Pre sending for printing preparation.

[BlueMR2]

Hi everyone, I want to try out printing some large photos while they are a bit cheaper at photobox.

I am just wondering what needs doing to the raw file and what is the best format to output from Aperture 3 for photobox. I think it can output 8 or 16 bit psd or tiff files.

I usually just crop and sharpen when i put them on the web, however i have no real experience of sharpening for print.

I have a couple of examples of what i may try at a 20"x8" size for starters.








Any help appreciated.

[Simpo Two]

IIRC Photobox only accept JPGs, but stand to be corrected.

Re size, send them as big as possible (pixel dimensions and file size).

[Gemm]

JPEG saved at highest quality is more than good enough to me.

[BlueMR2]

Thanks for the replys, how much sharpening would you add before saving as a jpeg.

[tim-b]

BlueMR2 said:

Thanks for the replys, how much sharpening would you add before saving as a jpeg.

Just do what looks right at 100% zoom, each image will have different requirements. I usually err on the side of not overdoing it though, an image that's a little soft is not jarring on the eye like one that's oversharpened IMHO

Also don't worry about jpg vs tiff, seriously life's too short . Max quality jpg will be completely indistinguishable from a tiff on paper, unless you're printing billboards!

Edited by tim-b on Sunday 3rd June 00:10

[MartinP]

I'd suggest not cropping quite so tight, especially for images 3,4 and 6. Photobox will lose a little bit off each edge of the image, so with your tight crops they're quite likely to cut off a little bit of the subject.

[BlueMR2]

Thanks for that, I'll recrop them all so they have a reasonable margin, they were just quickly done as an example.

I fancy one of the following big (40-45x30 inch) i'm not sure which though.
I like the way you can see the liquid being sucked into the throttle bodies, however the exhaust smoke gets in the way of half the picture so its not as crisp.

I am going to get a copy of the bottom one done anyway though.