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mikaelabirath
Participating Frequently
February 5, 2025
Answered

Why are images shown as distorted in Effective PPI

  • February 5, 2025
  • 2 replies
  • 1096 views

Hello!

I am adding in images (JPG) into an indesign file for printing. 
The images are too small so i am resizing them in photoshop. But after i have resized them, the effective PPI changes to 300x298 - meaning there is a distortion. But i dont understand HOW there is a distortion? 

I have added screenshots of the settings from the original image (that has an OK effective PPI in indesign, but is too small) and from when I have added in my changes. What am i doing wrong? I can size it up a little without it 'distorting' but i need it this big  to get the 300PPI and I don't know what to do

Correct answer Dave Creamer of IDEAS

When you resize an image in InDesign, hold down the Cntl-Shift keys (Win) / Cmd-Shift keys (Mac) to keep the image and frame in proportion. It will place in proportion automatically. 

 

As far as upsampling is concerned, you enlarged a 72 ppi image so it's effective resolution is only 28 ppi. Probably not much you can go about that except get a better original. If you got this from the internet, be careful with usage rights. 

If you had a 72 ppi, it IS possible to upsample it in Photoshop, but ONLY as a last resort--better to try to get the original. See the PDF I've attached for typical results (a photo example is on page 2).

2 replies

Robert at ID-Tasker
Robert at ID-Tasker
Legend
February 5, 2025

@mikaelabirath 

 

Because you work in MILLIMETERS in Photoshop - you should work in PIXELS.

 

    Robert at ID-Tasker
    Robert at ID-Tasker
    Legend
    February 5, 2025
    quote

    @mikaelabirath 

     

    Because you work in MILLIMETERS in Photoshop - you should work in PIXELS.

     

    When you work in MM - the maths is "perfect" - there are rounding errors.

     

    jmlevy
    Community Expert
    jmlevyCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    February 5, 2025

    Hi @mikaelabirath I think that the answer has been given in your other post: images have not been scaled proportionnally.

    See your screenshots:

     

    About resizing the images in Photoshop: what you are doing is called upsampling and will result in a terrible loss quality.

    M
    mikaelabirathAuthor
    Participating Frequently
    February 5, 2025

    Is there another way to do it other than upsampling? 

    jmlevy
    Community Expert
    jmlevyCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    February 5, 2025

    There is a feature in Camera Raw allowing to achieve a better result (it doubles the pixels number), but since I am using a French version, I don't know how it's called in English.

    But don't expect miracle especially if you need to increase an image in very large proportions. You actually need to get a bigger image when you start your project.

    If the final print is big, you don't necessary need 300 PPI images, you should check with your printer.

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