What printer resolution do I need for large prints?

G
Posted By
Gort
Oct 7, 2006
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263
Replies
2
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Closed
Though I have had several darkrooms in my life (none at the moment), I’m relatively new to digital photography. I recently scanned a number of my older 5" x 7" prints & after a bit of basic manipulation in PS7 would like to get them printed. They were scanned at 1200 ppi, & resized to 16.25" x 11.75". 4 are grayscale, 1 is RGB. They are .tif files, the grayscales are about 270 meg, the RGB about 600 meg. I am having trouble though finding someone to print these as I would like. There appear to be 2 types of businesses that do this, "photo labs" in places like camera shops & drug stores, none of which I have contacted are able to print at over 300 dpi, some only 72, & commercial places that are not interested in dealing with small quantities. Frankly, I’m not even sure I NEED resolution higher than 300, though these are images I plan to frame for display & which I am proud of, and I want the best image possible. Also, I have read that if the file is 1200 ppi, the printer should be at least twice this, or more. Am I off base on the resolution thing? Any helpful input appreciated.

TIA

Dan

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J
Jim
Oct 7, 2006
"Dan" wrote in message
Though I have had several darkrooms in my life (none at the moment), I’m relatively new to digital photography. I recently scanned a number of my older 5" x 7" prints & after a bit of basic manipulation in PS7 would like to get them printed. They were scanned at 1200 ppi, & resized to 16.25" x 11.75". 4 are grayscale, 1 is RGB. They are .tif files, the grayscales are about 270 meg, the RGB about 600 meg. I am having trouble though finding someone to print these as I would like. There appear to be 2 types of businesses that do this, "photo labs" in places like camera shops & drug stores, none of which I have contacted are able to print at over 300 dpi, some only 72, & commercial places that are not interested in dealing with small quantities. Frankly, I’m not even sure I NEED resolution higher than 300, though these are images I plan to frame for display & which I am proud of, and I want the best image possible. Also, I have read that if the file is 1200 ppi, the printer should be at least twice this, or more. Am I off base on the resolution thing? Any helpful input appreciated.

TIA

Dan
For inkjet printers, the customary setting is between 200 and 300 ppi. If you can see the difference between these settings, your eyes are better than mine (which could easily be the case).
I do my own printing for the reasons you mentioned and others as well. Jim
DG
damnsummerhas gone
Oct 7, 2006
On Sat, 07 Oct 2006 15:09:47 GMT, "Jim" wrote:

"Dan" wrote in message
Though I have had several darkrooms in my life (none at the moment), I’m relatively new to digital photography. I recently scanned a number of my older 5" x 7" prints & after a bit of basic manipulation in PS7 would like to get them printed. They were scanned at 1200 ppi, & resized to 16.25" x 11.75". 4 are grayscale, 1 is RGB. They are .tif files, the grayscales are about 270 meg, the RGB about 600 meg. I am having trouble though finding someone to print these as I would like. There appear to be 2 types of businesses that do this, "photo labs" in places like camera shops & drug stores, none of which I have contacted are able to print at over 300 dpi, some only 72, & commercial places that are not interested in dealing with small quantities. Frankly, I’m not even sure I NEED resolution higher than 300, though these are images I plan to frame for display & which I am proud of, and I want the best image possible. Also, I have read that if the file is 1200 ppi, the printer should be at least twice this, or more. Am I off base on the resolution thing? Any helpful input appreciated.

TIA

Dan
For inkjet printers, the customary setting is between 200 and 300 ppi. If you can see the difference between these settings, your eyes are better than mine (which could easily be the case).
I do my own printing for the reasons you mentioned and others as well. Jim

I use an HP5550 and have printed at both 300 & 600 and I find there is a discernable difference between the two in Grayscale, but have noticed little difference in colour.

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