When you export an Origin graph using the menu
File: Export Page

You have a number of options. I assume you are
using either Bitmap (BMP) or JPEG. The files that
are generated are made up of a discrete number of
pixels, as stated when you create the file.

The standard Origin graphs when created in
landscape mode with standard US letter size paper is
7.95 inches by 5.28 inches. You can confirm this by
selecting the graph window you are interested in and
from the Origin menu bar click on Format: Layer.
You will need to change the Units of Measurement
from % of Page to Inches. Click on O.K.

Your next step is to create the Bitmap or JPEG file.
Both procedures are the same. Select File: Export
Page: and save the file in the format of your choice,
either Bitmap of JPEG. When you go to save the file
you are given the default size of the image in pixels.
This is the total size of the image in pixels in width
and height. The default number of pixels is 1300 x
980 pixels. On an image that is 7.95 inches by 5.28
inches you can calculate the actual bit density for an
image of the originals size. 1300 pixels / 7.95 inches
= 164 pixels per inch. This is not the 72 pixels/inch
as you stated.

Next you need to place this image you have created
in a publication quality form. Most people use a
product like Adobe PhotoShop. The problem with
this type of program is it is not very user friendly.
When you open the BMP of JPG file in this program
the default resolution is always 72 DPI/Pixels per
inch. However if you go to the PhotoShop main
menu bar and select Image: Image Size you will see
the print size resolution of 72 pixels per inch but note
the PRINT SIZE is 18.056 X 13.611inches. If you
were to reduce the print size to the original size of the
Origin graph 7.95 inches by 5.28 inches, you would
still have your original resolution of 164 Pixels/inch.

18.056 copy size / 7.95 original size = 2.27

72 DPI X 2.27 = 164 DPI

Within the PhotoShop Image Size dialog box first
change the resolution to 164 pixels/inch. Next
change the Print Size Width to 7.98 inches. When
you click on OK you will now have an image that has
a resolution of 164 pixels/inch and a size of 7.95
inches by 5.28 inches.

If you enlarge the image by a factor of two then the
image resolution will fall to 164 / 2 or 82 DPI. If you
need higher resolution for an image this size then you
need to increase the number of pixels you saved the
original image in.

If your final image has to be 10 inches by 8 inches
with a final resolution of 300 DPI then you would
calculate 10 X 300 = 3000 pixels by 8 X 300 = 2400
pixels. This is a very large file so be aware you will
need lots of resources available to your computer.

The best way to create an image that is high
resolution and scalable is to create either a Windows
Metafile (WMF) or an Encapsulated Postscript (EPS)
file. Both of these file formats are vector based. As
you scale the image, a mathematical equation will
draw lines instead of just spreading out the available
pixels. This makes for a smooth jaggies free image.
Unfortunately this format is not supported properly
by Adobe. If you use the Edit: Copy Page menu
option in Origin to create a Metafile, and then paste
this into PhotoShop, the image is instantly converted
to a 72 DPI bitmap. However if you use this same
procedure with a Microsoft product like MS Word or
PowerPoint, you will have a true WMF that can be
rescaled within the page to any size the paper/printer
is capable of reproducing with no loss of detail. The
basic drawback to the WMF is the small number of
page imaging and formatting programs that support
this format. This area is still Macintosh dominated.

The best solution is to create an EPS file. This is
similar to a WMF but is a cross platform solution.
The EPS file can be placed in both Windows and
Macintosh documents yet retain their full vector
based resolution. Origin can create these files using
method two as described in the on-line Origin Help.

Method 2: Creating an EPS File from the page in the
active graph window

1) Select File:Page Setup. This menu
command opens the Page Setup dialog box.
2) Select the Portrait radio button in the
Orientation group.
3) Click OK.
4) Select File:Print. This menu command
opens the Print dialog box.
5) Select a PostScript printer from the Name
drop-down list in the Printer group.
6) Click Properties. This action opens the
Printer Properties dialog box.
7) Select the PostScript tab.
8) Select Encapsulated PostScript (EPS) from
the PostScript Output Format drop-down list. A
Warning dialog box reminds you to select the Print to
File check box in the Print dialog box.

9) Click OK in the Warning dialog box.
10) Select the Print to File check box in the
Printer group.
11) Click OK to close the Print dialog box. This
action opens the Print to File dialog box.
12) Select the desired folder from the Save In
drop-down list.
13) Type the file name (*.EPS) in the File Name
text box.
14) Click OK to close the dialog box and create
the EPS file.

This EPS file can be directly imported into a number
of programs for resizing, manipulation and printing.

As you can see, there are many factors in creating a
publication quality graph. You were not extremely detailed
in how you were creating and using your images. If you require
additional help, please repost your question with additional
information on your project.

Regards,

Scott Plotkin

Prior to Step 1 in the EPS process, you must set up the Postscript driver to Print to File. To do so, it may be necessary to go into your Printers folder (Start:Settings:Printers) and change the setting from within Windows. First, bring up the Properties by right-clicking on the printer's icon and selecting Properties. Then, go to the Details tab and change the Print to the Following Port drop-down list to FILE. Once you have done so, begin the process Scott has outlined.