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DPChallenge Forums >> Tips, Tricks, and Q&A >> Saving as TIFF for printing, which is better?
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08/13/2006 08:57:15 AM · #1
I am saving some images in TIFF format for printing purposes.

Does is make any difference what pixel order to use? CS2 offers two formats - interleaved (RGBRGB) and per channel (RRGGBB).

Also, do you guys know if Walmart prints from TIFF files?

Thanks
08/13/2006 09:12:19 AM · #2
You really don't gain anything between a tiff image and a jpeg image saved at it's highest setting... other than the tiff image file size is a LOT bigger. Do all of your editing in tiff format and then save as a highest quality jpeg.

What I have always done is shoot in raw, then convert the raw image to a 16 bit tiff image. Do all of my editing, adjustments and tweaking as a 16 bit tiff file, save a copy of the final tiff file and then for printing, save it again as a highest quality jpeg and for the web save the tiff as a web image at about a 7 or 8 quality (after resizing). I only change from 16 bit to 8 bit if there is something I want to do that won't edit in 16 bit (Photoshop 7 was limited to what it would do in 16 bit but CS2 is a lot better).

If I should shoot in jpeg (which has been very rare in the 4 or so years I've been shooting digital), I always save a copy as a tiff file before I do anything. I never over write the original file or modify it. After I save it as tiff, then I do all of my edits and tweaks and save the final copy as a jpeg again. You do not lose any quality this way.

I've read and also tested myself and found myself that there is no difference between a print made from a tiff file and a jpeg file. Actually, you can go down in quality a step or two without any noticable loss in most cases as well. I also print in AdobeRGB unless the printer only accepts sRGB. You do lose color in sRGB over AdobeRGB because sRGB doesn't have as wide a color gamet as AdobeRGB. In most cases you won't notice it unless there are a lot of the colors that fall within AdobeRGB or you put the images side by side and they were both spot on to begin with.

Mike
08/13/2006 09:17:21 AM · #3
Ok thanks
08/13/2006 09:35:06 AM · #4
Just an alternative opinion here:

I always save my edits as PSD files (photoshop). They have the same high quality as tiffs, but all of my edits are still in place and I can always go back and tweak or undo my edits.

I agree, I flatten down to a high quality jpeg (usually saved at quality 11 in PhotoShop) and print from there. The only exceptions I've made are for 16x20 and larger prints. Then I print directly from a tiff file because, at that size, I want everything to be as absolutely crisp as it can be.

08/13/2006 10:14:57 AM · #5
Originally posted by Beagleboy:


Also, do you guys know if Walmart prints from TIFF files?


I believe Walmart and others are JPEG only, but as mentioned before, you won't be losing quality.
08/13/2006 11:05:14 AM · #6
Thanks guys.
08/13/2006 11:12:48 AM · #7
Originally posted by fotomann_forever:

Originally posted by Beagleboy:


Also, do you guys know if Walmart prints from TIFF files?


I believe Walmart and others are JPEG only, but as mentioned before, you won't be losing quality.


Tiffs can be saved as 16 bits/channel whereas jpegs are only 8 bits/channel. You may see a difference in images with lots of detail.
08/13/2006 11:30:25 AM · #8
Originally posted by fotomann_forever:

Originally posted by Beagleboy:


Also, do you guys know if Walmart prints from TIFF files?


I believe Walmart and others are JPEG only, but as mentioned before, you won't be losing quality.


The two Walmarts nearest me will print TIFF.
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