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juliej77870758
juliej77870758
Participant
February 10, 2016
Answered

When exporting to JPEG text becomes pixelated when printed

  • February 10, 2016
  • 5 replies
  • 25673 views

I have created some text art in Illustrator that I would like to print out as a poster. Whenever I save the file as a PDF (300 DPI) and print it myself the text appears crisp with no pixelation. However, I want the poster to be 18x24, which I can't do with my basic printer so when I print it I'm only printing out part of the picture, but regardless the lines are perfectly clear.

I would be fine with leaving it as a PDF, however, I've noticed most all print shops request a JPEG file for prints, which I can't figure out because based on what I've read online, JPEG files automatically reduce quality. Whenever I export the same file as a JPEG (300 PPI) the text becomes pixelated.

  Is there anyway I can export this file as a JPEG and not lose quality?

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer d0nut247

if your document is set up at 1:1 scale at the final output size then 300 dpi jpeg should look ok, as long as you choose to 'export' it from the file menu, DO NOT use the save for web option which will output at 72dpi.

make sure you 'document setup' is 1:1 scale in the right units. so make it 18x24 and make sure your text is at the size you want on that area.

then chose file - export

and choose jpeg

then in the next window that pops up make sure you choose at least 300 dpi (it can be higher if your computer has enough ram etc to process it)

id choose colour model RGB if you are printing at the type for place that asks for a jpeg. and make sure that the 'quality' slider is all the way to the right for best quality compression.

if its really not workign out then you could try sending them a tiff instead, which wont have any compression artifacts (you can zip it to reduce file size after you save it)

most low effort copy shops can usually work with tif or jpeg if they are avoiding pdf for some reason.

5 replies

T
Test Screen Name
Legend
February 10, 2016

JPEG will reduce the quality, by design. That's what it is supposed to do. Also, fixing at 300 ppi will reduce the quality of text; on a basic printer at least 600 ppi is needed to look good, preferably device resolution.

I think it's more a question of

(a) some shops expect their main business to be printing photos; clearly JPEG is as good as anything else

(b) some shops don't deal with discerning customers.

(c) there is money to be made in this simple model, because JPEGs just "always work".

If you want a poster with text, find a shop which takes more than JPEG.

Kris Hunt
Kris Hunt
Legend
February 10, 2016

I've noticed most all print shops request a JPEG file for prints

I agree with Willi. This is hard to believe. If true, find another printer. That's crazy.

Willi Adelberger
Community Expert
Willi AdelbergerCommunity Expert
Community Expert
February 10, 2016

I don't believe you, that the printers don't accept PDFs. Use only PDF if you go to print.

Any rasterization will cause pixelation. If you print a PDF with true vectors, the resolution will be done with the printers resolution, maybe 2400dpi, if you bring a JPG it can only be printed with the image's resolution which is 300ppi. This fact alone shows that JPG printing is never a good idea for text.

If the chosen printer does not accept PDFs, take another one, there are many which are happy to serve you.

    Monika Gause
    Community Expert
    Monika GauseCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    February 10, 2016

    In case you applied raster effects to the text, make sure the document raster effects resolution is set to an appropriate value.

      D
      d0nut247Correct answer
      Inspiring
      February 10, 2016

      if your document is set up at 1:1 scale at the final output size then 300 dpi jpeg should look ok, as long as you choose to 'export' it from the file menu, DO NOT use the save for web option which will output at 72dpi.

      make sure you 'document setup' is 1:1 scale in the right units. so make it 18x24 and make sure your text is at the size you want on that area.

      then chose file - export

      and choose jpeg

      then in the next window that pops up make sure you choose at least 300 dpi (it can be higher if your computer has enough ram etc to process it)

      id choose colour model RGB if you are printing at the type for place that asks for a jpeg. and make sure that the 'quality' slider is all the way to the right for best quality compression.

      if its really not workign out then you could try sending them a tiff instead, which wont have any compression artifacts (you can zip it to reduce file size after you save it)

      most low effort copy shops can usually work with tif or jpeg if they are avoiding pdf for some reason.

      Willi Adelberger
      Community Expert
      Willi AdelbergerCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      February 10, 2016

      dandiddotcom schrieb:

      if your document is set up at 1:1 scale at the final output size then 300 dpi jpeg should look ok, as long as you choose to 'export' it from the file menu, DO NOT use the save for web option which will output at 72dpi.

      make sure you 'document setup' is 1:1 scale in the right units.

      then chose file - export

      and choose jpeg

      then in the next window that pops up make sure you choose at least 300 dpi (it can be higher if your computer has enough ram etc to process it)

      id choose colour model RGB if you are printing at the type for place that asks for a jpeg. and make sure that the 'quality' slider is all the way to the right for best quality compression.

      if its really not workign out then you could try sending them a tiff instead, which wont have any compression artifacts (you can zip it to reduce file size after you save it)

      most low effort copy shops can usually work with tif or jpeg if they are avoiding pdf for some reason.

      Wrong, wrong, wrong.

      A printer has a higher resolution than 300dpi.

      An image resolution is measured in PPI, not in DPI.

      Avoid JPG for printing, please don't give wrong advices.

        D
        d0nut247
        Inspiring
        February 10, 2016

        It's not wrong, wrong, wrong, its a quick simple set of checks to try and help someone out.

        it's mostly useful answer to the original question., and clearly an answer to question by someone who is going to need to do some additional searching to understand the dpi, ppi, lpi etc. I'm just try gin to give a useful run down to ensure they get a file that works and an answer to the question.

        if you go to some random "call kwik" or "snappy snaps" "boots / tesco" all manner of high street places someone might go for a print bigger than their desktop to get a print locally, they will often ask for jpeg only,

        many of them only want to work with jpeg, and 300dpi (this type of copy shop will ask of dpi not ppi) is totally fine to output a poster at 24x18. also at this size, illustrator will baulk at the request to output at a higher resolution on many systems.

        sure if you are using an actual 'printer business' for professional output of a proper print run, then steer clear of someone who only takes jpeg. but you can get  totally fine result with one. I think sometimes its east to get carried away with the idea that everyone who uses Illustrator is doing professional print set up for litho print etc.

        Hopefully my answer is helpful as to the actual question of the jpeg being a bit rough looking, and how to get one that isn't. sure you can 'not believe' that the printer wants jpeg, but if that is actually the case then my answer might be useful.

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