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View Full Version : Prep for multiple print sizes - small to poster size?


ME100FINN
April 2nd, 2006, 01:52 AM
If this has been addressed before, my apologies...please post the link if you'd be so kind.

I want to start some layouts for a montage. I am not sure what size i will eventually use in print. I could quite possibly go 8x10 up to a custom larger size. i just dont know yet. I am trying to think the process through so I avoid any repetition in creating the project.

How should my file be prepared? Should I have all file resolutions copy/pasted/cropped at 300dpi into the file? Should I start at the largest possible pixel size so it can be reduced for smaller print? I am certain some cropping would occur if that is the case, so I will keep that in mind when I do the layout. I figured if I keep everything at a minimum of 220ppi, up to 300ppi it would be best. Any other suggestions?

FYI - I am trying to make a montage of key locations in Japan as a parting gift to people that are leaving this area. It will be matted people for farewell signatures. So, I would guess an 8x10 print matted to 10x13 frame would be ideal. Some may want a larger print though. It seems 8x10 might be awfully small to make a nice montage from.

I would like a poster size print to offer -- but not on photo paper. I can only go 13x19 - that doesnt qualify as poster size. Is there any online services that provide custom poster prints? That is something that could be framed too!

FYI - I also read in one of the Photoshop books that THE best way to increase an image size is to use the "percent" selection by using 110% over and over again. It apparently renders the best image.

Wendy
April 2nd, 2006, 04:26 AM
Hi Beatrice ...

I always make things large size ... as its much easier to scale down than scale up. Check out your images and first make sure that they are large enough to use on a large size montage ...

I would make the background 300 resolution and scale the other images to fit that.

Increasing size by using the 10 percent rule does work well ... but like everything it only works up to a point. So the more you increase the size the more the image will degrade ... after all when you ask Photoshop to increase the size it has to take a guess about what the extra pixels should show. The more you ask it to add the more it struggles :)

Wendy