Set resolution for MPIX printing?

[JohnT]

Do I need to be concerned about the resolution of an image that I'm going to send to MPIX for printing, or will they change it to what's necessary? Is there anything else I need to be aware of before ordering?

[Daniel Bates]

As long as you think you have enough resolution to print it, just send it in. The only thing you have to watch is aspect ratio; they have a resizer to fit the pixel dimensions to the physical dimensions.

If your monitor is calibrated, make sure you UNcheck "color correct my shots".

--Daniel

[JohnT]

Thanks, Daniel. I need to get a good book on preparing images for printing. I know so very little about it.

[PeteQ]

Originally Posted by Daniel Bates

As long as you think you have enough resolution to print it, just send it in. The only thing you have to watch is aspect ratio; they have a resizer to fit the pixel dimensions to the physical dimensions.

If your monitor is calibrated, make sure you UNcheck "color correct my shots".

--Daniel

Daniel, I really don't think that's a good piece of advice.. "As long as you think..." You don't even know what size he wants it ouput too, etc. While most printer RIPs will do resizing, it is important to start with a minimum recommended file size in order to get the best image. Resolution such as 300dpi means little, it is the pixel dimensions that are important when it comes to printing and resizing. These dimensions will determine how much up/downsizing is necessary, not the dpi count.

John, here's a link to their help section. http://www.mpix.com/help.aspx Under the "Tips for great images" section there is a guide for recomended file size for desired print sizes.

[Daniel Bates]

True. But I can print nice-looking large pictures from my 4-megapixel 1D... my point is that you don't have to have the "perfect" pixel dimensions to make a good-looking print.

[PeteQ]

And my point is that I think it is important to give someone something factual when they are asking for it, rather than an off the cuff opinion, especially when the answer is about five mouse clicks away.

Now armed with the recommended file size a person can make an informed decision if they want to puush things a bit. Maybe not a big deal with a $5 print, but what if he was looking to get a 20x30 framed print and spent $100 because he figured he "had enoungh" after reading your post only to find out it looks like doo-doo because he sent the 200 x 300 pixel file to them and just let them have at it?

[PeteQ]

John, different printers need different amounts of info to make a good print. Here's a link to a good article on resolution that should answer some questions about printing, etc.

http://www.luminous-landscape.com/tu...solution.shtml

[Daniel Bates]

That's where I trust his common sense. John has been around here for a while, and I'm sure he knows that a 20x30 needs more than 200 by 300 pixels...

I don't want to turn this into a war of any sort, but there is no hard and fast minimum file size or pixel dimension for a print at any given size. It depends on so many things (what the picture is, who is going to view it, and at what distance, etc) that giving a "it must be xxxx by xxxx pixels" or "it must be xxx megabytes" answer is an oversimplification.

[JohnT]

Thanks, Pete. I checked there before posting but obviously overlooked the info that I needed. Appreciate it.

[PeteQ]

Originally Posted by Daniel Bates

It depends on so many things (what the picture is, who is going to view it, and at what distance, etc) that giving a "it must be xxxx by xxxx pixels" or "it must be xxx megabytes" answer is an oversimplification.

Exactly.... And your "As long as you think you have enough" answer fails to even touch on any of the above. Perhaps if you would have taken a few minutes to put all the information you are using to defend your initial post into your initial post this thread would be several posts shorter......

[Daniel Bates]

I'll do that in the future... Thanks for calling it to my attention, Pete.