Joined: 10 Aug 2011
Posts: 1
Location: United States
Posted: Wed Aug 10, 2011 10:57 am Post subject: Canvas size for large printing?
I have a project I'm working on for a friend and I need a little advice. We're creating an event banner for him that needs to be done by this weekend, only problem is I've never prepped a file for printing at such a large scale (20ft wide). Basically, I need to know how to start the file in CS5... I'm not sure what size to make the canvas, what resolution (ppi/pcm) to select. I typically only use Photoshop for making shirts, haha. Can anyone help me out so I can make sure I don't screw this one up?
Joined: 05 Mar 2003
Posts: 3987
Location: Cheltenham, UK
Posted: Wed Aug 10, 2011 2:53 pm Post subject:
Hi and welcome to the forum jfotogs. There is almost an inherent fault in your question, I think the general consensus, might be that Illustrator would be better suited to the task, rather than Photoshop. If you do choose Photoshop in the end, I guess you are going to have to save in .PSB rather than the standard .PSD due to the potential huge file size. I am unsure as to whether a PDF would be adequate for output, not really my field I'm afraid.
I think it also depends upon the printing process as to accepted guidelines, half-tones and LPI all have a factor if my half-baked knowledge withstands any scrutiny. Rules are of course different for offset printing and the like.
Sadly though not my field and I am wary of pointing you in the wrong direction.
Overall I would say it's a question of output and distance viewed from that determines resolution.
My best advice is, don't ask us, ask the printer. I mean that in the non negative sense, he will be able to steer you in right direction. _________________ If life serves you lemons, make lemonade!
Joined: 20 Dec 2008
Posts: 710
Location: Oklahoma PS Version: photoshop cs5 OS: win7 pro 64 bit, i7-3.2g, GTS 450,
Posted: Wed Aug 10, 2011 3:55 pm Post subject:
hi,
there several things i don't know
1. I don't know the heigth ... i always need to know the overal size ...
2. I don't know if your going to print this on a inkjet or a laser or your going to send out the project to be printed...
3. I don't at what heigth or distance viewers are gong to see this banner that makes a difference on some of your settings
4. I don't know weather were talking aboutsimple text and graphics or were talking about photo type images in the banners... makes a huge difference... on which way to go for your settings...
now my thought and i am really a novice on this large printing projects...
keep in mind the file size of the project ... the larger the size of the banner and the number of layers involved can make files size very large and can make it difficult and time consuming make simple changes and such... smiling... i been throught it....
1. as far as the ppi --- when looking at a banner or a poster that going to be viewed a distance... you don't need a high ppi number ... generally 100-150 is quite suffecient..... unless you want highquality printing where people are going to be viewing the banner up close.... then you may want to go to 200-300 ppi but your files size going humugus... smile...
now i plug in some values, which may not be accurrate...
that your banner is 280" wide and 20" high...
that translate to a pixel deminsion of about 28,000x 1400 pixels ... at 100 ppi!!
2. as far as canvas size... if were looking at printing your main factor is going to be how many pixels !! what show in your canvas window... or better look at your image size window.... the number of pixels and based on ppi will determine optimum document size for printing ...
if your printing this project your self you may want to just do a short 3 foot section to see how it looks and if sendingthis out tobe printed well ask the pritner they will help..
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