels, but it cannot recreate the original geographic or lettering detail that was not in the file.
Use Free at 150 DPI to try a personal image. For a detailed print, the paid packages provide 300 DPI at your chosen size. Download the actual output file; a browser screenshot or a small website preview is not a substitute.
Vector paths follow a different rule
SVG describes vector paths rather than fixing every edge to a pixel grid. Those paths can scale cleanly, although embedded textures and some effects still depend on raster detail. PDF and SVG preserve the physical dimensions chosen in Cartivale. Neither file type removes the need to check tiny text, image effects and printer settings at the final size.