How do I keep a very large, 300ppi image under 20MB?

[delias20027726]

Hello, thanks in advance for your help.

I have to print an image of 10800  ×  7200 pixels at 300 ppi, 8 Bits. The file size is 88MB and I need to lower it to 20 MB or less. This is based on the fact that I was given another image with the same characteristcs which is only 17 MB and I was requested to replicate the same weight. 

Do you have an idea of how this is done? Do you have your way to maintain such resolution and pixel count whilst keep the MB low?

Any input is highly valued 🙂 Cheers! 

Best, 

Delia

[Chuck Uebele]

What are the file types of the two files? If you're just printing, you can save a copy as a jpg to lower the file size. Just make sure you save the original. 

[delias20027726]

Hi Chuck, thanks for your thoughts on this. @jane-e  was right, I wasn't flattening the image before saving it. 

[jane-e · Accepted solution]

@delias20027726 

You didn't say if your file (or the other file) has layers, alpha channels paths, et cetera. If so, make a copy first to preserve your file, then flatten the copy and delete any paths and saved selections (alpha channels). Does that make a difference?

EDIT: 7 seconds behind Chuck.

Jane

[delias20027726]

Hi Jane!

I was doing everything right EXCEPT for one thing — I didn't flatten the image at the end of the process! I would merge all layers without flattening, which makes a huge difference.

Thanks for your thoughts on this and for solving this! 

Best, 

Delia

[jane-e]

You're welcome @delias20027726 , I'm glad this worked for you. Remember to save the layered file for future edits.

Jane