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Megan220185251scd
Participant
November 30, 2021
Question

Will unchecking the "layers" box when saving a TIF file affect the quality of a print of the image?

  • November 30, 2021
  • 2 replies
  • 355 views

I am an artist creating files that I can send to a printer to create high quality prints.  The printer's upload system won't take more than 100MB.  I have a TIF file of my work that is 133MB.  I noticed that if I uncheck the "layers" box when I save the TIF file / check the "save as a copy" box, the file size falls to less than 100MB.  My question is:  Will unchecking this box change the overall quality of the print?  I know I won't have layers to play with in Photoshop, and that's fine.  I am only concerned with the quality of the print.  Thank you

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2 replies

Jeff Arola
Community Expert
Jeff ArolaCommunity Expert
Community Expert
November 30, 2021

The print quality shouldn't change between layers vs no layers.

 

In the photoshop elements editor you can view your image at 100% (actual pixels) and then go to Layer>Flatten Image and see if your image changes visually on the screen. How the image looks can sometimes change when flattened if certain layer blending modes have been used, but if you don't see any change after flattening your image, then it should be fine to save the tiff without layers for print.

 

You can see your image at 100% (actual pixels) by going to View>Actual Pixels or double clicking on the Zoom Tool icon in the toolbox.

 

File>Save for Web will not save as Tif files and also deletes the metadata that includes image resolution so i would not use Save for Web for your particular file.

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Megan220185251scdAuthor
Participant
November 30, 2021

This is very helpful - thank you

hatstead
hatstead
Inspiring
November 30, 2021

The quality of the print is detemined by the resolution of the file and by the physical printer.

For printing, the rule of thumb is for the resolution to be in the 240-300 px/in. range.

The print head of the printer determines the dots/in (DPI) output.

Other variables are the type of paper and ink (original manufacturer vs. generic).

If the goal is to get to 100 MB, I invariably go to File>save for web and you can readily change this parameter.  Be sure that the "Constrain Proportions" box is checked.

Does your commercial print shop identify the file format that they prefer?

 

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Megan220185251scdAuthor
Participant
November 30, 2021

Thank you for your response.  The files are set up exactly like the printer requires.  And I've gotten proofs printed at a size of 8.5x11 which came out well.  Now I have an order for 16x20 - so that's why the file size has gotten larger.  I don't want to change anything about how the file is set up for printing, but also want to get the file size down.  I'll look at file - save for web.  Thank you.  Will just unchecking the layers box not work? 

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