Creating large sized graphics

(George) wrote in news:b3c61414.0407020416.54ded6f5
@posting.google.com:

Hi, I have a few questions about resolution and resizing of images hopefully someone can help me with. I have the need to print out very large sized graphics (for example, something 6 feet by 4 feet). So here are my questions:

1) I understand that having the original image in a high resolution is a must, but realistically, what sort of resolution should I be looking for in order to print out such a large image with relatively minor distortion?

2) Is there a preferred method within Photoshop to increase the size of photos with minimal loss of picture quality?

3) If scanning a regular photograph, what scanning resolution would I need to use for something to be printed 6′ by 4′?

4) Finally, any suggestions where I could obtain the necessary hi-res photos on the web for large size printing?

Thanks in advance for any help you can provide…

-George

Err George if your asking these questions I would sugest handing the project to a company that produces billboards.

—
Always and never are two words you should always remember never to use.

I commonly print exactly this size mural. I use the same file size requirements I do for smaller prints, results for 300 dpi = effective 1800 dpi in my 11 color printer. Thus I drum scan 11" X 14" chromes at a high enough resolution to do this, simply tell scanning software to output a size 48"X 62" image at 300 spi. You can do the math if you have to for your size original to see what resolution you need. I might add that the resulting raw scan size will stress most systems (and your patience in photoshop). J Vee

On 7/2/04 7:16 AM, in article
, "George"
wrote:

Hi, I have a few questions about resolution and resizing of images hopefully someone can help me with. I have the need to print out very large sized graphics (for example, something 6 feet by 4 feet). So here are my questions:

1) I understand that having the original image in a high resolution is a must, but realistically, what sort of resolution should I be looking for in order to print out such a large image with relatively minor distortion?

2) Is there a preferred method within Photoshop to increase the size of photos with minimal loss of picture quality?

3) If scanning a regular photograph, what scanning resolution would I need to use for something to be printed 6′ by 4′?

4) Finally, any suggestions where I could obtain the necessary hi-res photos on the web for large size printing?

Thanks in advance for any help you can provide…

-George

—
J Vee

The reason I ask these questions is because I actually want to learn how to do these sorts of things. I am not interested in using a billboard company, but rather learn for my own understanding…

Kingdom …

(George) wrote in news:b3c61414.0407020416.54ded6f5
@posting.google.com:

Hi, I have a few questions about resolution and resizing of images hopefully someone can help me with. I have the need to print out very large sized graphics (for example, something 6 feet by 4 feet). So here are my questions:

1) I understand that having the original image in a high resolution is a must, but realistically, what sort of resolution should I be looking for in order to print out such a large image with relatively minor distortion?

2) Is there a preferred method within Photoshop to increase the size of photos with minimal loss of picture quality?

3) If scanning a regular photograph, what scanning resolution would I need to use for something to be printed 6′ by 4′?

4) Finally, any suggestions where I could obtain the necessary hi-res photos on the web for large size printing?

Thanks in advance for any help you can provide…

-George

Err George if your asking these questions I would sugest handing the project to a company that produces billboards.

I need to print large graphics with minimal loss of
quality (by large, I am talking about something 6 feet by 4 feet). I know that the resolution of the image is crucial for such a task, but I had a few questions I was hoping to have answered:

1) Realistically, what resolution would I need to have my images in so I could print them out at a 6′ x 4′ size with minimal loss of quality or distortion?

35 millimeters = 1.3781 inches wich goes in to 48 inches almost 35 times. So you need to scan at such a resolution that it can be blown up that many times! So, if you want your image to be 72 dpi really bad for printing. You need to scan at 35*72 = 2520 dpi!

Personally, I wouldn’t print less than 150 dpi so that is 35 * 150 = 5250 dpi to scan at!

Optimumly, I would suggest 300 dpi. Which is 35 times magnification by 300 dpi meaning you need to scan at 10500 dpi and be close to 899 meg!

Note useing medum format cammera would let you scan at a much lower multiple.

2) Are there any preferred methods within Photoshop which I could use to resize my image to 6′ x 4′ and minimize all of the blurriness which comes along with it?

Assuming That you decide that you want to go no holds bared and scan at 10500dpi to resize you should go under image size and remove the check from resample and then change you image size. you will notice that the resolution will drop to 300dpi and then when you click on ok it will change the print size instantly.

For example, if I had a 1024 x 768 pixel image at
72 dpi, what’s the biggest size I could make this image and what’s the best way to do this?

if you don’t mind the qualiity 8 by 10 inches.

3) Are there any good web resources which provide hi-res images for printing in the size requirements I have?

You might look for some vector images. but if you want photos the answer is no. if you are determined you can do a search for "NASA high resolution" and get some files that are large by internet standards. Not many people can afford the bandwith that NASA can.

4) Finally, if I am scanning a photo, what’s the appropriate dpi I should be scanning at in order to satisfy my size requirements?

See the answer for number one.

Charles
Torrance, California
http://www.tcpslashipdomains.com

On 7/2/04 7:16 AM, in article
, "George"
wrote:

Hi, I have a few questions about resolution and resizing of images hopefully someone can help me with. I have the need to print out very large sized graphics (for example, something 6 feet by 4 feet). So here are my questions:

1) I understand that having the original image in a high resolution is a must, but realistically, what sort of resolution should I be looking for in order to print out such a large image with relatively minor distortion?
2) Is there a preferred method within Photoshop to increase the size of photos with minimal loss of picture quality?
3) If scanning a regular photograph, what scanning resolution would I need to use for something to be printed 6′ by 4′?
4) Finally, any suggestions where I could obtain the necessary hi-res photos on the web for large size printing?

Thanks in advance for any help you can provide…

-George

There is a plug-in that is made for the enlargement sizes you are trying for. Here is the address http://www.dyesubinks.com/sspline.htm There is an example on this site of an image enlarged from 8"x10" to 4’x 4′. It claims to be better than the bicubic interpolation method. nikki

On Fri, 02 Jul 2004 19:58:02 GMT, "Tabasco1"
wrote:

35 millimeters = 1.3781 inches wich goes in to 48 inches almost 35 times. So you need to scan at such a resolution that it can be blown up that many times! So, if you want your image to be 72 dpi really bad for printing. You need to scan at 35*72 = 2520 dpi!

Personally, I wouldn’t print less than 150 dpi so that is 35 * 150 = 5250 dpi to scan at!

Optimumly, I would suggest 300 dpi. Which is 35 times magnification by 300 dpi meaning you need to scan at 10500 dpi and be close to 899 meg!

You may print at 300dpi, but the pixel count required (ppi) is different. The larger the image size the lower the pixel count required because the viewing distance changes.

Something the size the OP proposes could easily be printed at 300dpi using a 150ppi image. There is a difference, which you are missing, between ppi and dpi. You could print your 150ppi image at 1440 dpi with the right printer, for example.

—

Hecate

veni, vidi, reliqui

You may print at 300dpi, but the pixel count required (ppi) is different. The larger the image size the lower the pixel count required because the viewing distance changes.

Something the size the OP proposes could easily be printed at 300dpi using a 150ppi image. There is a difference, which you are missing, between ppi and dpi. You could print your 150ppi image at 1440 dpi with the right printer, for example.

I’ve done all sorts of high res printing at 48 by 72 and I agree 150 is often enough. However, if you are doing art it can make a noticeable difference.

Sometimes you want people to be able to walk right up to the image and stare. 🙂 If you are doing a "poster" or an advert 150 is definitely fine.

Charles
Torrance, California
http://www.tcpslashipdomains.com

On Sat, 03 Jul 2004 06:31:43 GMT, "Tabasco1"
wrote:

You may print at 300dpi, but the pixel count required (ppi) is different. The larger the image size the lower the pixel count required because the viewing distance changes.

Something the size the OP proposes could easily be printed at 300dpi using a 150ppi image. There is a difference, which you are missing, between ppi and dpi. You could print your 150ppi image at 1440 dpi with the right printer, for example.

I’ve done all sorts of high res printing at 48 by 72 and I agree 150 is often enough. However, if you are doing art it can make a noticeable difference.

Sometimes you want people to be able to walk right up to the image and stare. 🙂 If you are doing a "poster" or an advert 150 is definitely fine.

Good point 🙂

—

Hecate

veni, vidi, reliqui

George – you have alot going on. Here are some rules about resolution:

1. you never have enough.

Unfortunately creating images at the size you are looking to do is tough; but doable. Most desktop scanners can’t scan at a high resolution for your size; and even if they could the file size would be VERY large and the average system couldn’t handle it (memory wise). One saving grace is that most large format printers are very good at making up for files with lower resolution; and one thing to keep in mind is that prints that size are generally viewed from a distance where the pixelization or dithering caused by files with lower resolution will be less visible. If you got up close to most large signage or billboards you would see that the dot screen on those things are about the size of a golf ball (well not quite but it seems that way). Having said all that if I wanted make a 6 x 4 foot file I would make it a smaller dimension so it will be easier to work with say 2×1.3 (math isn’t my best so work it out proportionally) and make it atleast 600 – 900 dpi (as much as your system can handle. Then when you print it you can print it at 300% and at 600dpi that will give you a printing resolution of 150dpi which should give you decent results on a large format printer with gloss paper. – hope this helps.

in article , George at
wrote on 7/2/04 8:16 AM:

Hi, I have a few questions about resolution and resizing of images hopefully someone can help me with. I have the need to print out very large sized graphics (for example, something 6 feet by 4 feet). So here are my questions:

1) I understand that having the original image in a high resolution is a must, but realistically, what sort of resolution should I be looking for in order to print out such a large image with relatively minor distortion?

2) Is there a preferred method within Photoshop to increase the size of photos with minimal loss of picture quality?

3) If scanning a regular photograph, what scanning resolution would I need to use for something to be printed 6′ by 4′?

4) Finally, any suggestions where I could obtain the necessary hi-res photos on the web for large size printing?

Thanks in advance for any help you can provide…

-George