Collage Resolution?

[Lyeah]

Hi,
I just created my first collage for my friends daughter's high school graduation. When I began the new blank file, I made it an 8 X 10 with a resolution of 300ppi. I then did all my layers to create the collage, and when I was all done, I merged all the layers and saved it as a jpeg file and selected the "highest resolution" option on the save options. When I tried to upload the file to Ritz for printing, it said that the resolution was too small for an 8X10. What is the best way to resolve this? I'm not familiar with resolutions at all. My plan was to start all over again and make my initial blank file bigger than 300ppi, (probably 1200ppi) then drag the layers back into the new file and see if the overall resolution when I save it as a jpeg is better. I would appreciate any suggestions/recommendations.

Becky

[msbrad]

Hi Becky,
When I do the collages, I start with the 300 blank page too, and follow the same path you did. When I save the jpeg copy, I too save it as whatever the biggest file size is. Have not had that problem you mentioned with the upload process. But I'
I've not used Ritz either (Walgreens or Shutterfly)
I wonder if it is shrinking it down the way e-mail sizing shrinks files:confused:
Possibly try to put it on a CD your whole jpeg file, and carry it into the store. Then see what happens.
m

[Wendy]

Hi Becky ...

Just open up the jpg and do Image>Resize>Image Size ... write down the details from the Document Box and then click on Cancel ...

What did it say in there ??

Wendy :)

[Lyeah]

I looked at the image size as Wendy recommended, and now I'm not sure that I did start with a 300 ppi blank file (I thought I did since I've seen in numerous posts that is the minimum recommended for printing). Mine says 576 X 720 and only 72 ppi.

Only 1/2 hour til lunchtime, and I don't think it'll take me that long to create a new one. After creating the blank file at the correct resolution, I can probably just drag all the layers from the old .psd file into the new one. I want to get it uploaded to Ritz so I can pick it up tonight when I take my daughter to soccer practice. I'll let you know the results. Thanks for your help Wendy and Michelle!

Becky

(P.S. I first tried to use Walgreens or CVS's print services, but for an 8X10, it was going to take 1-2 days, and I need it sooner than that). Ritz's upload software is definitely more sophisticated because it told me that my resolution would not produce good results at the size I was ordering, so I'm glad I went with them and discovered the resolution issue before spending the money to have it printed.)

[msbrad]

Hi Becky,
Sounds like what Wendy said and the start res. was not 300. I think those little boxes just change numbers sometimes!
Glad you have it sorted out. Ritz usually does a nice job.
I'm surprised Walgreens said so long for an 8x10. They haven't done that to me.
Shall e-mail you soon to get you caught up. Haven't chatted in awhile.
m

[Wendy]

Hi Becky ...

Oh that is small ... but at least you now know what the problem is. Hope that you manage to recreate it OK :)

Wendy

[photoshopsusieq]

Becky,

You might have some problems dragging the old 72ppi layers into the new 300ppi document. They're probably going to become teeny-tiny. You'll probably have to start from scratch. Sorry!

Hope everything is going better with your collage. Technology is wonderful when it works! Let us know if you post it in your gallery.

[Lyeah]

Thanks to everyone for their suggestions. I was able to create a new one during my lunch hour, and I did have to resize the layers when I dragged from the original .psd file, but that sure was easier than starting from the beginning.

When I exclaimed disappointedly this morning that I was going to have to do it again, my 13 yr old said "Well Mom, it'll be a breeze this time, won't it"? I can't wait to get to the point when making stuff in PSE is "a breeze"!

I picked the photos up from Ritz this afternoon and I'm pretty pleased with the results, especially since this is my first one. I tried to resize it down to the small size required by this forum for the gallery, but I can't get it down that small. Geez, I definitely need a little work on resizing techniques!

Michelle, it was good to hear from you. Bet you're looking forward to the last day of school!

Now that I've conquered this project, I think I might try a poster with all 15 girls from my daughter's soccer team to give to them at the end of year party.

Thanks again for all your help, you guys are awesome!

Becky

[Wendy]

Hi Becky ...

Try downsizing it this way and then upload it to Pixentral ... you can put larger images there :)

Resize using Save for Web:

Open your image then do File>Save for Web
When the Save for Web dialogue box come up there is a section over on the bottom right hand side where you can change the pixels size (see A) if you tick Constrain Proportions then you only need to change the longest side then just click on Apply. Next take a look at the new size (B) ... if it is still too big then use the quality slider (C) until the size is OK

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1oU339hS3qhxM5k9hXDdeC21dpFM0_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1oU339hS3qhxM5k9hXDdeC21dpFM0)

For use on Pixentral ..

Set the longest side to 750 pixels and click on Apply
then adjust the quality slider until the image is around 150K.
and save it with a new name.

then go to
http://www.pixentral.com/index.php

Follow the instructions on the site and then when your image is uploaded copy the URL from just above the image and paste it into a message here :)

Wendy

[kimh]

Becky...We would all love to see it.
Congratulations on getting it fixed.
kimh

[msbrad]

Becky,
Glad you were able to get it figured out, and printed. Let us know if you get stuck and need more help posting.
You've taken some great soccer photos, I think the girls would love a poster and a party!
Next you need to have a gallery here too.
Later,
m

[schlpic]

Could I ask some advice--(not meaning to hijack).
I had the same type of problem last night, creating an image for a friend!
I made a new 16x20 document--300pi. Placed two images long skinny images also at 300pi. The file was 13mb. I uploaded to Walmart (that's her closest choice for 1 hour photos), and 16x20 was not a recommended size for this image. Walmart accepts files up to 4mb--so must've automatically downsized? (I thought a message might come up that file size was too big when I uploaded--but it didn't).
Is my only option for this large image to order it elsewhere?? (she's not the patient type for waiting--lol!!). Any tips?
Thanks so much for helping a newbie!

[Wags374]

Any possiblity that either of you might have accidently done a "save for web" when you saved your collage as a jpeg? That would account for the lower resoultion since 72dpi is a pretty standard res for the web.