Skip to main content
H
happy_Ripple4172
November 29, 2025
Answered

Creating a 72dpi png from a 300dpi psd

  • November 29, 2025
  • 1 reply
  • 276 views

Hello,

 

I was given a psd file for an advertisment for social media at 300dpi (4500pixels x4500 pixels...I need to get it to 1080). I have tried all the methods I can think of to export it at 72dpi without issues but every time there is something wrong with it (e.g. block color borders around images growing slightly, text/logo becoming bolder or moving slightly etc.).

 

I have even tried rebuilding the file in a new 72 dpi file but that doesn't even work (if I turn a logo with text into a smart object then use the free transform tool to downsize it it looks different from the original 300dpi file on export).

 

Is there any way to export the file so that it looks exactly as it does at 300dpi?

 

Thanks

Correct answer D Fosse

Disregard the ppi number, it doesn't apply here. Pixels per inch is a print parameter, irrelevant on screen.

 

This is just pixels. Open Image Size, and resample from 4500 pixels to 1080 pixels. That's it, done. You can also do it directly in the Export dialog or in Save For Web.

 

When you resize from 4500 pixels to 1080 pixels, you lose detail and resolution. It will not and cannot look identical! There is no getting around this fact, and that has nothing to do with Photoshop. It's just a consequence of reducing the number of pixels in the file. Quality will suffer, particularly in text or vector logos. Again, this has nothing to do with Photoshop - however, there are some things you can do to minimize the damage. For instance, instead of resampling text, it may look better to retype at the new smaller size. For images try careful resharpening at the new size.

 

Choose the right resampling algorithm for the purpose. The default is "bicubic automatic", which for reduction is the same as "bicubic sharper". This tends to oversharpen and produce too much artifacts, especially for something like this. I'd recommend "bicubic smoother", which doesn't sharpen, and try some careful manual sharpening instead. Don't overdo it!

 

BTW it is pixels per inch, ppi, not dots per inch, dpi. Dpi applies to ink on paper. The file is pixels.

1 reply

D Fosse
Community Expert
D FosseCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
Community Expert
November 29, 2025

Disregard the ppi number, it doesn't apply here. Pixels per inch is a print parameter, irrelevant on screen.

 

This is just pixels. Open Image Size, and resample from 4500 pixels to 1080 pixels. That's it, done. You can also do it directly in the Export dialog or in Save For Web.

 

When you resize from 4500 pixels to 1080 pixels, you lose detail and resolution. It will not and cannot look identical! There is no getting around this fact, and that has nothing to do with Photoshop. It's just a consequence of reducing the number of pixels in the file. Quality will suffer, particularly in text or vector logos. Again, this has nothing to do with Photoshop - however, there are some things you can do to minimize the damage. For instance, instead of resampling text, it may look better to retype at the new smaller size. For images try careful resharpening at the new size.

 

Choose the right resampling algorithm for the purpose. The default is "bicubic automatic", which for reduction is the same as "bicubic sharper". This tends to oversharpen and produce too much artifacts, especially for something like this. I'd recommend "bicubic smoother", which doesn't sharpen, and try some careful manual sharpening instead. Don't overdo it!

 

BTW it is pixels per inch, ppi, not dots per inch, dpi. Dpi applies to ink on paper. The file is pixels.

    Glenn 8675309
    Glenn 8675309
    Legend
    November 29, 2025

    Better watch out:  People won't like all that silly logic and common sense....

    Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement
    Using the community Terms of use Privacy Cookie preferences Do not sell or share my personal information ad choicesAdChoices