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Participating Frequently
May 6, 2020
Question

Why Does Print Module Export Increase File Size and 'Stroke' Borders

  • May 6, 2020
  • 11 replies
  • 3426 views

Help!! Im so confused . . . Does anybody have an explanation as to why when exporting from the Print module in Lightroom Classic, at 300dpi the file size has increased from 5.4 MB to 8.4 MB having added a white 'stroke' border?

Exporting not via the print module keeps it at 5.4 MB. Can't figure out why, what appears to be the same specificaitons gets two very different results?

Also, how big is 20 pts on the 'stroke' border in mm? Internet gives me so many different answers and is there a way to increase this so I know its 10mm?

A confused non-expert lightroom user!!

 

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11 replies

JohanElzenga
Community Expert
Community Expert
May 6, 2020

A digital file does not have any dimension in millimeters, so you can't really talk about a 10 mm wide border in a digital file. The resolution in ppi (not dpi) is only relevant when the file is printed. So if you would want to have a 10 mm wide border when printed, then the math would be as follows: Your print will be 300 pixels per inch. An inch is 25.4 mm. So in order to get a 10 mm wide border, that border needs to be 300/25.4*10=118 pixels wide. 

 

You can't compare the file sizes just like that. When you export your image via the export menu, you will export it at the original size (unless you resize it in the export dialog). When you print to file, you will print a file that has the dimensions of the chosen paper size, multiplied by the resolution in pixels per inch that you chose in the Print module. That could give quite a different size image. It could be smaller than the original, but it could also be bigger.

-- Johan W. Elzenga
Participating Frequently
May 14, 2020

Thank you Johan - this was very helpful!