Preparing Images for Print - DPChallenge Forums

03/17/2003 09:03:55 PM · #1

I would like to offer assistance to anyone here who may be interesting in selling prints but doesn't quite know how to create the printable files.

I can assist anyone who is using one of the versions of Adobe's software.

We can discuss here, but it is much easier in chat. I can be reached on Yahoo Messenger @ jmsetzler_nc or @ AOL Instant Messenger as JMSetzler.

:)

scab-lab

Canon EOS-D60

03/17/2003 09:05:42 PM · #2

Ill be taking you up on that offer when Im ready John... :)

03/17/2003 09:10:38 PM · #3

This Tutorial shows the process I use along with some additional considerations when making prints, but I will be happy to walk anyone through the process a few times to get you familiar with it...

WILDBLUE

03/17/2003 09:30:01 PM · #4

Hi John,

I am having some probelms downloading. The size of the picture is 2272 x 1704 and it is a 4 megapixel camera, but the dpi is only coming up with 94 dpi? I read the tutorial chart and it should be around 200 dpi for the size and megapixel?

Thanks,

Message edited by author 2003-03-17 21:31:01.

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8G IF-ED

03/17/2003 10:04:33 PM · #5

Originally posted by WILDBLUE:

2272x1704 pixel image at 94 dpi would be a print image at 24.17" x 18.12 inches. This is determined by dividing each of your pixel dimensions by 94.

This image is a 1.33:1 ratio or 4:3. My camera shoots the same ratio.

What you need to determine first is what size print you want to generate. You can generate a 9x12 image from this without having to crop. In order to do this, you simply open up the image size menu in your adobe software and turn off the bicubic resampling option and change the inch dimension on the long side to 12. The short side will automatically be adjusted to 9 and your new dpi resolution should be about 189 dpi. 2272/12=189 and 1704/9=189.

Changing your print resolution is not changing the number of pixels in the image at all. It is just squeezing them closer together or spreading them further apart.

Imagina a tic tac toe board with 9 squares. Each square represents a 'dot' in the 'dots per inch' scheme. if you spread those squares apart, you have some empty space between them, but you have a larger tic tac toe board. If you compress them together, you have less space between each square and a smaller tic tac toe board. The number of 'dots' did not change but the size of the 'board' did.

Is this making any sense?

Lustre

Nikon D7000

03/17/2003 10:22:33 PM · #6

John (and anyone else)...

I'm curious to hear opinions about Colour Profiles. So far I've only sent 1 image to be printed on a Fuji Frontier machine and I believe the operator manually adjusted colour and density. I don't mind this since they possibly have a better eye for a nice image than myself anyway.

I have read however that you can get colour profiles (icc files) for Frontiers and some people set the image up exactly as requested then send to print with instructions not to adjust. Does anyone here do this? And if so, is it for a good reason?

I'm not sure I trust my ability or equipment (ie: monitor) enough to take the chance of saying "do not adjust", but I'm interested to hear others opinions.

Beyond that I read your tutorial some time ago - it is very good. The image I prepared was 3000x2400 @ 300 DPI (PPI for the purests out there) destined for an 8x10... It came back as a stunning print in my opinion.

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

03/17/2003 10:24:15 PM · #7

I don't know a lot about color profiling... Gordon is the best source of info for that... he has been very successful with it... maybe he can give us some input in the near future...

GeneralE

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

03/17/2003 10:35:52 PM · #8

I've found that images will almost always print a little darker than the monitor displays. Usually an image which looks just a little washed out on screen will print closer to what you expect the print to look like.

03/18/2003 08:03:12 AM · #9

bump

e301

03/18/2003 08:22:46 AM · #10

Thanks for this John - v useful.

As to dpi - I've seen people requiring 300dpi for pro prints - usually stock agencies and the like. Is 189 (as quoted) an acceptable resolution? I know I could just go to the printer and run a few tests, but I'm being lazy. And voting, of course.

Ed

03/18/2003 08:25:55 AM · #11

Originally posted by e301:

150 dpi is the minimum for SELLING prints here. You can buy your own images at any resolution though...

one66stang

Nikon Coolpix 5700

03/18/2003 09:19:27 AM · #12

Is there any way to get "normal size prints 8x10, 11x13, after I go to cropping.

When I try to resize to normal print sizes one side is always off?

Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

03/18/2003 09:22:21 AM · #13

Originally posted by one66stang:

Is there any way to get "normal size prints 8x10, 11x13, after I go to cropping.

When I try to resize to normal print sizes one side is always off?

You will have to crop for an 8x10 most likely... your camera doesn't shoot in that ratio... 11x14 is a slightly different ratio than 8x10 also... getting the crop just right is important :)

jenarom

Sony DSC-F717

03/18/2003 10:18:35 AM · #14

What size is the one recommended for uploading a picture for printing?

For example: for a 1.25:1 ratio you get 4x5, 8x10 and 16x20 print sizes.

Which version do I upload? The 4x5 or the 16x20? Another way to see my question is: Is it better to automatically downsize or upsize the image (in terms of the quality of the final print)?

Patella

Canon EOS-500D Rebel T1i

03/18/2003 10:32:22 AM · #15

If I absolutely DO NOT want to crop an image, but it doesn't fit the print aspect size, I simply change the "canvas size" of the image and add a couple of white bars. It's kind of like viewing a widescreen movie on a normal TV -- you get the letterboxing effect.

This isn't necessary on the ezprints site -- you can set the images to print this way anyway -- but I find it easier to add them in the first place since that then lets the default print them the way I want as opposed to having to check the fit on each image. I don't know if it works exactly the same through the dpc prints set up, but assume it would.

drewmedia

Canon EOS-300D Rebel

03/18/2003 11:08:31 AM · #16

Originally posted by Patella:

I don't know if it works exactly the same through the dpc prints set up, but assume it would.

It does, and we give you the option when you're buying your own personal prints. Try it :)

Drew

jenarom

Sony DSC-F717

03/18/2003 12:27:11 PM · #17

Please someone answer my question.

Thanks!

Patella

Canon EOS-500D Rebel T1i

03/18/2003 12:44:15 PM · #18

jenarom -- Personally, I'm type A and always create the file for the size print I intend to make -- that way I can control the sharpness and everything else without letting someone else "resample" the image (either up or down). My workflow is basically create a "perfect" file without any resizing -- except for sharpening. Save that as a base image (eg: file1_base.png). Duplicate the file. Resize/sample the duplicate to the size I want to print at. Do any final touch-up work. Sharpen. Save this new file (eg: file1_11x14.png). Print. If I want to print at a different size, I go back to my base file, duplicate it, resize/sample, do touch up, sharpen, save (eg: file1_8x10), and print. Yes, it means I've got a lot of duplicate files at different print sizes but I avoid any unwanted pixellation if I give a smaller sized file and someone tries to print it bigger, or any softness if I give a larger sized file and someone tries to print it smaller.

jenarom

Sony DSC-F717

03/18/2003 12:48:52 PM · #19

Thanks, Patella. I've also done that when printing here at local labs. But for DPC printing, I think that you can only upload one file which will be available in several sizes (multiples of the aspect ratio of the file and up to the allowed resolution).

So, my question remains. Help! =)