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DPChallenge Forums >> Tips, Tricks, and Q&A >> Large print question
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 01/19/2009 09:42:28 PM · #1
Hope this is not too dumb a question... I have no experience printing photographs. Now I need prints in A3 size (about 12 x 17 inch) or maybe B3 (roughly 14 x 20 inch).
My processed and slightly cropped files are smaller than that according to photoshop image size data.

What is the best way to prepare the files for printing:
just save them as they are in max. quality, correct aspect ratio and leave it up to the printing shop to increase the size
or increase the size myself in photoshop (elements) or lightroom.

Could I just open the previously saved jpg files and resize or better process them again from the scratch. Some of them are older files and no psd files saved.

Thanks in advance for advice!
 01/19/2009 09:51:12 PM · #2
It all depends on the format of your original files.. If they are RAW files I would reprocess and save a master in PSD format. I would then flatten the image and use LR to resize your image yourself. When resizing your image your best option is to use "bicubic smoother" or "bicubic" when doing an enlargement. Once the files are to the required size, sharpen the image either using "Unsharp Mask" or a third party sharpening program. Give the final file to the printer as an 8 bit Tiff file. You are the artist you should control as many aspects of your image as possible for quality control. The printer usually will only print the image to the size you specify without regards to quality (unless you are printing at a Pro lab).
 01/19/2009 10:18:19 PM · #3
Some of the originals are raw files, some are large jpgs.

Is there a good reason to go back into lightroom for the resizing after doing everything in photoshop?
Thanks again for your input!
 01/19/2009 10:37:47 PM · #4
Originally posted by tamatama:
Some of the originals are raw files, some are large jpgs.

Is there a good reason to go back into lightroom for the resizing after doing everything in photoshop?
Thanks again for your input!


It depends on which version of Photoshop you are using.. If it is version CS2 or higher then it should not make a difference if you do the resizing in Photoshop or Lightroom. Just use the appropriate algorithm for doing your resize such as "Bicubic Smoother" or "Bicubic" for enlargements or "Bicubic Sharper" for reductions.

Just make sure that if your originals are JPEG's don't resave as a JPEG, save it as a TIFF file to protect the integrity of the image. Too many saves as a JPEG will strip the image of detail and quality.

Message edited by author 2009-01-19 22:38:21.
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