I'm replying to my own message, but I wanted to add that the critical
factor in sizing your file for printing is that you do not resample the
original scan. In other words, to achieve a 550 ppi resolution for a 7x10
picture file, you have to scan the 35mm negative at 4000ppi. When sizing it
in PhotoShop, make sure the "resample" box on the "image size" panel. is
not checked. The "constrain proportions" box should be checked. If I'm
working for an exact picture dimension, such as 7 x 10, I'll sometimes end
up with an odd pixel count that includes decimals, such as 554.9. I used to
adjust the picture dimension to make sure my ppi count ended up as a whole
number. I found that it doesn't matter. But resampling an image, even with
good software, will cause some degradation.
The exception to the above would be if you only have access to a
lo-res scanner. In that case, PhotoShop resampling to a higher resolution
would be preferable to printing from the lo-res image. In other words, if
the highest ppi count you can achieve at 7 x 10 is 200 ppi, go ahead and
resize with "resample" turned on, and make it 400 ppi at 7 x 10.
Paul
Paul Stenquist wrote:
> Hi Bill,
> The file size does not have to be a divisor of the printer output
> rating. It doesn't matter a hoot. Your printer is of the same general
> type as mine, and your output should be optimum if your picture file is
> in the neighborhood of 550ppi. For 7x10 prints that means a file size of
> about 55 meg. After a lot of experimenting, I came to realize that the
> printer dpi rating had nothing to do with the ppii (or dpi) of the
> picture file. Tom explains that the printer rating is just the stepping
> rate of the print head. I'll buy that explanation. It seems logical.
> Paul
>
> William Robb wrote:
>
> > I am in a bit of a quandry, and am hoping I can get a few
> > answers from the list.
> > I have been told that it is best to size the file to a divisor
> > of the printer output.
> > For example, my printer is capable of a maximum resolution of
> > 2880 dpi, and that the output ideally would be 360 dpi, or 720
> > dpi, or some such.
> > I have read a couple of posts now where the printer is being run
> > at a somewhat oddball resolution, such as 743 ppi.
> > So, is there any logic to what I have been told?
> > Or does it not really matter?
> > Thanks
> > William Robb
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