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A
Andy_Baz
Inspiring
September 12, 2022
Question

Upscaling artwork/images

  • September 12, 2022
  • 4 replies
  • 410 views

I'm looking to get people's thoughts and experiences with software or techniques for upscaling artwork and images.

 

I am having to produce lots of artwork lately for extra large format posters and displays and wondered what the general practice is for doing so, i've read some people simply increase resolution via photoshop to try and counter low res output but also been reading that there is plenty of upscaling software out there, and wondered what the benefits of using these might be?

 

I welcome any information from the community

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4 replies

A
Andy_BazAuthor
Inspiring
September 12, 2022

I don't currently have a specific case study to share with you.

I was just looking for general info from people who have used upscaling software who could share their thoughts on when it was useful to use, as in at what point do you make the decision to upscale an image, what the pros and cons were and whether it was a worthwhile investment.

 

A typical use case may be a customer wanting an A5 poster blown up to A0, however, the A5 poster only being supplied as a 150dpi jpg containing colour photos...i know in this instance using our printers we could probably get away with this artwork as far up as A2 but beyond that what software or methods would be used to get the best possible output

 

Randy Hagan
Community Expert
Randy HaganCommunity Expert
Community Expert
September 12, 2022

I got ya. I think you've got to consider there are realistic limits to what any upsampling solution can do.

 

Even the fanciest of "AI-engine, next-generation" of upsampling software is making guesses at what should be put between two existing pixels in your original image. No matter how fancy the algorithms are, you're going to find a point where edge definition is going to suffer. Unless you're shooting for that Bob Guccione-vaseline smeared camera effect for your output, I'd suggest that expecting quality results from a 150ppi image blown up 600-700% is a crapshoot.

 

At those percentages, I think I'd take a shot (literally) with a process camera first then try the magic software solutions. And cross my fingers. Then charge production fees. Jus' sayin' ...

 

Randy

    Randy Hagan
    Community Expert
    Randy HaganCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    September 12, 2022

    I'd also seriously consider what Peter Spier offers above. Given enough distance from the final job, bigger halftone spots on the output are generally a safer solution than artificially adding more pixels to create more of them.

      Randy Hagan
      Community Expert
      Randy HaganCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      September 12, 2022

      Certainly we can all offer our opinions, but just like ... well, let's just say everyone has one. And while there are lots of sharp folks around here, I'd suggest in this instance even our best opinions wouldn't be worth much because we can't offer informed ones. We don't know how you're producing your work, what scales you're working at, or which vendors, using what processes, are producing them.

       

      So the folks I'd suggest you ask are the ones producing your large-format posters and displays. They know what their equipment is, what their capabilities are, and how to get the best results for your needs. Plus, they have a vested interest in making sure you get quality results, so you keep bringing them more business. And if they're good, and produce lots of quality work, they've seen just about everything under the sun to try and produce quality results. With varying degrees of success. Truly, those folks would be your best source for information about what works, and what doesn't.

       

      Hope this helps,

       

      Randy

        Peter Spier
        Community Expert
        Peter SpierCommunity Expert
        Community Expert
        September 12, 2022

        You may not need as much resolution as you might think...

        Distance-Resolution Formula

        That said, in years gone by I used Genuine Fractals and was pretty happy, but Photoshop has evolved to the point where I don't see much difference anymore.

        BobLevine
        Community Expert
        BobLevineCommunity Expert
        Community Expert
        September 12, 2022

        Without knowing the original image quality and what you actually need nobody can answer this. Some large format printing can be done at as little as 25ppi and if the image is large enough, there might be no need to even worry about it.

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