DPI
DPI (Dots Per Inch) is a measure of how detailed or clear an image is when printed or displayed digitally. Think of it like the number of tiny dots that make up one inch of an image - the more dots, the sharper and clearer the image looks. In book illustration and publishing, DPI is very important because it determines how professional and high-quality artwork will look when printed. Publishers typically ask for images to be 300 DPI or higher for print-quality work. It's similar to image resolution or print resolution, which are other terms you might see in job descriptions.
Examples in Resumes
Created children's book illustrations at DPI standards required for professional publishing
Delivered all artwork at 300 DPI for print-ready production
Managed digital art workflow ensuring all illustrations met required DPI specifications
Typical job title: "Book Illustrators"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find Book Illustrators
Professional Organizations
Online Communities
Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: How do you ensure artwork meets different DPI requirements for various publishing formats?
Expected Answer: Should explain experience managing artwork for different formats (print books, ebooks, merchandise) and understanding how to prepare files at appropriate resolutions for each use case.
Q: How do you handle DPI requirements when working with mixed media or traditional art that needs to be digitized?
Expected Answer: Should discuss scanning techniques, digital conversion processes, and maintaining quality standards when combining traditional and digital artwork.
Mid Level Questions
Q: What DPI settings do you typically use for print-ready illustrations?
Expected Answer: Should know standard print requirements (typically 300 DPI for books) and explain how they adjust artwork size and resolution accordingly.
Q: How do you manage file sizes while maintaining high DPI for detailed illustrations?
Expected Answer: Should explain practical approaches to balancing file size with quality, and methods for organizing high-resolution files for publishers.
Junior Level Questions
Q: What does DPI mean and why is it important in book illustration?
Expected Answer: Should understand that DPI means dots per inch and explains image quality, and know that higher DPI is needed for professional print publishing.
Q: How do you check the DPI of your artwork?
Expected Answer: Should be able to explain basic methods of checking image resolution in common illustration software and understand minimum requirements for print.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-2 years)
- Basic understanding of DPI requirements
- Creating simple illustrations at correct print resolution
- Using standard illustration software
- Following publishing guidelines
Mid (2-5 years)
- Managing multiple file formats and resolutions
- Preparing print-ready artwork
- Understanding different publishing requirements
- Efficient file organization systems
Senior (5+ years)
- Advanced resolution management across platforms
- Training others on technical requirements
- Establishing quality control processes
- Solving complex resolution issues
Red Flags to Watch For
- Doesn't understand basic print resolution requirements
- Submits low-resolution artwork for print projects
- Unable to explain difference between screen and print resolution
- No knowledge of industry-standard DPI requirements
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