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How to export pdf 3x size of file due to 216-inch limit

Forum|Forum|8 years ago
January 2, 2018
3 replies
8945 views

I have an InDesign file at 294-inches by 72-inches (24.5-ft x 6-ft). I had to reduce the file by 1/3 size because InDesign limits it’s max working size to 216-inches and also because it made the file much easier to work with. Therefore, I working with a file that is 98-inches by 24-inches. The file consists of 2,979 3x3-inch images, which I’ve scanned individually at 300 dpi and placed in the file (linked, not embedded). I want to export the entire file as a PDF but I want to make sure that it’s at 300 dpi/full resolution once exported. I understand that each image within the file at 1/3 size has a working resolution at 900 dpi. Here’s where I’m confused: when I export the file at max resolution, the file exports at 98-inches by 24-inches. Although I’m not sure how to test this, I believe it exports at 900 dpi because when I enlarge the file, it seems to keep 300 dpi on screen. I do understand that screen resolution is different than print resolution, which is different than the working resolution within the file when reduced in size by 1/3. Here’s the question:

Is there any reason to believe that printing my exported pdf file at max resolution at three times the working file size file (thus, blowing up the 98-inches by 24-inches file to its full 294-inches by 72-inches) would result in less than 300 dpi resolution once printed?

Many thanks to anyone who can help.

Correct answer Dave Creamer of IDEAS

Just as an aside, you could have built the project full size. InDesign has an 216 in limit per page but can do up to 10 page spreads, so InDesign could create a 180 ft x 18 ft spread. When you output, just make sure it outputs as spreads, not pages.

As far as resolution goes, if you do work a 1/3 size, your images need to be 3 times the resolution requested by the print service. So if they asked for 300 ppi final resolution, your images need to be 900 (as was mentioned); if they asked for 150 ppi final res, yours need to be 450.

What is the print service asking for? When I have done banners, my vendor wanted the entire file as raster, including any text or vector art.

Dave Creamer of IDEAS

Correct answer

Community Expert

Just as an aside, you could have built the project full size. InDesign has an 216 in limit per page but can do up to 10 page spreads, so InDesign could create a 180 ft x 18 ft spread. When you output, just make sure it outputs as spreads, not pages.

As far as resolution goes, if you do work a 1/3 size, your images need to be 3 times the resolution requested by the print service. So if they asked for 300 ppi final resolution, your images need to be 900 (as was mentioned); if they asked for 150 ppi final res, yours need to be 450.

What is the print service asking for? When I have done banners, my vendor wanted the entire file as raster, including any text or vector art.

David Creamer: Community Expert (ACI and ACE 1995-2023)

BobLevine

Community Expert

You’d still need to be careful about the 200 inch limit in PDFs.

MW Design

Inspiring

You’d still need to be careful about the 200 inch limit in PDFs.

Unless one produces an eps or postscript and distill using a certain Distiller profile which sets the user units. But one still needs to check with the output provider to see if they can use it...all the large/grand format printers I have used can do so.

Jeff Witchel, ACI

Community Expert

I agree with Bob. The best advice you will get here is "call your printer." The only person who knows exactly what your printer needs is your printer.

BobLevine

Community Expert

If you’re working at 1/3 scale and need 300 ppi images, then the images need to be 900 ppi.

HOWEVER…there is zero reason I can think of to print something that large with that kind of resolution. I would think 25-40ppi would be more than enough.

bostonbostianAuthor

Participating Frequently

Thank you for your time and response. Why would you suggest 24-40 ppi? The images would be blurry... They are each individual images. It’s a collage of separate images that make a banner.

MW Design

Inspiring

To answer a question, you can check the DPI in Acrobat easily enough. They would/should be 3 times the requisite dpi according to your 1/3 size.

But, have you talked to whomever is printing this large format job? I would doubt they want more than 150 dpi at full scale. No where I have had such work done have wanted more than that. So I typically design to that 150 dpi. (And no, 24-40 dpi would be appropriate for a billboard but not a large format job.)

I typically use the max, easily divisible scale percentage. In this case, I would use a 50% scale. Then the print establishment just needs to double the PDF size. But again, do talk to them and also make sure if they are intending on opening your PDF in CorelDraw or AI--a common occurrence in large format printing.

The screen shot below is assuming a couple things. One, that the typical viewing distance is 6 feet. Unless this is an eye-level, wall-mounted print, 6' away is pretty much not even achievable (it would be higher). The viewing distance affects what DPI one can use to basically fool the eye (hence billboards at 35 dpi appear continuous-tone from the highway). So with a 50% design scale and a minimum viewing distance of 6', you only need the DPI as shown in the red box and in particular, the two on the left side of it.

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