TLDR
Blurry proxies almost always come from low-res sources or printing with scaling.
300 PPI at final size is the baseline, but only if the source actually has that many pixels.
JPG compression can wreck text edges fast.
Fix the root cause once, not five times.
If you’re thinking “my proxies look blurry,” you’re not alone. Print is unforgiving. It’s basically a spotlight pointed directly at your file quality.
Here are the five most common causes, plus fixes that don’t require buying a new printer out of spite.
1) Low-resolution source images
If your source image is small, printing it at card size forces the pixels to stretch. That creates soft text and mushy details.
Fix
Start with higher-resolution images.
For MTG trim size at 300 PPI, you want at least 750 x 1050 px per card.
2) You scaled the image up in your layout
Even if the image started “pretty decent,” scaling it up in Photoshop, Word, or a PDF editor can push it past its real resolution.
Fix
In your layout app, check the effective resolution at placed size.
Don’t enlarge beyond the native pixel dimensions.
3) You exported a “web” file, not a print file
Common failure modes:
exporting a PDF with downsampling turned on,
exporting JPG at medium quality,
using “smallest file size” presets.
Fix
Export for print quality.
Avoid aggressive compression.
If text exists, keep it as text in a PDF when possible (vector stays crisp).
4) Your print dialog scaled the page
This one is sneaky because it looks “almost right.”
If your print dialog uses:
“Fit to page”
“Shrink to printable area”
…your printer can shrink your content and soften it. Sometimes it also changes how your layout lands on the paper, which helps blur plus cutting issues happen together.
Fix
Print at 100% / Actual size
Disable all scaling options
5) Paper and printer settings are working against you
Cheap paper can:
absorb ink and soften edges,
cause dot gain (blacks spread slightly),
make fine details look less crisp.
Draft printer settings do the same thing, faster.
Fix
Use the correct paper setting in your printer driver (so ink density matches).
Print at high quality.
Let ink dry before handling or cutting.
If you want a full workflow reference:
A fast troubleshooting flow
Text blurry, art ok: export/compression issue, or text was rasterized low.
Everything blurry: low-res sources or draft printing settings.
Only some cards blurry: mixed source quality in your decklist assets.
FAQs
Why do my proxies look blurry even at 300 DPI?
Because “300” only matters if the image actually has enough pixels. A low-res image labeled “300 DPI” is still low-res.
Will converting JPG to PNG fix blur?
No. You can’t regain detail that compression already threw away. It only prevents further loss.
Does lamination make cards look blurry?
It can add glare and soften contrast slightly, but it usually isn’t the main cause of fuzzy text.
What’s the easiest single fix?
Use higher-resolution sources and print at 100% scaling. That alone solves most cases.
Should I print at 600 DPI to fix blur?
Only if your sources support it. Otherwise it’s just larger blur.