Printing resolutions and file types.

[Juli@n]

Hi everyone, I am new here but just love PI http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/smile.gif

I have a question for all you learned people, I have made a flyer that is 540 x 735 pixels, there is only 3 colours in the page but I do not know what resolution to set the image for the printers...I cannot find any info in regards to resolutions vs image sizes in the manual or help files...please help.

And I would also like to know what format is the general accepted file type for sending to the printers ? I was told .tiff, is this correct ?

<center>http://www.juliansgraphics.com/sigs/madcow017.jpg</center>

[Juli@n]

Hi everyone, I am new here but just love PI http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/smile.gif

I have a question for all you learned people, I have made a flyer that is 540 x 735 pixels, there is only 3 colours in the page but I do not know what resolution to set the image for the printers...I cannot find any info in regards to resolutions vs image sizes in the manual or help files...please help.

And I would also like to know what format is the general accepted file type for sending to the printers ? I was told .tiff, is this correct ?

<center>http://www.juliansgraphics.com/sigs/madcow017.jpg</center>

[Grafixman]

Tiff is ok. However, the image seems too small. What is the physical dimension of the flyer(inches)? At what resolution will it be printed? At 300 dpi, it would just be 1.8 by 2.45 inch! Printing at lower dpi would make the dimensions bigger but would also lower the quality of the image. Maybe you could remake it at the actual size(inches) and higher dpi. It would make a bigger file, but the result will be a smoother image. If it is a picture and you don't have a higher resolution copy, maybe you could try S-Spline?

[Juli@n]

Thanks Grafixman,

Sorry I work in metric down here in NZ, the physical sizing in metric is 14cm x 19.5cm...in Imperial it is 5.625 inches x 7.656 inches, I have the resolution set at the absolute maximum in PI XL 32000 I think, the file is around 16mb as a .ufo file so it's big but as they always say "size doesn't matter" (especially with cheap cdrw's)

Is matching resolution crucial to the final image size ?... I mean does it have to be a specific resolution for this size ? can I have the resolution maxed out and the image the original size and will it then print properly ?

<center>http://www.juliansgraphics.com/sigs/madcow017.jpg</center>

[Grafixman]

I thought your image was 540 x 735 pixels?
http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/confused.gif

You don't have to set your resolution that high. 300 is quite enough. More would just unnecessarily bloat your file. Since you're printing at 14 x 19.5 cm, at 300 dpi would give you a file 1984 x 2764 pixels. When you're doing something to be printed, first set the dpi, then set the physical dimensions (inch or mm). That way, you'd have enough number of pixels for fine printing. Doing it the other way around, setting the dimensions in pixels then increasing the dpi would just shrink the printed version.
As for the resolution, ask the printer's opinion. But I think 300 is acceptable for most cases. You can sometimes get away with less, but sometimes you need more.