Preparing Image for 40" x 30" print

Philo (e2 Member)

3

19 Sep 2012 - 9:22 AM

• Options
  • Report Error / Abuse

0

I am looking at doing a large print and would welcome some advice on anything I should do to prepare the image for printing. My image is 3458 x 2593 pixels so the first question would be: is it big enough?
Assuming it is should I be looking to resize it and perhaps apply additional sharpening?
Any pointers would be most welcome.
Many thanks in advance.

Phil

PS I will be offline for most of the day so I won't be able to respond until later this afternoon.

puertouk

1

19 Sep 2012 - 11:35 AM

• Options
  • Report Error / Abuse

1

If you have Photoshop, you can enlarge your image pixels with virtually no loss. This is the way to do it....
Copy your background layer > Windows > Actions > Create new action > (Name) resize 110% > (Function key) F11 > Press record button > Image > Image size > (Document size) Change centimeters to percentage > Width 110 > Click OK > Click on stop recording. Now, every time you want to enlarge an image, press F11 and your image will enlarge by 10%.
If you need me to explain anything, let me know.
Stephen

mattw (e2 Member)

9

19 Sep 2012 - 1:11 PM

• Options
  • Report Error / Abuse

1

Best thing to do is to contact the company doing the printing, and ask them what is the best way to prepare your images.

I use Folioprintz, and to be honest, I just send Paul the original image, and let his RIP software upscale and sharpen for the print.

thewilliam

4

20 Sep 2012 - 10:26 AM

• Options
  • Report Error / Abuse

0

When She-who-must-be-obeyed needed to prep a 15 x 3 foot canvas from a 12 MP camera file, she used Genuine Fractals from On One to do the enlargement. She decided on a final resolution of 180 dpi which gave a nice result. The folk at On One are great to deal with so visit their stand at FOCUS.

Don't do any sharpening until after you've made the enlargement. We always do a "small" test print - say a 16 x 12 inch - before going for any very large prints.

Before going to print, scrutinise the whole picture area at 100% magnification because it's surprising what you can miss!

User_Removed

9

20 Sep 2012 - 7:51 PM

• Options
  • Report Error / Abuse

0

Quote: I just send Paul the original image, and let his RIP software upscale and sharpen for the print

I have to agree with letting the printer do the upsizing for you. Their upscaling software is obviously optimised for their print machines.

Also, I imagine that your large print will be viewed from a greater distance than you would view a regular size print from so that's going to help with the lack of pixels.

Philo (e2 Member)

3

21 Sep 2012 - 9:54 AM

• Options
  • Report Error / Abuse

0

Thanks guys, in the end I just sent the image as it was and let the printers deal with upscaling. Fingers crossed it will come out just fine.
Phil

collywobles

9

21 Sep 2012 - 5:43 PM

• Options
  • Report Error / Abuse

0

I also have a question. Having taken images, most them straight out of the camera are around 3-4mb. After working on them in CS3 they increase in size from 5-12 mb depending on the processes used. Obviously when then uploading they take a much longer time to uplpoad especially as today I had 230 images to upload.. How do I reduce the file size, in order to keep the upload time reasonable? What effect will reducing the size of the file have on quality.

€olin Tx

collywobles

9

22 Sep 2012 - 10:18 AM

• Options
  • Report Error / Abuse

0

Thank you Chris will do as you advise.

€olin