Most pint labs expect an image to be sized appropriately. For example, SimLab in Hatfield, Herts, UK specify 300 dpi and RGB colour profile, with the image sized to exact measurement. I habitually use Photoshop to make these adjustments but no doubt Lightroom will also perform these actions.
SIZING
When cropping an image, I try to stick to the pre-sets provided, as I believe they exist for a reason, they are aesthetically pleasing! However, these are only ratios and an image still needs to be set to the required size.
Cropping – complete in either LR, ACR or PS:
· Select Crop tool in left menu
· Go to top menu and select the down arrow to the right of the crop icon . The drop down menu offers a range of sizes at 300 dpi (4in x 6 inch up to 10 in x 8 inch)
· If this range is insufficient:
· Go to the next box along the top menu and the drop down box reveals a range of preset sizes, as well as a free choice. The latter is not recommended, neither aesthetically nor for printing sizes.
· Crop to the desired ratio (top menu bar).
· If you uncheck the Delete Cropped Pixels box in the top menu, the original image is preserved in the background and you can revert to it if desired. When you are happy with your ratio, select the tick and the action is completed.
Sizing:
· I usually have a look at the lab website to check what image sizes they have before preparing an image for printing.
· To alter the image to the desired size, there are (at least) two methods:
METHOD 1 (EASIER)
· Select WxHxResoution from the drop down menu
· You can select your custom sizes in the next two boxes. REMEMBER to add the unit of measurement in the boxes or it will default to pixels - A4 = 29.7 x 21.0 centimetres, A3 = 42.0 x 29.7 cm. Sadly, this does not conform to any recognised camera image ratio, so some cropping of the image will occur with printing if you chose these, so it is best to allow a bit of space around your image.
· (I usually print 15 x 10 inches, which is a 3 x 2 ratio, the Original Ratio from my camera)
· This method gives you the advantage of moving your image around within the sizing guides by pressing the Space bar + Left click on the mouse. When you are happy, select the tick from the top bar and Save or Save As your image. I usually select Save As and rename so as not to destroy the original image. The lab will also require the image to be in .jpg format so remember to choose that option when saving for printing. You may need to select Save a Copy in the window to access the .jpg format
· You will need to check the resolution in the Image>Image Size box, usually 300 dpi
METHOD 2
· Go to Image > Image Size
· In the drop down box, you can adjust width and height independently or in the present ratio. If you adjust independently, you will distort your image! However, to do this, click the chain image to the left of Width/Height sizes. You can adjust the parameters of measurement (percent/pixels/inches/millimetres/centimetres/points/picas). The default is pixels but this will need to be changed for resizing.
Colour Profile:
· The colour space for the printer’s specification. SimLab require RGB:
· Go to very top menu: Edit > Convert to Profile. Select Destination Space from window. Select Working RGB from drop down menu > OK
Image Brightness:
· Colours appear brighter on a backlit monitor. If you think about it, the monitor lights the image from behind but when it is printed on paper, we no longer have this light shining through the image. Getting prints to look as you desire requires a little sorcery and experience!
· Firstly and most importantly, check that you monitor is calibrated properly.
· Secondly, add a little brightness in PS: Image > Adjustments > Brightness/ Contrast
· In the window, select brightness and move the slider a little to the right. This will vary from image to image but about 15% is usually OK. Save this image as xxx_Print.jpg: File > Save As
Load image onto the printer’s website and check that you are happy with the preview option that is usually offered. It’s always advisable to do this to make sure that your resizing is correct.
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