Scanning Resolution

[Larry]

Need some help with scanning resolution. I'm using an HP 5470, and printing on an Epson 1280. I want to scan an old photo - about 2x3, and print it as a 5x7. What resolution do I need to set the scanner to? Thanks.

Larry

[Ed_L]

Larry,

I would suggest scanning it at a resolution of 600 if you have an *optical* resolution high enough. Do not use interpolated resolution, as you don't gain any *real* information. If you only have optical resolution of 300, use that. You might be satisfied with the results. Good luck.

Ed

[jeaniesa]

Hi Larry,

You'll most likely want to print the final 5x7 at 300 dpi for the best quality, so work backwards from that final size to figure out what resolution to scan at. In actual pixels, that final size would be 1500x2100. To figure out the scan resolution, divide the original size into those numbers, i.e. 1500/2=750dpi and 2100/3=700dpi. Use the higher number - 750 dpi - to scan at. Then "resize" the image in Photoshop (or whatever image program you use) keeping the actual size in pixels, but changing the dpi to 300. That should give you at 5x7.5" image.

It may also be possible with the HP scanner to specify the final size (5x7") you want and let the scanner figure out the correct resolution. I think either will work.

Jeanie

[jeaniesa]

What Ed said is true also. If your scanner's highest optical resolution is 600dpi, scan at that and then resize the image dpi to 240 - that should get you a 5x7 image. In most cases, the naked eye can't tell a difference between an image printed at 240 dpi vs 300 dpi.

Jeanie

[Larry]

Thanks all for the info. For Jeainie --- The Epson 1280 can print at 1440 and 2880 dpi. I was going to print at 1440 dpi. Should I do the math using that number, or is 300 dpi just the same?

Larry

[jeaniesa]

Larry, I don't own the Epson, but what I've gathered from other people is that printing a 300dpi image on the Epson printer at 1440 produces outstanding results. You do not want to work with at 1440 dpi image - that would be a HUGE file and overkill. I think the difference here (and someone please correct me if I'm wrong) is that the printer resolution is actually "lpi" or "lines per inch" - which is the resolution it can put dots/lines down on the paper. Does that make sense? -Jeanie

[Larry]

Jeanie,

Forgive me for being so dumb but, I should set the scanner to scan at 300 dpi as opposed to 800 or 1200 say, and that would be quite sufficient.

Larry

PS.. I like the little thumbnails that appear under yours and others names. How do I go about adding one?

[jeaniesa]

Hi Larry,

You're not being dumb. This is a confusing topic - esp. when I try to throw all these numbers at you and expect you to pick out what you need. (Just ask DJ how that worked for her. )

You'll need to scan at a higher resolution than 300dpi if you want the final image to be larger than your original. What you want is your FINAL image to be printed at 300dpi. You said that you wanted to enlarge a 2x3 to a 5x7. In that case, I would scan at 750 (or 800 if that's one of your choices). That will get you the actual pixel size you need to print a 5x7 at 300dpi. But, remember to then resize the image in Photoshop (or whatever program you use) to make it 5x7 at 300dpi - otherwise when you go to print it, you'll get a 2x3 image printed at 750dpi.

If I've confused you more, just say so and I'll try to start over.

Jeanie

[jeaniesa]

Thumbnails aka avatars

The thumbnails under many of our names are called avatars. Some of us (like me) have created our own. Others have chosen one from a fairly large number of options. To set up one for yourself, click on the "user cp" tab up top, then click on the "edit options" button near the top of that page. At the very bottom of the "edit options" page, you'll see a section pertaining to your avatar. I think it's pretty straight forward from there. Let us know if you run into any difficulty.

Jeanie

[Larry]

Jeannie,

Understand. Thanks. I.ll let you know how it came out. I do use Photoshop by the way.

Larry

[Larry]

Jeanie,

By the way, what part of Colorado are you in. I used to live in Cheyenne, Wyo. Haven't been back there in quite a while, and I'm sure it's changed quite a bit. Still have a couple of friends in Leadville, Colo.

Larry

[jeaniesa]

Check out the thread I just started in Salon entitled "Regards from northern Colorado". I live just outside of Fort Collins, pretty darn close to Cheyenne.

Where is Glen Cove in NY? I grew up in NJ - 60 miles south of NYC. Went to school in Vermont (UVM).

Jeanie

[George]

I am using the Epson 1270 and I had same questions in reference to what resolution I should be printing at. Contacted Epson and after a lot of e-mails I got to an engineer who advised me to use 240 or 360 as the resolution when I printed out photographs. I scan the photographs , slides or negatives at the highest resolution available on my scanner. I then use GF software to resize it and set the printing resolution.

I normally use 240, which usually provides all the detail I want, but when I am looking to print small details I use 360. The problem with using 360 is the large files.

George

[jeaniesa]

Well now, someone who actually has "official" information! Thanks for piping up George!

And welcome to the RetouchPro forums!!

Jeanie

[Larry]

Jeanie,

Glen Cove is on the north shore of Long Island, just east of Port Washington, if you know where that is. Pretty area. Looks just like New England, in the fall when you get onto some of the back roads. Vermont is my favorite place on the east coast. We have a place up near Stowe.

And actually, I did wander into the Salon after I wrote my question -- silly me!

Larry