Fax Quality and Resolution: Fine vs Standard

Why Document Quality Matters for Fax

Fax technology transmits documents as images. Unlike email attachments where the recipient gets your exact file, fax converts each page into a scanned image. This means document formatting, contrast, and resolution directly affect how readable your fax will be on the other end.

A poorly prepared document can arrive with unreadable text, missing details, or cropped content, potentially causing delays, rejected submissions, or miscommunication. Taking a few minutes to optimize your document before sending can save significant time and frustration.

Choose the Right File Format

The format you upload matters. Here's what works best:

• PDF (recommended): Preserves layout, fonts, and formatting. Produces the clearest fax output. Check our file formats guide for details.
• Word documents: Work well but are converted to PDF before faxing. Use our Word to PDF converter if you want to preview the result first.
• Images (PNG, JPG): Suitable for scanned documents. Use high resolution (300 DPI) for best results.

Understanding Resolution and DPI

Fax resolution is set by the sending side, and there are three common modes:

Mode	Resolution	Good for
Standard	204 x 98 DPI	Large, plain typed text. Small print and signatures look rough.
Fine	204 x 196 DPI	Most documents: forms, contracts, small print, signatures.
Superfine	204 x 391 DPI	Detailed drawings and very small text, if both machines support it. Pages take longer to send.

Fine is twice the vertical resolution of standard, and it is the difference you notice most on small text. Many desk fax machines still default to standard, so switch to fine before faxing anything with small print. unofax sends every fax in fine mode; there is no setting to forget.

When preparing your document, resolution matters most for scanned images and photographs. A scan at 150 DPI may look acceptable on screen but will appear blurry or pixelated when transmitted by fax. For reliable quality, always scan at 300 DPI or higher. The fax system will downsample to the appropriate resolution, but starting with a high-quality source ensures the best possible output.

For digitally created documents (PDFs from Word, spreadsheets, or design software), resolution is less of a concern because these are rendered from vector data. The main factors are font size, contrast, and layout, which are covered in the next section.

What Is a Fax Header?

The fax header is the thin line of text printed across the very top of each received page: usually the sender's name or fax number, the date and time, and the page number (for example "Page 2 of 5"). In the US, the Telephone Consumer Protection Act requires every fax to carry the date and time it was sent, who sent it and their fax number, in the top or bottom margin, which is why the header exists.

The header is added during transmission and can print over whatever sits in the top half inch of your page. Keep that strip empty, and don't confuse the header with the fax cover sheet, which is a separate first page you write yourself.

Optimize Text and Layout

For the clearest fax output:

• Use standard fonts: Arial, Times New Roman, and other common fonts at 11pt or larger reproduce well.
• High contrast: Black text on a white background is ideal. Avoid colored text, especially light colors like yellow or light gray.
• Simple layouts: Single-column layouts transmit better than complex multi-column designs.
• Adequate margins: Leave at least 1-inch (2.5 cm) margins. Some fax machines crop the edges slightly.

Common Problems and How to Avoid Them

Certain document features that look fine on screen translate poorly to fax. Watch out for these common issues:

• Light or colored text: Gray text, light blue links, or colored headings can become invisible or unreadable when converted to the black-and-white fax format. Convert all text to black before sending.
• Colored or shaded backgrounds: A document with a light gray background or colored sections will produce a noisy, hard-to-read fax. Remove background colors and shading.
• Watermarks: Semi-transparent watermarks can interfere with text readability once the document is converted to a fax image. Remove watermarks or ensure they are very faint.
• Headers and footers near the edge: Content placed in the very top or bottom margin may be cropped by the receiving fax machine. Move important headers or page numbers at least 1 inch (2.5 cm) from the edge.
• Small text and fine details: Footnotes, fine print, or text below 9pt may become illegible. If small text is essential, consider increasing the font size or placing the information in the main body.
• Complex graphics and charts: Detailed graphs, photographs, and illustrations lose quality in fax transmission. Simplify graphics where possible, or use bold lines and high contrast to preserve readability.

Scanning Physical Documents

If you need to fax a physical document like a signed form, a handwritten letter, or a printed page, you'll need to scan it first. For a detailed walkthrough with screenshots, see our scan document guide.

Here are the key tips for getting a clean scan:

• Use a flatbed scanner if available: Flatbed scanners produce the most consistent results with even lighting and no distortion.
• Phone camera scanning: If you don't have a scanner, your phone's built-in document scanning feature works well. On iPhone, open the Notes app and choose "Scan Documents." On Android, use Google Drive's scan feature. These tools automatically detect edges, correct perspective, and enhance contrast.
• Alignment matters: Place the document flat and straight. Skewed scans are harder to read and waste page space. Most phone scanning apps offer automatic alignment correction.
• Lighting: Scan in a well-lit area with even lighting. Avoid shadows falling across the document. Natural daylight or overhead lighting works best. Avoid angled desk lamps that create shadows.
• Save as PDF: Always save your scan as a PDF rather than JPG. PDF preserves quality better and is the recommended format for fax. Check our file formats guide for details.

Use a Cover Sheet

A fax cover sheet serves as the first page and provides context for your document. It identifies the sender and recipient, states the number of pages, and can include handling instructions. Using a cover sheet is standard practice and helps ensure your fax reaches the right person.

Handling Multi-Page Documents

Fax transmits one page at a time. For long documents:

• Number your pages clearly
• Include a page count on the cover sheet
• Keep total pages reasonable, since very long faxes are more likely to encounter transmission issues
• Consider splitting large submissions into separate faxes with clear labels

Test Before Sending Important Faxes

If you're sending a critical document, consider doing a test fax first. This lets you verify that the layout, readability, and page count are correct before the real transmission. With online fax, you can preview your document before sending.

Quick Checklist

Before you hit send, run through this checklist:

• Document is in PDF format (or converted from Word using our converter)
• All text is black on a white background
• Font size is 11pt or larger
• Margins are at least 1 inch (2.5 cm) on all sides
• No colored backgrounds, watermarks, or shading
• Scanned images are at least 300 DPI
• Pages are numbered and a cover sheet is included
• Recipient fax number is correct and includes the country code

Following these steps ensures your fax arrives clearly and completely. For more guidance, check our guide to sending fax online or view pricing details for your destination country.