Check Document Raster Effects Settings

Before you start applying all kinds of raster effects or filters, make sure you have chosen the optimal raster quality settings for your document. From the Effect menu, choose Document Raster Effects Settings. In the dialog, choose the resolution, background (white or transparent), and options for anti-alias and clipping masks. These settings are document-wide, affecting all raster filters and effects. By default, the resolution is set to 72 ppi, so make this decision early on. If you change the resolution after creating objects and applying effects, the new resolution setting will be applied and the effects can change. For example, we had applied the Halftone Pattern effect to a logo, but the effect was changed after we altered the Document Raster Effects Settings.