Preparing your files for printing

Resolution

The first step in creating your own print files is to resize the original file to the final print size using one of the resolutions recommended below.

• The image file should be 180, 240, 300, or 360 pixels per inch (ppi) at the final print size.
• If you have a lot of fine detail in the image, 300 ppi or 360 ppi is recommended.
• Smaller prints are generally viewed at a closer distance than larger prints and should have a higher resolution.
• Images with a print size less than 16" x 20" should have a resolution of 360 ppi or 300 ppi.
• Images with a print size between 16" x 20" and 30" x 40" may have a resolution of 300 ppi or 240 ppi.
• Images with a final print size larger than 30" x 40" may have a resolution of 240 ppi or 180 ppi.

Clarity, sharpness, and colour correction.

The next step is to view the resized image at 100% on your monitor and check it inch by inch to decide whether it is good enough to move forward. As you go through the image, correct any defects. Next, the image should be sharpened and colour corrected.

We recommend hardware profiling your monitor with a colorimeter and working in a standard colour space to have predictable colour in your final prints.

File Formats

TIFF or Photoshop files are preferred. First-generation jpgs are acceptable. We accept most publishing files such as Illustrator, Quark and PDF.

The images should be tagged with your working colour space. We recommend "Adobe RGB (1998)" for colour and "Gray Gamma 2.2" for gray-scale. RGB is preferred, although CMYK is acceptable.

Proofs

It is a good idea to print your own proof to show the colour, tone, highlight and shadow detail you wish to see in your final print. We will match your proof as closely as possible.

Note that different media and ink may alter colour balance, gamut, d-max and saturation.

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