Best way to resize pix for printing at a lab?

[Marni48]

When you scan photos and save as a tif that gives you a huge file for archiving, but if you want to send it out to print, the lab only will print a little over a 1 mg file. If I use the resize wizard in PS 7 (under help menu) what settings should be used? It asks you what type of halftone screen LPI will be used to print your image, and then it gives you choices of 150 200 or other.

They only accept .jpg files so I need to make the conversion, what would be the best way?

Thanks

[Swampy]

Save a copy as a high resolution JPEG at the correct size (5x7, 4x6, etc). Do keep your original TIFF or PSD.

[mistermonday]

If the limit is only 1MB, the 1st thing I would do is find another photo lab. Is there a Costco near your home? They do really excellent work and will acceot files as large a 8MBe each on line. They even offer free ICC profiles for their Noritsu printers.
If you have no other choice but a 1M limit, size your image to the print size at a 300 dpi resolution and Save As a jpg starting at setting 12 and keep lowering it until the preview window shows a file size that drops below 1MB.
Regards, Murray

[Swampy]

A Costco? LOLOLOLOLOL We are so far in the boondocks we are lucky to have a Wal Mart. Well actually we don't even have a Wal Mart, it's 40 miles up the road.

[cardmnal]

If the limit is only 1MB, the 1st thing I would do is find another photo lab

I think Murry hit the nail on the head with that remark. We don't like files under 1MB at our lab. We tell our (very happy) customers bigger is better-and we like to see TIFFS when possible.....Then again I guess if we were simply a 1 hour lab things would be different.

A Costco? LOLOLOLOLOL We are so far in the boondocks we are lucky to have a Wal Mart. Well actually we don't even have a Wal Mart, it's 40 miles up the road.

Swampy, our closest Wally World is about 90 miles away.




Alan

[Swampy]

Actually, I'm no Walmart fan. I'm just as glad it's some distance away. They are currently building a third "version" in our area in less than 20 years. Walmart just keeps leaving empty huge buildings scattered around that stand empty and unused for years. What's up with that?

[Marni48]

Hi Dee Dee

I heard we MIGHT be getting a Target (tarjeeeeeh). I will be doing the happy dance of joy!!!!! I am going to try to call you this week for a coffee

Marni

[Swampy]

Okee doke, Marni. I want to hear all about that new monitor.

[Stephen A]

I'm not sure about Cosco or Target - but I know Walmart doesn't do any sort of color correction. If you don't have the software to correct your photos you should find a privately owned printing business.

I work at a locally owned photolab, and I can tell you that even if you DO color correct your photos you may want to find a place that does color corrections anyways - sure those extra couple of cents (Canadian) may add up on each print... but in the end all of your photos are color corrected by someone who's been doing it for a while.

Besides, the machines need to be calibrated daily... sometimes they're very accurate, sometimes they're off a touch - enough to notice. The technician printing your work will know this and be able to make sure your prints are done correctly.

I don't know about EVERY walmart but I know the local ones have poorly trained or inexperienced individuals mixing their chemicals, which results in bad colors - and even worse, your prints could fade in years or even MONTHS on account of these poorly mixed chemicals. And hey, you're supporting your local economy when you buy from a private shop... and you get to know the people, which is always nice :p

[mistermonday]

Stephen, none of those photo labs you mentioned manage color, so the customer needs to do it right. However, that being said, there is a way to get consistent accurate prints and here is one example.
Costco labs use high end Noritsu printing systems. Most locations have two sets of equipment. One is set up for the consumer that knows nothing about color management. It reads the customer file and does auto correction of contrast and color and resizes if necessary. Then there is a 2nd set of equipment which processes the files with no corrections whatsoever for those customers and professionals who can properly prepare files. Now here comes the good part. You can go to http://www.drycreek.com and download free ICC profiles for the exact equipment at every Costco,. These are professionally accurate and reliable. After editing your image you convert a copy of it to the ICC profile for that location and that is the image you upload (if you use the online ordering). You need to be sure when you fill in the online order that you check the box that says NO ADJUSTMENTS (or CORRECTIONS). You images print exactly as they look (assuming a reasonably accurate monitor and the image converted to the printer profile). They print on Fuji Archival Paper with archival inks, so they will last decades longer in the sunlight than you or I will.
Many of the other Big Box labs use the same equipment. Some are run by inexperienced, unknowledgeable people, others are run by 3rd party professionals - you need to check out who you are dealing with. I am not sure where in Canada you live, but if it is in any of the major cities you might want to try Costco. I was not happy with the others. There are also some labs which oversize your image by 5% to compensate for not being able to align the printer to the media. That is totally unacceptable.
Regards, Murray

[Wolfman]

Originally Posted by mistermonday

Stephen, none of those photo labs you mentioned manage color, so the customer needs to do it right. However, that being said, there is a way to get consistent accurate prints and here is one example.
Costco labs use high end Noritsu printing systems. Most locations have two sets of equipment. One is set up for the consumer that knows nothing about color management. It reads the customer file and does auto correction of contrast and color and resizes if necessary. Then there is a 2nd set of equipment which processes the files with no corrections whatsoever for those customers and professionals who can properly prepare files. Now here comes the good part. You can go to http://www.drycreek.com and download free ICC profiles for the exact equipment at every Costco,. These are professionally accurate and reliable. After editing your image you convert a copy of it to the ICC profile for that location and that is the image you upload (if you use the online ordering). You need to be sure when you fill in the online order that you check the box that says NO ADJUSTMENTS (or CORRECTIONS). You images print exactly as they look (assuming a reasonably accurate monitor and the image converted to the printer profile). They print on Fuji Archival Paper with archival inks, so they will last decades longer in the sunlight than you or I will.
Many of the other Big Box labs use the same equipment. Some are run by inexperienced, unknowledgeable people, others are run by 3rd party professionals - you need to check out who you are dealing with. I am not sure where in Canada you live, but if it is in any of the major cities you might want to try Costco. I was not happy with the others. There are also some labs which oversize your image by 5% to compensate for not being able to align the printer to the media. That is totally unacceptable.
Regards, Murray

Murray......... just one correction about Costco..... they do print on Fuji Archival paper, but it is photographic paper, not inkjet with archival inks.

[rmx101]

Have a look at the online solution from Pixelide.com It handles all kinds of image files for printing. There's a ton of info on Pro. Prints section at www.pixelide.com/lab_prints.php

They offer online storage for large image files, without any size limits. Your original files are safe, never touched. The printing service is built into the Workspace. When you order any size print, and the service automatically converts your original / large JPEG file into a custom size JPEG - instantly at the original DPI. No need for resizing by hand.
Pixelide's online printing services includes a convenient custom crops feature as well. Prints are on Fuji Crystal Archival photo paper, sizes upto 30x40 inches.

No need to find Costco or Walmart .. Instead, get an online Workspace at Pixelide and order prints right from your office.

[jagerman]

If you are that far out and you do not do a large amount of printing (ie a pro lab will not take you as a customer). Then just buy a printer man. Epson, HP and Cannon all make affordable ($200-$500) printers that make nice, water resistant prints that will last a lifetime as long as you take care of them. If you are picky about your prints, there are some new printers these days that make incredible prints for around $1000 or so.

Good Luck!

[TommyO]

Marni,
You had asked about sizing your prints. Let’s address that for a moment. The dialog you mention is still available in CS2 or CS3, under the Help section, but is not often used. Most individuals will resize their images manually to ensure they control how pixels are added or subtracted. I would recommend you do not use the automated method; learn to resize your images manually.

The idea is to provide an image to the printer that will not have to be resized by them. If they resize the image smaller (downsample) there is going to be some pixel loss. You cannot control it, so the result is based upon the algorithm their software uses. If they are trained, it could be fine. If not, your image could look worse than you expected it to.

If they resize the image larger (upsample) there has to be additional pixels generated. Again, the same problem… and the same result.

Since you did not tell us what sizes you are dealing with, we have a hard time advising you. But, if you always resize your own images prior to sending to a print shop, you will have consistent results.

I usually use the following method when making dramatic changes in size, i.e. from a 4x6 to an 18x24. However, the reasoning is the same regardless.
Follow this basis scenario:

• - save your image and work on a copy;
• - in Photoshop, use the Image… Image Size command;
• - pick the longest side of your original scanned image, i.e. 3 inches;
• - Determine the pixel density for which you scanned the print, i.e. 600 dpi;
• - determine the length this side will become when printed, i.e. 7 inches;
• - Determine the pixel density the print shop printers print at, i.e. 300 dpi (for a professional shop you can simply call and they will tell you; for Walmarts and so on, you can assume 300 dpi up to 600 dpi is fine);
• - In this example, you have 3 inches x 600 pixels per inch = 1800 pixels along that side;
• - To avoid losing any pixels, you need 1800 pixels over 7 inches, or 1800/7 = 257 pixels per inch;

So, in Photoshop you would go to the Image… Image Size command. You can jump to the center dialog, where it is normally working with inches. Enter your longest dimension, i.e. 7 inches. Then enter your Resolution, i.e. 257 pixels/inch.

Your next choice is the Resampling method (at the bottom). Bicubic is the default and works well for small changes in size. It is also your best and only choice in Photoshop 7. However, after Photoshop CS two other algorithms were introduced. (Bicubic Smoother for enlarging, and Bicubic Sharper for downsampling.)

At this point, hit enter and examine your results. Zoom into the image to the point it is actually displayed at the same size you will be printing, in this case 5x7. The quality should be similar to your original and there should be no pixilation. Try a test print at home and ensure there are no other anomalies. At that point, you have the print sized correctly. Now it’s just a matter of how much compression when converting to .jpg will result in a file small enough for the printer to accept.

The general rule is to use as little compression as possible. That is because the compression is also generated by an algorithm that can toss out pixels. When the file is then reopened in a print shop application, it will be uncompressed. At that time their algorithm must decide how to replace those tossed out pixels. This can often result in unacceptable color spots in your image. However, most of the time, no one notices due to the small size of the print and limitation of our eyes. However, on a very large print, they can be very noticeable and can mean reprinting the image (at $20 a pop).

One more point. While your scan was a .tiff and you probably saved the file as an RGB color image, that is fine. Many people wonder... "what if the shop has CMYK printers ?". That's not usually a problem. Most professional printers today, while CMYK devices, are accustomed to accepting RGB images and have excellent conversion algorithms. You should not notice any difference in the color of your prints.

Sorry for this being so long. But, I hope it helps some. Good luck and let us know your results.