adding pixels or not?

BA
Posted By
Brian_A_Chapman
Aug 7, 2007
Views
245
Replies
3
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Closed
I frequently get asked to use images which are physically (say) 150 cm x 90cm at 72dpi which I need to use for printed artwork. Using image size – can I reduce the physical size to 50cm x 30cm but now ask for 300 dpi. Am I adding dots or just being stupid?

Thanks in advance
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SP
Sid_Phillips
Aug 7, 2007
You’d be adding some "fake" pixels, but not a large number. If you reduce the size without resampling you get about 216 ppi. Unless somebody specifically needs an image that reports its resolution as 300 ppi then I would just resize without resampling and use the "true" resolution.

It’s always best to resize without interpolation if you can avoid it.
BA
Brian_A_Chapman
Aug 7, 2007
Thanks Sid – will use the true resolution as you suggest although some printers do whinge if the pics are not 300 dpi – I always wondered whether what I was doing was correct – meant to ask my tutor but one of the things I never got around to – BC
SP
Sid_Phillips
Aug 7, 2007
I have designers and printers who go nuts when they receive an image that reports it’s only 72 ppi, but actual size is 3200×2500 pixels (about a 23MB file). It’s only going to be a 2 or 3 inch image on the page so it’s really a 1600 ppi or 1000 ppi image. They just don’t get it. Or when all I have is a 150 ppi image at 4×5 – I send them 300 ppi interpolated and they gush over how great it prints. It’s basically the same image padded with fake pixels…

But as long as the customer’s happy, right?

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