I'm new to image resolution and such. I have been scouring the web for information regarding this exact issue but I can't make heads or tails of all of it.
If I am doing my own artwork and I want to be able to make poster sized prints (24x36 etc) what should my ideal resolution stats be? Long story short, I had done an image but only at 11x17 (300dpi) but I couldn't print any larger (according to CopyWorks) because it would start getting blurry. Is there a list or can somebody just list me what stats are ideal for creating larger images? Essentially I'd like to see something like this:
SIZE STAT - DPI
SIZE STAT - DPI
I appreciate it. Also, I saw somebody give how to calculate this sort of thing but I failed math... 
1 Correct answer
jennifers116981 wrote:
So just to clarify and make sure I'm understanding EVERYONE here -
If my image was an 8.5x11 scanned in at 300ppi and when I pulled the scanned PDF to photoshop I resized it to 24"x30" (36 kept stretching the image) at 350ppi and am putting my color over it. (It was a sketch) This should be able to print at 24x36 with little to no resolution quality lost?
No. The native scan is what counts.
If you draw your image on a 8.5 x 11 inch size paper and scan it at 300 ppi, you get 25
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jennifers116981 wrote:
So just to clarify and make sure I'm understanding EVERYONE here -
If my image was an 8.5x11 scanned in at 300ppi and when I pulled the scanned PDF to photoshop I resized it to 24"x30" (36 kept stretching the image) at 350ppi and am putting my color over it. (It was a sketch) This should be able to print at 24x36 with little to no resolution quality lost?
Definitely a bad idea. Here is what's going on:
If you do not scan or create an image at the size/resolution you intend to print it at, you either have to upsample or rescale.
Upsampling redraws the image and interpolates (averages the old pixels to create new ones). Going from 11 inches to 30 inches is asking the software to guess and does not add the detail an original size scan does. Even when I upsample, 1.6x is the upper limit, and you have almost 3x.
Rescaling is where you uncheck Resample in Photoshop's Image Size and tell it to increase the Print Size by cutting down the resolution.
8.5 x 11 @ 300 ppi rescaled to 24 x 30 inches drops the resolution to 110 ppi, which is very low for print.
Also notice the Aspect Ratio (W/H) is not the same for 24 X 30, so you get 23.1 not 24. Don't uncheck that chain link to get that size, you'll just stretch the image.
So you definitely would get a large format scan (24 x 30 @ 300) from a Copy shop that has that has large format scanners.
If your item can fit a 8.5 x 11 scanner, you could scan it at 1000 ppi, so you can rescale to a resolution in the neighborhood of 300 ppi.
Most scanners are Home/Office paper documents, so be sure it's for art/photo.
So I hope this gives you a good idea what is needed.
If you don't scan, but create your art from scratch, start your new document at 24 x 30 @ 300 or the suggested viewing resolution Davecm talks about.
Gene
Believe me, I would like to not have to pay to scan the dumb thing, but with an incoming baby, we've had to save to get any kind of scanner/printer. Long story, but we will be coming into some money soon so I will be jumping on the opportunity to get a scanner of my own.
That being said, my process worked exactly like this:
1) Image is scanned @ Copyworks.
2) I use photoshop to export as a PNG of the original scan but when I import the original PDF, I adjust the settings then.
((I've circled what I adjust.))
3) I Export as a PNG. I don't adjust anything here.
4) From here, I use layers and add my color over the image (a layer for each portion of the drawing - Skin, eyes, dress, hair, etc.)
5) Once finished, I will be transferring her to a new image where I have painted a background etc and edit and play with my image as I see fit.
It's really those first few steps I am concerned about but they tie into the final product. Am I doing something bad there? The images I am currently working on probably won't get above an 8x10 or so, so I assume they'll be okay for that...but I'd like every image I create in this project to have the ability to be printed at poster size (in case I decide to do so).
Just a few other things I should note. I have a very limited background in PS. My first experience was at the State Archaeologist where I was in charge of editing artifact photos and creating figures for reports. So everything I have done beyond what I learned there I have taught myself or watched on tutorials. I have Illustrator as well, but have not yet delved into it and its functions as this its WAY outside my comfort zone. I will be scanning my own items in the future, but the budget hasn't allowed yet, as I noted...but also will be hoping to get a Cintiq. So from there on the information you've given is extremely helpful. On that note, I want to extend a large amount of gratitude your way. I really appreciate all who have come to help and help me understand what I am doing. Thank you so much for your patience with me too!
jennifers116981 wrote:
So just to clarify and make sure I'm understanding EVERYONE here -
If my image was an 8.5x11 scanned in at 300ppi and when I pulled the scanned PDF to photoshop I resized it to 24"x30" (36 kept stretching the image) at 350ppi and am putting my color over it. (It was a sketch) This should be able to print at 24x36 with little to no resolution quality lost?
No. The native scan is what counts.
If you draw your image on a 8.5 x 11 inch size paper and scan it at 300 ppi, you get 2550 x 3300 pixels.
That's a problem. Once it leaves the scanner, that pixel count is fixed for a 8.5 x 11 printout.
If you decide later to go to a larger size, you would have to resample (add pixels) or rescale (spread the pixels out).
If it were me, I'd scan 8.5 x 11 @ 900 ppi and as a psd or tiff if I want to use Photoshop and add layers. Lots of overhead and "future-proofing".
Then if I want to print at 24 x 30, I have 330 ppi for a quality print if I uncheck resample so I don't rewrite the pixels.
Notice I keep the same amount of pixels.
So when you are at the copy shop, ask for that 900 resolution if your drawing is on a 8.5 x 11 sheet of paper.
Again, it should be scanned as a psd or tiff, not a pdf if you plan to add layers. Importing a pdf is extra work, just read the psd directly and start adding layers and other edits.
Then save a flattened copy as a PNG if that's what the printer needs for the final output. Keep the master copy.
Gene
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