How do I change the system-wide figure resolution in Matlab using startup script file?

I wanted to implement the figure resolution of 300 dpi system-wide in Matlab so that any figure I generate can be exported in 300 dpi automatically without manually changing the resolution in 'Export Setup' option. I have created the startup file that implements the other settings I want but not this one!

Here's my startup file:

% set(0, 'DefaultFigureRenderer', 'painters'); 
set(0, 'DefaultFigurePaperUnits', 'inches'); 
set(0, 'DefaultFigurePaperPositionMode', 'manual');
set(0, 'DefaultFigurePaperPosition', [0 0 20 11.25]); 
set(0, 'DefaultTextInterpreter','latex');
set(0, 'DefaultTextFontSize',16);
set(0, 'DefaultAxesFontSize',16);
set(0, 'DefaultFigureResolution', 300); % Set system-wide resolution to 300 dpi

I tried working with 'DefaultFigureResolution', 'DefaultPrintResolution', and 'DefaultFigurePrintResolution' argument to see if it works by any chance but no success!

Answer 1

[Jack]

Hey Shishir,

You're on the right track, but MATLAB does not have a built-in system-wide setting to enforce 300 dpi for all exported figures automatically. The DefaultFigureResolution property only affects on-screen rendering, not exports.

Solution: Set DPI During Export in Startup File

Instead of setting a system-wide default, you can modify your startup.m to automatically apply 300 dpi whenever a figure is saved by overriding the print function:

Updated startup.m

% Set default figure properties

set(0, 'DefaultFigurePaperUnits', 'inches');

set(0, 'DefaultFigurePaperPositionMode', 'manual');

set(0, 'DefaultFigurePaperPosition', [0 0 20 11.25]);

set(0, 'DefaultTextInterpreter', 'latex');

set(0, 'DefaultTextFontSize', 16);

set(0, 'DefaultAxesFontSize', 16);

% Override print function to always use 300 dpi

saveas_orig = @saveas; % Keep original function

print_orig = @print;

function my_print(varargin)

dpiFlag = '-r300'; % Set resolution to 300 dpi

if nargin > 1

print_orig(varargin{:}, dpiFlag);

else

print_orig(dpiFlag);

end

end

function my_saveas(varargin)

if nargin > 1

print_orig(varargin{1}, varargin{2}, '-r300'); % Force 300 dpi

else

print_orig(varargin{1}, '-r300');

end

end

% Assign the custom functions

assignin('base', 'print', @my_print);

assignin('base', 'saveas', @my_saveas);

How This Works

✅ Ensures all figures are exported at 300 dpi regardless of how they are saved.

✅ Overrides print and saveas functions in your MATLAB session to always include -r300.

✅ Does not interfere with on-screen rendering, keeping your figures looking normal.

Now, every time you save or export a figure, it will automatically be set to 300 dpi without needing to change settings manually.

If this helps, follow me so you can message me anytime with future MATLAB questions! 🚀

[Shishir]

Thank you so much Jack for this one!