Imported image is blurry on screen, on pdf and on print

[BeautySchoolDropIn]

Hi there, I am new to indesign. I have imported an infographic that I bought on fotosearch but it is blurry on my indesign page, on the pdf and on print.  I have upgraded to a higher quality image (twice) but same problem. I have many other infographics that don't have that problem. I want the image on my page to be about 66mm x 66mm. What size and ppi should I need? Can anyone help this self-taught newbie? Thanks!

[Derek Cross]

Check out the Effective PPI (Pixels per Inch) of the image, which for Print should be between 200 and 400 PPI. You can find this information in the Links panel.

Given the size of the image you mentioned, it should be around 800 x 800px (2.6 inches x 300).

Ensure you’re viewing your images at the best quality by setting your Display Performace in the View menu to High Quality Display.

[BeautySchoolDropIn]

Thanks Derek, I think I am getting it. I feel like I am buying the wrong image at the start. If the choice is low resolution 1mb 8.2" x 8.2" 72dpi and med resolution 10mb 6.2" x 6.2" @ 300dpi, which is the best one for me? Of course there are many bigger and more expensive choices than those but I only want a small image. thanks for you time.

[Derek Cross]

8.2" divided by 72px = 580px, as I mentioned earlier, the ideal dimensions would be 800px for an image printing at 2.6 inches square.

That is for raster images, as Bob mentioned, infographics are normally supplied as vector graphics, which can be scaled without any loss of quality.

[BobLevine]

In addition to Derek's comments, IMO, infographics should be provided in vector format which would assure they would be sharp at any size.

That said, you've given us nothing to go on.

What version of InDesign? What operating system? How did you create the PDF? What were the export settings? How are you viewing the PDF?

[BeautySchoolDropIn]

Eek. Now you are challenging me. Maybe my infographic is not vector format because I have not had this problem with any others. How do I know if it is?

I am using ID build 12.1.0.56, 2017.1 on  a Mac OS 10.13.2. I created the pdf by exporting my design just on the default settings and am viewing it in Preview.

Funny thing is when I place the image on a word document it is clear.........

[Derek Cross]

Mac Preview is not a good way to view PDFs, use the Adobe Reader.

[BobLevine · Accepted solution]

And PDF/x-4 is the preset you should choose.