Yes we can print photos. But not photos taken in the 80s with an old film camera that has been sitting in your glovebox for 30 years.
Large quality photos require serious quality.
We can not print screenshots - images from facebook and probably not random photos found on the web - although many have tried it just will not work.
When printing large format images need to be print ready. The average Joe probably does not know what image resolution to use for large format printing that will achieve the best results. There’s much more that goes into large format printing than when using a basic office printer.
What Is the Best Resolution for Printing?
The first step in setting up your large format printing projects is to select the right image resolution for large format printing. For digital design, you'll measure image resolution in dots per inch (dpi). This is the number of dots that appear within an inch of a printed image. But dpi should not be confused with ppi, or pixels per inch. While dpi is the specific number of dots printed on a page, ppi refers to the number of pixels within an inch on a computer screen. In short, while ppi applies specifically to digital images, dpi relates to printed images.
The best large format printing resolution is a minimum of 100 dpi. The traditional standard for smaller print jobs is around 300 dpi. However, larger files don't need a resolution this high because of the large file sizes. At 100 dpi, most large images will appear crisp and clear. Meanwhile, low-resolution images with lower dpi measurements will appear blurry because of their lower pixel count.
What Is the Best File Format for Large Format Printing?
In addition to image size, you'll need to consider the specific file format for your large format print. Many people tend to use file formats like JPG and PNG for digital images, which can be of high quality. But these aren't ideal for large format printing applications. The main issue you'll find with PNG and JPG is their limited colour and size conversions. They simply won't produce the kind of quality and clarity you need for a large format graphic.
When we use programmes like Adobe Illustrator or Photoshop, industry standard generally dictates PDF or TIFF files. The main benefit of PDF files is their versatility, with the ability to handle compression. At the same time, TIFF files are ideal if you need cross-compatibility, as they work with many types of design software. Generally, both of these file formats are suitable for most large format printing projects.
You can also follow certain guidelines based on the design tools you use. For example, if you're using Photoshop, you would want to create a full sign-sized PSD file that's a minimum of 75 dpi and export the completed image in TIFF format. When working in InDesign, you'd package your file with everything incorporated. This includes all raster image and vector files, a print-ready PDF, and all fonts.
Images from Image banks
We use shutterstock a lot with great success but every now and then one will come through that just doesn't work. We often don't know until we download it. If you find an image you like let us know before downloading it by giving us the ID number and your project dimensions so we can check it for you.
Large format printing is a skill and a lot of thought goes into it prior to print and of course a lot depends on what you accept or find acceptable - some people do not mind a 'softer' print while others want a sharp finish.
A rough guide for those in the know.
Maximum width of image at 4000 pixels / 300 ppi = 13.33 inches (33cm)
Maximum height: 3000 pixels / 300 ppi = 10 inches = (25cm)
This means that the largest you can print this image while maintaining high-quality resolution is about 13.33 x 10 inches.
However, you can still get great results from 200 ppi and often we print at 150 dpi (depending on the image).
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