Which factor is most closely tied to the quality of a printed digital image?

The quality of a printed digital image is most closely tied to DPI (dots per inch) because this measurement directly relates to the resolution of the image during the printing process. A higher DPI indicates that more dots of ink are used to create the image, resulting in greater detail and clarity. When an image is printed, the DPI determines how smoothly different colors blend and how well fine details are represented.

In contrast, color saturation, while important for the vibrancy of the printed image, does not directly affect the resolution or detail. File compression affects the overall file size and can sometimes lead to a loss of quality, particularly if a high degree of compression is applied, but it is primarily a function of storage and transmission rather than the actual printing quality. Screen resolution pertains to how an image is displayed on a screen, which is important for digital viewing but does not impact the final print quality itself. Therefore, DPI is the crucial factor when it comes to the quality of printed digital images.