Digital Quality / Size / Printing (newbie ? warning)

[Daylon]

Okay, I'm looking for some guidelines on optimum size I can print from a digital file..

For example, I have a 7meg file that's roughly 4900x3300 pixels.. How large could I print that without noticeable pixelation?

I was hoping to print it at (hopefully) 20x30?

What's the general rules (file size / pixel size) for printing say:

12x18?
16x20?
18x24?
20x30?
24x24?
24x36?

According to RitzCamera online I can print 12x18, 20x30, and 24x36 without cropping... but I have no idea how the image will look at those two larger sizes...

I guess what I'm asking is there any way to know without printing it first?

[Michelle Allmon]

As long as your full-size image looks good, you can go that big and bigger and it will look fine.

[Daylon]

Well right.. it looks great on my computer at 100%... but that doesn't mean it's going to look good PRINTED at 20x30....

Originally Posted by Michelle Allmon

As long as your full-size image looks good, you can go that big and bigger and it will look fine.

[Daniel Bates]

Let me put it this way: I used to own a 1D Mark I. That is a four megapixel camera, and it prints 20x30s just fine.

[Wes]

I once saw a 24x36 print from an image that came out of a 6.1mp Nikon D50. It was tack sharp. Of course, you have to START with a tack sharp image. Little imperfections in the photo become more magnified the larger you print.

[LORatliff]

With 7 mp, you'll be fine. Check this out: http://www.colorservices.com/index.asp?p=7477 :)

This Imaging Resource article is a good one that explains what goes into printing - http://www.imaging-resource.com/TIPS/PRINT1/PRINT1A.HTM

[Daylon]

Thanks! That's exactly the kind of "quick and dirty" chart I needed!

D.

Originally Posted by LORatliff

With 7 mp, you'll be fine. Check this out: http://www.colorservices.com/index.asp?p=7477 :)

This Imaging Resource article is a good one that explains what goes into printing - http://www.imaging-resource.com/TIPS/PRINT1/PRINT1A.HTM