PHOTO PREPARATION GUIDE · RASTERGO
Choosing a DPI for laser engraving photos
Updated October 2026 · Free browser tool · photos stay on your device
DPI sets how many pixels represent each inch of the physical image. Match the image DPI to the interval your laser software will use, then check that the pixel dimensions stay within what your machine and file size can handle.
What DPI controls here
DPI decides the resolution of the exported PNG for a fixed physical size. A 100 mm square image at 300 DPI is about 1181 pixels per side; at 600 DPI it is about 2362. The physical size does not change — only how much detail the file can hold.
Choosing a value
- Start from the interval or DPI setting you will use in the laser software; mismatched values cause resampling.
- Higher DPI means more pixels, larger files and longer processing with diminishing returns on coarse materials.
- Upscaling cannot restore detail the original photo does not contain. A 400 px source will not gain real detail at 600 DPI.
Check before you export
- Set millimetres first, then DPI, and read the resulting pixel size.
- Confirm the laser software reports the same physical width and height after import.
- Compare the prepared image against the original at 100% zoom.
RasterGo prepares image files in your browser. Material previews are labelled digital simulations, not photographs of engraved pieces, and no power, speed or physical result is promised.