DPI - Doesn't Really Matter

Sometimes people confuse 
DPI (Dots Per Inch) and 
PPI (Pixels Per Inch)

When talking about the inking of prints DPI means Dots Per Inch. Just to make everyone confused DPI is also sometimes used to refer to Pixels Per Inch.


To be technically correct we should really refer to resolution as PPI or px/inch or px/cm. The DPI of an image is not what makes the quality of a print. The resolution quality of an image is its pixels (megapixels).



Here are some factors that effect the quality of an image:

1. The size (pixels) - higher is better

2. The quality of the recording device (like a camera’s optics and sensors)

3. The file format it is stored in

4. The technical proficiency of the photographer

There can be many other factors.



If the number of pixels do not change in image editing software, it really doesn’t matter what the DPI/PPI is set to. It won’t change the quality of the image. Some printers will only accept a resolution between 200 and 300 in order for it to believe the image is of photographic quality.

So again, if the number of pixels of an image do not change, then it has the same digital resolution no matter what number is parked in the DPI/PPI setting of the photo.

Scanning a photo and DPI:

If you need to print a 4x6 photo at it's original size, you would scan it at 300 DPI. If you need to print it at a larger size, like an 8x10 photo, you would need to scan it at 600 DPI.
Keep in mind not all devices are capable of doing this.

Meeting Print Shop demands:

Using the 300 PPI criteria, if the image is to be printed 7 inches in size, then your digital image has to be a minimum of 2,100 pixels in that dimension (2100 pixels / 300 PPI = 7 inches)

Print shops and designers need to be careful not to reject a perfectly suitable photo because the DPI/PPI setting in the photo is not 300. A photo that is 1500 x 2100 pixels in size with a DPI/PPI setting of 72 (the default in most digital cameras) will print to 5" x 7" at 300 PPI. Putting it another way, at 5" x 7" it is a 300 PPI photo (no matter what the internal DPI/PPI setting is).

I hope this helps you to understand the often confused meaning of DPI/PPI

Images used can be found at iCLIPART.com

Clipart ID: #1195250
Clipart ID: #1042137
Clipart ID: #547946 
Clipart ID: #733

Is it a Time of Year You Enjoy or Dread? Valentine's Day

 Valentine's Day

The holiday is said to have origins in the Roman festival of Lupercalia, held in mid-February. At the end of the 5th century, Pope Gelasius I, replaced Lupercalia with St. Valentine's Day. It came to be celebrated as a day of romance from about the 14th century.

The Catholic Church recognizes at least three different saints named Valentine or Valentinus, all of whom were martyred. One legend claims that Valentine was a priest who served during the third century in Rome. When Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families, he outlawed marriage for young men. Valentine, realizing the injustice of the decree, defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret. When Valentine’s actions were discovered, Claudius ordered that he be put to death.


Other stories suggest that Valentine may have been killed for attempting to help Christians escape harsh Roman prisons. According to one legend, an imprisoned Valentine actually sent the first “valentine” greeting himself after he fell in love with a young girl who visited him during his confinement. Before his death, it is alleged that he wrote her a letter signed “From your Valentine,” an expression that is still in use today.




Valentines Day is typically celebrated in Canada, Mexico, United Kingdom, France, Australia and the United states.


Did you know? Americans are expected to spend over $1 billion on cards, making Valentine's Day the second most popular card-sending holiday after Christmas.


The exchange of hand-made Valentines has been popular by Americans since the early 1700’s.

Check out these great clipart images from iCLIPART.com for class projects, handmade Valentine's, and adding that personal to touch to your gifts or cards: 
Valentine Clipart




Despite some of the difficulties associated with Valentine's Day in schools, parents and teachers have continued to carry on the tradition for their children.

It can be hard for children to understand that we should love everyone and that there are different kinds of love. Making it clear Valentine's Day can be about other types of relationships is helpful. Love isn't equal in the world. We all love different people differently and that's okay, and acceptable.  I think that as long as Valentine's Day cards are portrayed more of a friendship or caring type of thing rather than love love, then I think that helps.

If you are one of the many people who dislike the holiday because perhaps you're currently single or recently went through a bad breakup. Here are some ideas to help pass the day:

     * Stay away from social media

* Treat yourself to a movie 

    * Treat yourself to a manicure

      * Take your mom out to dinner

"If I could choose to have one superpower, 

I would want to be able to make everyone love everyone"  

- Betsey Johnson

iCLIPART.com Image ID #'s:
Clipart ID: #1336304
Clipart ID: #1531962
Clipart ID: #285639
Clipart ID: #1057091
Clipart ID: #663385 

January 2019 - Tips to Make Life a Little More Organized

"A time to say goodbye and a time to say hello. A time to bid farewell and a time to look forward. A time to let go and a time to learn new things, that is what happens when the New Year rings in." 
- Catherine Pulsifer

I've put together some simple tips to make life a little more organized.

Some might look at them as "resolutions" but I think it makes good sense, year round, to get a little more organized from time to time.



1. One in - two out rule!

This time of year is perfect for this rule.
For each new item you received as a gift or purchased for the home, find two things around the house that you don't use or need and get rid of it! This can apply to any time of the year but this time of year is great for reducing your holiday decorations and décor anything you didn't use this year, you probably won't use next year.

Remember to donate or create a yard sale bin - if you price them now, you just have to pull it out when you're ready to have the yard sale.

2. Labels

If you have a hard time getting family members to put things where they belong, labels are a great way to organize and help family members keep things organized.  Shelves, boxes and totes are great places to add labels. It makes it easier for putting things away and for finding them later.


Check out these great tags and labels from iCLIPART.com : TAGS AND LABELS




3. Schedule

To make organizing easier, especially for the kids helping out, make a schedule of when you do what:

Laundry is Thursday nights; bathrooms are Saturday mornings; trash is Tuesday nights etc.

Even if you get off track throughout the year, a posted schedule makes it easier to get back to it.




4. Make time for YOU!

If you find time to be good to yourself, you will benefit in all areas of your life. You are no good to family, friends and co-workers if you are run down. Make time for you as part of your "organizing".

“Caring for your body, mind, and spirit is your greatest and grandest responsibility. It's about listening to the needs of your soul and then honouring them.”

- Kristi Ling

iCLIPART.com contains over 8 million royalty-free clipart images, photos, web graphics, animations, fonts and sounds. Subscribe today and receive access to this amazing collection!

Image 1: iCLIPART.com ID: #1051118
Image 2: iCLIPART.com ID: #1782387
Image 3: iCLIPART.com ID: # 670245