600 DPI Vs 1200 DPI Printer – The Ultimate Comparison Guide (2023)

Are you puzzled about using proper print resolution between 600 DPI Vs 1200 DPI Printer?

Both of these options offer particular benefits and drawbacks in printing or scanning. That’s why printer users get confused when they need to choose one between them. But nothing to worry about. 

From our hands-on experience, we have come up with a comparison article that helps you make a proper choice. We hope this article will resolve your confusion forever and enable you to upgrade your printing experience. 

Let’s start. 

First, you must have in-depth knowledge about different print resolutions and their significance in printing. 

What Is Printer resolution? 

Printer resolution is a measurement of the dot number produced by a printer per square inch of print paper. Its unit is DPI (Dot Per Inch). 

Usually, color dots produce printed texts or images. The higher print resolution refers to the lower use of dots in the printing. It makes the printed tests sharp and bright. That means print resolution plays a crucial role in getting better photos and documents. 

Do you know how the manufacturers portray printer resolution?

Normally, you can find it as 600600 DPI or 12001200 DPI, etc. These measurements indicate the vertical and horizontal number of dots per square inch of paper. Horizontal DPI indicates the dot’s size utilized by Laser when it scans the images side-by-side. 

On the other hand, vertical DPI indicates how quickly a printer can move the photo papers through the engine during its operations. That means a 12001200 DPI printer output will be slower compared to a 1200600 DPI printer output.  

Besides, 600300 DPI, 24001200 DPI, etc, are very common printer resolutions in the printing world.  

1200 DPI Resolution

1200 DPI is an effective print resolution that offers 1200 dots per square inch of paper. It is arguably the best resolution for general offices and specialized devices. This print resolution ensures high quality in text and photo printing.  

Is 1200 DPI Good For a Printer

1200 DPI printers offer numerous benefits in terms of print quality. Their advantageous specifications make them a dependable choice for regular printer users. But is a 1200 DPI really worth it for a printer? 

You need to know the pros and cons of these print resolutions. Then, you can make your decision properly. Let’s find out. 

Pros

  • These printers ensure firm sharpness in photo printing.
  • They offer outstanding print quality.
  • Worthwhile for large-scale photo and text printings. 
  • Color printing is outstanding.
  • Reliable for high-volume printing

Cons

  • 1200 DPI is expensive compared to counterparts offering low resolutions. 
  • Heavy maintenance
  • 1200 DPI printers consume more ink as they produce sharper images. 

Check on Amazon to know the different types and features of 1200 DPI printers. 

600 DPI Resolution

600 DPI means the image contains 600 dots per square inch of photo paper. This resolution is perfect for newbies and hobbyists. Besides, you can apply 600 DPI for small-scale text printing. 

Their economic features enhance their usability to a large extent. Moreover, these printers never burden you with heavy maintenance or ink toner replacement. So, you can conveniently use a 600 DPI printer for small business and domestic applications.  

600 DPI Printer Pros And Cons

Similar to 1200 DPI, you can find some positive and negative features in a 600 DPI printer. Have you any idea about its specifications?

Let’s see.  

Pros

  • Economical
  • Easy maintenance
  • Low ink consumption
  • Effective for text printing

Cons

  • Moderate print quality  
  • color printing is not impressive always
  • Not suitable for high-volume printing

600 DPI Vs 1200 DPI Printer

600 DPI Vs 1200 DPI- Which Factors Need To Consider?

While comparing 600 DPI Vs 12000 DPI Printer, you must consider some factors. You can differentiate these printing options properly if you clearly understand the following factors. 

Everyone prefers a print resolution that offers optimum quality. We hope you are not an exception, aren’t you?

Difference In Print Quality - 600 DPI Vs 1200 DPI Printer

If you focus on print quality, 1200 DPI is the best option. A LaserJet 12001200 DPI printer offers 2 times smaller squares by length and 4 times smaller squares in terms of area. That’s why it can cover the nicer curves more perfectly than a 600 DPI printer. 

Besides, its detailing is amazing. So, there is no compromise on quality. 1200 DPI is outstanding for printing colour photos. You don’t get a top-notch color image through 600 DPI printers.  

So, 1200 DPI is undoubtedly the winner in this case. 

Scan Time

1200 DPI requires more time for scanning compared to a 600 DPI printer. So, if you prefer instant printing with standard quality, you can go for 600 DPI. 

Storage Requirement 

Are you worried about the storage and maintenance of your printer? Do you take these tasks as great hassles?

If positive, 1200 DPI printers won’t be a good option for you. These printers require quality maintenance. Besides, their ink consumption is high. So, you need to change the ink cartridges frequently. 

On the other hand, 600 DPI is more flexible and convenient in terms of storage. 

Photo Vs Text Printing

1200 DPI is useful for printing crispy and colorful images with impressive quality. But 600 DPI is preferable to text printing because of its lack of sharpness in photo printing.  

600 DPI Vs. 1200 DPI Scanning

600 DPI and 1200 DPI offer some distinctive features while scanning a document.  

Usually, a 1200 DPI printer ensures high resolution which leads to higher scanning quality. 

If you are dealing with Grayscales and Halftones images, you can rely on 1200 DPI printers. These printing options provide outstanding quality in these images. 

600 DPI Vs 1200 DPI- Head-to-Head Comparison

A Head-to-Head specification comparison is given here for your better understanding. Let’s have a look. 

Comparison Factor600 DPI Printer1200 DPI Printer
Cost PerformanceCost-effectiveCostly
Print QualityModerateHigh
Color PrintingMedium standardOutstanding
Text CompatibilityOKOK
Photo PrintingModerateImpressive
Scan TimeLowHigh
MaintenanceUser-friendlyHeavy
Use Of InkLowHigh
SharpnessSubstandardGood
UsabilityLimitedVersatile

Now, the decision is up to you. 

 Tips

  • Use a toner that doesn’t bleed much on photo paper
  • Use the right paper considering your print output. 
  • Use monochrome printers for black-and-white documents. 

Final Words

It is clear that 1200 DPI printers deliver higher resolution between 600 DPI vs 1200 DPI printers. If you focus on print and scanning quality, 1200 DPI is the best option for you. 

You can think of a 600 DPI printer for cost minimization in your printing projects. But it would be best if you compromised sharpness in the printed text then. So, it’s up to you now. 

We hope this article can solve the confusing issues between these two printers. 

Happy printing.  

FAQs

  • How Large Can I Print 600 DPI?

600 DPI offers top-class printing in almost 4.7”7.1” dimensions. 

  • Does Higher PPI Mean Better Quality?

Higher PPI or pixel density indicates better detailing of images that lead to getting smooth lines, sharp texts, better fonts, etc. All of these result in ensuring better quality.