Image Resolution
The actual dimensions of your final image in print are dependant upon the pixel dimensions of the image file at a specific print resolution. To achieve excellent print quality from our Epson Inkjet equipment the resolution of your image should be set to 360 ppi. But, if you are absolutely in need of the absolute maximum perceived detail, consider setting up your files to the native resolutions of our printers which is 720 ppi. When each dimension of an image (in pixels) is divided by this print resolution, the result will equal its physical dimensions on the print (in inches or centimetres, as you choose to convert to metric). For example, an image with the pixel dimensions of 2880 x 3600 will be 8″ x 10″ on the print, if printed at a print resolution of 360 ppi (pixels per inch). The maximum pixel dimensions of an image straight from the camera are referred to as the native pixel dimensions of the image. If one chooses to enlarge or reduce an image beyond its native pixel dimensions while maintaining a specific print resolution (360 ppi for example), computer interpolation comes into effect. Interpolation (especially from enlargement) beyond the native image size should be avoided unless absolutely necessary. That said, when done properly, enlargements can be done very successfully.
Image interpolation
as mentioned above, should be avoided where possible, especially when done by the printer driver itself i.e. on the fly during printing. If an enlargement is required which takes the image beyond its maximum native pixel dimensions at 360 ppi, feel free to contact us for support. We will be happy to help you enlarge your images effectively.
If you choose to enlarge your images, it is important that you let us know what you have done when you submit your image for printing, so that we don’t see a lower resolution setting or a “blurriness” in the image as an error and so we can adjust for optimum quality at our end. If you need assistance with configuring your image for enlargement beyond the native image resolution, please feel free to contact us for assistance. For image enlargements, we employ special tools and techniques to achieve optimum image quality in print.
Acceptable File Formats
For the highest quality print, your image should be shot in RAW format, flattened and saved in 16 Bit Tiff or PSD format for print. The highest quality and most accurate output for printing will come from RAW files which has been converted to those file formats. For standard basic level prints or proofs, 8 bit JPEG (first generation saved at 100% highest quality) will be accepted. But JPEG is not the best format for high quality printing. While JPEGs can be printed the JPEG compression scheme is lossy. Basic to low quality compressed files are good enough only for cell phones and internet. Files can be submitted on USB, DVD, CD or uploaded to our servers.
Colour Management
Our workflow is fully colour managed because a colour managed workflow is the only way to achieve consistent, accurate, predictable and repeatable colour. Colour will appear to be accurate on our screen displays ONLY if your files were prepared using a properly calibrated display and you are following correct soft proofing procedures. We strongly urge you to calibrate your display regularly using a good calibrator such as an X-Rite i1Display Pro or Datacolor Spyder Elite.
For Fine Art prints from RGB image files, ProPhoto RGB or Wide Gamut RGB are our preferred working space profiles. But with these spaces your files must be kept in 16 bit. While images in Adobe RGB 1998 or sRGB can also be accepted, ProPhoto RGB or Wide Gamut RGB are preferred to enable us to achieve the highest quality and largest colour gamut in print. Modern cameras capture very large amounts of colour – well beyond sRGB or Adobe RGB. Of course, some colour clipping may occur with all ICC print profiles, depending upon your choice of paper. But, the least amount of clipping of your image colour will occur with images in ProPhoto RGB. That said, our default working space for images without embedded profiles is Adobe RGB. CMYK files can be RIPped and printed upon request.
Our monitors are calibrated regularly with Eizo or X-Rite i1Display Pro calibrators depending upon the monitor. Our printers are calibrated religiously. We generate our own custom ICC print profiles for all of our printers and every paper on which we print, using X-Rite i1Isis-2 and Barbieri LFP Spectrophotometers. We will also create custom profiles for anyone who wishes to make their own quality prints on their own equipment. Details and pricing are available upon request.
Feel free to request our printer profiles for soft-proofing.
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