The number of individual dots that a printer can print on an inch of paper. The greater the number of dots, the smaller each must be. This means the printer is capable of producing sharper and clearer the text and graphics. A laser printer can normally print 300 dots per inch both vertically and horizontally. Some bubblejet printers can manage 360 dots per inch horizontally, but only 200 vertically. 


High-resolution laser printers use a variety of techniques to increase the apparent number of dots per inch. For the best quality printed output, pick a laser printer with a resolution of 600 dots per inch. Some laser printers use tiny dots in between the main dots to smooth edges and jagged curves, giving even crisper print-outs.