Artboard/image/document sizing issue

[TRComposer]

Trying to make a large document for blueprint/graph printing.

Document is set to 300 ppi at (7,200px x 20,100px), which should be = to (24" x 67")

but adobe seems to be keeping the ratio of 72 ppi for sizing even though i've set the document to 300ppi

making the document = (100" x 279.17") total

what am I missing?

[Ton Frederiks · Accepted solution]

The 300 ppi setting is only used to calculate raster effects.

Illustrator is a resolution independent vector application that assumes a pixel to be the size of 1/72 of an inch.

Resolution is only metadata. If you want to keep the 7,200px x 20,100px, just export at 72 ppi (or use PDF for printing).

[TRComposer]

*facepalm . . . raster thats right.

So if I want to print a series of graphs as a physical 24in x 67in (2ft x 5ft7in) printout I would create in illustrator using 72ppi and export as pdf. And since pdf's are vector/raster

I could print using 300dpi on the printer and the quality would be ok? How does 72ppi as raster translate to pdf as a digital file?

[Ton Frederiks]

You. probably know the difference between vectors and bitmaps. Illustrator objects do not have a resolution, so if you print to a 300 dpi printer or send it to a 1200 dpi printer, that's what you get, the best quality these devices can give.

The resolution setting you are talking about is only used if you are using raster effects.

[TRComposer]

Thanks so much. I dont know difference between vector and bitmap other than what I just googled, location vs color. but I dont know what raster effects are. This is a basic blueprint/graph black and white print. I am loving illustrator though so once I get into more complicated territory I'll see what I can find about resolution settings for raster effect . . . after i find out what raster effects are XD