How to fix low-resolution (under 300 DPI) images in your book
Updated October 31, 2026 · Amazon KDP · IngramSpark · Barnes & Noble Press · Lulu
A picture that looks sharp on your screen can still print blurry. Printers want 300 DPI, and many programs quietly lower it.
The error: “Image resolution is below 300 DPI”
Image resolution is below 300 DPI
Paraphrased. KDP shows this as a low-resolution image warning in its previewer.
Other ways people search for this error
- “Low resolution image”
- “Image DPI too low”
- “Images below 300 DPI”
Quick fix: SparkPrep scans your cover and interior against the exact platform rules, pinpoints the issue, and fixes it for you with one click.
Why you get “Image resolution is below 300 DPI”
DPI (dots per inch) is how much detail an image has for its printed size. Screens need about 72 to 150. Print needs 300 DPI at the size the picture appears in the book.
So a 1200 x 1800 pixel photo is sharp printed at 4" x 6", but blurry stretched across a full 6" x 9" page. Word and some PDF tools also shrink images when saving, which drops a good picture below 300.
How to fix “Image resolution is below 300 DPI” manually (the hard way)
If you want to try adjusting the files yourself, here are the steps you need to follow:
- Open your original file and find every picture.
- For each one, divide its width in pixels by its printed width in inches. Under 300 means it will print soft or blurry.
- Replace it with a bigger original, or make it smaller on the page. Stretching it bigger in Word or Canva doesn't add detail.
- Turn off image compression before you export (Word: File → Options → Advanced → "Do not compress images in file"), then re-export the PDF.
- Re-upload it to your printer and wait for the file review again. If it fails, you start over.
Step by step in your app
Check the math
- Pixels needed = inches x 300. A full 6.125" x 9.25" cover with bleed needs about 1838 x 2775 pixels.
- If your image is smaller than that, get a bigger version from the original source.
Microsoft Word
- File → Options → Advanced → Image Size and Quality.
- Tick Do not compress images in file and set Default resolution to High fidelity.
- Re-insert the original images, then save as PDF.
Canva
- Download as PDF Print, not PDF Standard.
- Don't stretch a small photo to fill a large area.
Adobe InDesign
- Window → Links shows each image's Effective PPI. Aim for 300 or more.
- When exporting, under Compression, don't downsample below 300.
You can fix this by hand with the steps above. Or drop your file into SparkPrep and let it find the problem and fix it for you, in minutes. Try it on your file.
How to fix it instantly (the SparkPrep way)
If you don't have expensive design software, or you just want to get your book published without the headache, let SparkPrep handle it.
SparkPrep was built by a self-published author whose own book was rejected 18 times. It checks your files against the exact print rules Amazon KDP, IngramSpark, Barnes & Noble Press and Lulu publish.
When you upload your file to SparkPrep:
- We automatically scan for page size, bleed, spine width, safety margins, ink coverage and embedded fonts.
- We explain any hidden errors in plain English.
- We fix what can be fixed automatically, tell you exactly what's left, and export a print-ready PDF/X-1a, checked again before you download it.
Stop fighting the bots. Drop your file into SparkPrep today and get back to marketing your book!
Fix my imagesWhat it costs to get this fixed
| Hire a professional cover designer and interior formatter | SparkPrep | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | About $930 for the cover plus about $800 for the inside pages: around $1,730 | One price per book for the cover, the inside pages, or both |
| Time | Book a freelancer, wait for their schedule, then go back and forth on changes | Upload and get your fixed, print-ready files in minutes |
| Printer check | Depends on the freelancer | Checked against your printer's own rules, every time |
Freelancer prices are Reedsy's own published figures (source). A great designer is worth it for original artwork. If you just need your files right for the printer, you don't need to pay designer prices.
Quick answers
What DPI do I need for a printed book?
300 DPI at the size the image is printed. Lower resolution prints soft or pixelated.
How many pixels for a 6x9 book cover?
At 300 DPI, the front alone with bleed needs about 1838 by 2775 pixels. The full wrap is wider because it includes the back and spine.
More guides
- RGB vs CMYK for book covers: what printers want and how to convert
- How to fix "RGB or color content found in a black and white interior"
- How to fix "ink coverage exceeds 240%" (IngramSpark)
- How to fix "PDF contains transparency or layers"
- All guides
SparkPrep is an independent tool and is not affiliated with Amazon KDP, IngramSpark, Barnes & Noble Press or Lulu.