Question about printing...

DeVore

I have a pic which is roughly 3500 x 5000 pixels. What's the biggest I can print that out ad still have decent quality. (I don't know what quality is normal, but whatever it is, that )

I'm looking for something poster size. When I googled this it seems to suggest 180 ppi and that it will be about 19x28 inches... Is that accurate? Is it a question of simply dividing the dimensions by the ppi?

Thanks, I don't often print so I know shag all about it but have tried to educate myself.

sineadw

Yep, kinda. 360 ppi is optimal for most printers, but 180 is grand for stuff that's not expected to be exhibition grade. You can also enlarge using photoshop's interpolation (i think it's bicubic - not in front of pc though - the one that says 'best for enlargement' )

sineadw

Just to be clear, what's the print for? Is it for framing and hanging on your wall?

stcstc

i have comfortably printed over 40 inches from a file of that size.

BUT

it depends on the file, its its tack sharp and well processed etc you will be able to print bigger than something thats a little ropey, ie a litte soft or something

its not as simple as maths and depend on what its for etc too

Generally speaking, would I be right in saying that you can go to a much lower PPI when printing onto a canvas, as the canvas material will cause your image to not be very sharp anyway?

Or has the technology of canvas printing furthered itself to tack-sharp printing in recent years?

stcstc

any media with some texture tend to make images look a little softer, but also people tend to make canvases much bigger than photographic prints

this has the second effect of blowing up stuff bigger than you should

DeVore

sineadw wrote: »

Just to be clear, what's the print for? Is it for framing and hanging on your wall?

Yep!

sineadw

hmm.. You'll want it nice then Does it *have* to be big? It's not that you can't, mind you..

DeVore

sineadw wrote: »

hmm.. You'll want it nice then Does it *have* to be big? It's not that you can't, mind you..

No it doesn't have to be big. I'd like it as big as it can be but quality first I guess.

Is 180 ppi good for "over the mantlepiece" prints? Or should I be thinking 360?

stcstc

go to the right printer and framer and dont worry about the pixels, they will handle it for you properly

that way you can just worry about taking the pictures

DeVore

stcstc wrote: »

go to the right printer and framer and dont worry about the pixels, they will handle it for you properly

that way you can just worry about taking the pictures

You know, that sounds like a plan. Do we have a thread of good printers or any suggestions?

All the same, it's good to understand these things so the dialogue here is good too!

EyeBlinks

There's a chap who is on here an odd time ..stcstc or something like that :P

stcstc

thanks tommie:-)

DeVore

sure if you want some help, give me a shout and pop out to my shop. can help by doing test prints etc

can also show you frames etc. and we can make what size you need

magicbastarder

stcx2, do you do purely photographic printing?
let's say 'someone i know' wants wedding invites printed, b&w on matte card, would i be able to direct them towards you?

stcstc

not really something i do, there are tons of places doing stuff like that at below cost

i dont just do photographic printing but commercial type printing isnt my gig really