How to set PPI?

[Barbelboy]

Hi All,

Sorry to ask this question again as a kind member answered it for me some time ago but i have now forgotten ( old age) I have elements 5, where do you go to set the PPI prior to printing?????

John

[Byron Gale]

John,

PPI is set in the Image Size dialog.

Byron

[Barbelboy]

Byron,

Thank you for that speedy reply, I notice that if you go to print multiple images it gives you the option to set ppi there, When you open an image in elements on the bottom left it gives image 240 ppi how can i permanantly change this to 300ppi?

John

[Codebreaker]

John....

Be careful. Printing is more than just setting the PPI to a number. There is a relationship between Pixel Dimensions and the Physical Print Size as follows:-

Print Size = Pixel Dimensions / Resolution (PPI)

If you set one variable it will effect the others. So having the Print Resolution always at 240 or 300 will give varying print sizes depending on the Pixel Dimensions.

The resolution value is not cast in stone. The typical value quoted for a good quality print is 300 but in truth the correct value depends on your printer. Epson work best with 360 and Canon work best with 240. However, I doubt if anyone could tell the difference if you just chose 300. Even a value as low as 180 can be acceptable if the print is not too large or even viewed at a distanceee.

The rule of thumb of 300PPI is a good starting point but if you always choose this in the Image > Image Resize dialog look what it does to the Physical Size. This may not be what you want.

Having a value greater than 300PPI seldom makes any difference, so if you have plenty of Pixels and you see a value for a 6 x 4 print of 600PPI don't worry. Its only having less than the optimum that matters.

Of course if you don't have enough pixels to get the print size you want at 300PPI then you will have to Re-size the image.

Colin