Ephemera_Troupe :: View topic - Printing high quality photos

Eyelet Setter Joined: 24 Oct 2006 Posts: 3

So you've edited your photo using photoshop to crop out that random stranger standing next to you, or you've added some text, or maybe just some color correction. Now it's time to get that nice print out of the computer. You could just hit the print button, but we've all been disappointed so many times by the results of that technique! Just follow these brief steps to ensure your photo comes out just the way you want it.

Let's start by opening our image up in Photoshop and arranging the zoom and palattes so we have a nice view of our photo to work with. I'm using Photoshop CS2 for this example, but the previous versions are nearly the same.

Step 1) Image Size

Select from the menu Image>Image Size

Here we have all the details of the exact dimensions of our photo. Since I have not edited this photo before, this is showing me the precise dimensions that my digital camera took the photo at. If I just clicked print without chaning anything, I would get an 8.5 x 11" print at 180ppi. For a smooth looking print, you want to shoot for 300ppi. 180ppi is not going to make a very nice enlargement.

Step 2) Change the Image Size

Here is where we decide what size we want to print the photo. For example, I want to print a 4x6". First look to the bottom of the dialog and deselect "Resample". Then change the larger side to 6, the smaller side will automatically set itself at 4.5". We will fix that in the next step. This is to maintain the correct aspect ratio (without squeezing or stretching the image). Notice how the resolution changed to 341ppi. This is going to be a good print at that size.

Suppose you want to print an 8x10". Instead of setting the longer side at 6", set the smaller side at 8". Now it has automatically set the larger side to 10.6". This is to maintain the aspect ratio. You can play around with this to get whatever size you want, and as long as you keep the aspect ratio locked (that little chainlink on the right) the photo will not distort.

This is a little confusing. The idea is to get one of the sides at the exact size you want, and the other side slightly larger than you want. This is necesary because most digital cameras don't take photos at a 4x6 aspect ratio. It's not that unusual... neither do 35mm cameras. All the pictures you get developed at 1 hour photo get cropped the same way.

Now, notice the resolution at 8x10 is 192ppi. I shouldn't print out an enlargement this big from my camera. That's because its only 3 megapixel.

When you've got your size set click ok.

Step 3) Canvas Size

This step is to easily crop the excess off the side that is too big. In our 4x6 example, the 4" side was actually 4.5". So we select from the menu Image>Canvas Size.

Set the new width to be 4". The Anchor section is where you would decide which side of the image to crop off. We want both sides to be cropped equally, so we leave the anchor in the center.

When you click OK, you will be given a dialog warning you that part of your image will be cropped. That's the point photoshop! Just click OK again.

Now we can see our image is cropped and we are ready to print!

Step 4) Printing

Select from the menu File>Print with Preview.

As we can see, the photo is going to be printed on the wrong size paper, among other things. So select Page Setup.

Skip the next dialog by selecting Printer. We'll come back to it.

In the next popup, select your printer and click "Properties". I'm using the HP Photosmart 8200. Now this window will probably look very different depending on what printer you are using. The first step is to choose the right paper. On my printer this is done on the tab called "Paper/Quality". I'm printing a 4x6, so I chose borderless 4x6. Make sure you turn on borderless printing also! (Unless your photo is intended to be smaller than the paper you are using.) Mine has a little check box beneath the paper size. The source is the photo paper tray. And the paper type I've selected HP Premium Plus Photo Paper.

Selecting the right paper type is extremely important. I don't use the HP paper; I actually use the Staples brand photo paper which is cheaper. But I have experimented with each of the paper type settings on this printer and decided that I liked this paper type the best. I encourage you to take an hour and do the same. You may find you've had it on the wrong paper type this whole time. The results can be very different!

Next ensure the print quality is set at its highest option. Mine is simply "Best".

When everything is set correctly click OK.

Now we get a chance to double check that the orientation is correct. Check it and click OK.

Lastly we can see the photo is going to fill the entire 4x6 paper, and that it is oriented the right way. I've skipped over the Color Management settings at the bottom of this dialog, but let me briefly say: These settings can affect the print very drastically and are mostly used by professionals. The settings I will show you here are a good place to start, as your setup is likely similar to mine and these are the best settings for me.

Document Profile: sRGB
Color Handling :Let the printer determine the colors
Rendering Intent: Relative Colorimetric

If you put the cursur over one of these options you will get a short description. I will not get into detail here on the differences of these settings. Maybe for a more advanced tutorial on color management!

Now everything is set! You are ready to click Print and watch all your hard work pay off. Ok there was only 4 steps. But they were long steps. As you get acustomed to this process, you can do it in under a minute. You can also setup custom actions to automate some of the process for you. Hope you learned alot! Let me know what you thought.

Editor Joined: 23 Oct 2006 Posts: 28 Location: Los Angeles

Wow! Now there is no excuse! And no more asking you to print photos for me. Was that a hint, James??
That was great. It all makes sense now!