Printing your images

[Roosta]

Just looking to run off a few images I've taken. These are just to see how they come out, pano adjustment size and the like.

So I was going to use the local supermarket style photolab outlets. What in your experience is the best format and size of image to take along to have developed?

The shots I've chosen have been re-sized to suit AP and or Flickr, which I keep the same, but when PS asks if I want to save the file after re-sizing, I always pick no, so I can re-open the image in Bridge - camera raw - PS and re-size and re-format.

Once decided on how they look, then I will be looking to get them large scale printed, some to canvas. Do we know anyone in WA or recommend anyone through AP Sponsors or previous dealings.


Thanks in advance.

[OzzieTraveller]

G'day Roosta

Bit hard to answer all your Qs in one go & from over the east side...
I'd suggest that you chat to several of your local D&P outlets firstly - ask to to see their QA colour test strips, ask how often they put them thru the system, ask how long a pano can they print onto an 8 inch or 10inch roll .... etc etc

Regards, Phil

[Roosta]

Thanks Phil, It was more along the lines of, should I leave as a .jpg at say less than 250 Kb, or .tiff at 4 megs shot type stuff.

Not realy shure on how large/small to put images on to thumb drive and take along to whom ever.

What is D&P ?

[etherial]

I've been researching a little about this lately. It seems most photo labs ask for JPG files around 4-5MB in sRGB colour space. It does vary from printer to printer, so best to talk to them first.

[Roosta]

Thanks Mic, not wanting to go all out yet, just some trial printing to see how large I can go without blowing out the image.

Cheers,

[ricstew]

I crop to the aspect I want it printed......6x6 or 8x10 or whatever ( think frame size ) and save as a jpg. I don't resize for print......I want the largest size with the most detailed info in the file. So long as it says 300 pixels per inch ( or minimum 240 ) when I cropped it. I only resize the file for the web stuff. Printing can be confusing to say the least.......

[hakka]

I had a 36x24 printed recently. First i printed a scaled down one at 5x7 to see how the brightness and colors came out, I also cropped out a 5x7 section of the enlarged 36x24 image and had it printed at 5x7 so it showed an actual size sample to check sharpness detail noise etc.

Best to call the lab and see what color space they want, those kiosk machines wont read TIF or anything over 60 megapixels, there is a filesize limit but cant remember what it is.

If your going to get big prints done I'd look at someone like ImageScience, I just uploaded a 650mb TIF to their server, the print should be here in a few days.

[Roosta]

I crop to the aspect I want it printed......6x6 or 8x10 or whatever ( think frame size ) and save as a jpg. I don't resize for print......I want the largest size with the most detailed info in the file. So long as it says 300 pixels per inch ( or minimum 240 ) when I cropped it. I only resize the file for the web stuff. Printing can be confusing to say the least.......

I didn't think it was ment to be this hard, I saved my images that I posted in the Land/seascapes forum, took them to a decent print out let, and I cant get a standard print size to suit, not even 8 x 36, how hard can it be? I need to get my head around the standard sizes and adjust in save in PS for that I feel, but why cant/ or why is it/ you cant crop an image in PS to a Pano and take it in in .jpg and have it fit something and have it printed. Confused, and livered at the print world at the mo.

How do we get a 6 frame cropped pano printed ??? Shivers, it shouldn't be this hard.

[Roosta]

I had a 36x24 printed recently. First i printed a scaled down one at 5x7 to see how the brightness and colors came out, I also cropped out a 5x7 section of the enlarged 36x24 image and had it printed at 5x7 so it showed an actual size sample to check sharpness detail noise etc.

Best to call the lab and see what color space they want, those kiosk machines wont read TIF or anything over 60 megapixels, there is a filesize limit but cant remember what it is.

If your going to get big prints done I'd look at someone like ImageScience, I just uploaded a 650mb TIF to their server, the print should be here in a few days.

Cheers mate, will check it out, Thanks...

[ricstew]

Unusual sizes make for a custom print.....the photo lab will only print to certain sizes, thats all their paper comes in. ( 6x4, 8x10 etc ) therefore your crop must fit in them otherwise bits get chopped off to make them fit. If you need to make something fit into a different size.....say an 11 x 15 you may need to print it to larger paper and trim to fit. That would mean a more specialised printer........a supermarket cant do it......

[Roosta]

Unusual sizes make for a custom print.....the photo lab will only print to certain sizes, thats all their paper comes in. ( 6x4, 8x10 etc ) therefore your crop must fit in them otherwise bits get chopped off to make them fit. If you need to make something fit into a different size.....say an 11 x 15 you may need to print it to larger paper and trim to fit. That would mean a more specialised printer........a supermarket cant do it......

Thanks mate for all your useful info, I've found a place in Perth that can print what I want, and they showed me how to save my images in standard formats, sorted. Love learning something new, wish it was always so simple. It is when you say it out aloud as they say, feel like a right dick, when I saw how easy it was.

Thanks muchly for your help.

[13ulletz]

Hey Roosta,

im looking at getting some photos printed. Mind sharing where you got yours printed from?

[Roosta]

Hi H.B,

I used Fitzgeralds in North Perth, they were great.

http://www.fitzgeraldphoto.com.au/

Recommend them no worries at all.

[Doninoz]

When I want proofs I often get them from Officeworks...reasonable quality on Kodak paper and only 10c for 6x4...not much for larger. They also do canvas prints up to megasize. Have you got one in Perth?

[Milbs1]

H.B. I just got a large print (24x30) from Custom Photo Imaging in Rockingham (via their online store). Ordered on Sunday night and arrived Tuesday and pretty happy with the print (now need to get it framed!).

I have also used Fitzgeralds and I'm happy with them :)

[13ulletz]

Cheers Roosta and Shirl, I'll definitly check them out next time!

I just went and got a print done this morning from photocoffee in rockingham for the mandurah camera club monthly comp. Came out good but don't know if it is good compared other printing shops as I havnt had much done

[Roosta]

Hay HB, if you try the one Shirl has mentioned in store, they should have PS and you should be able to view it there and get some perspective, if not, Fitzies do and will so you. I know it's a bit of a travel. but if you feel it's the shot, well, it should be worth it.