Following the guidelines below will mean we have the best photographic file possible when it comes to producing your print. Many of these options are available to you when exporting files from Lightroom, or within Photoshop.
File Formats:
We are pretty flexible when it comes to file formats - either JPEG (do not compress the file when saving), TIFF, or PSD. Contrary to popular belief, a very high quality JPEG will print as well as any other format, provided it hasn't been saved multiple times whilst being edited (it has the potential to lose quality with each save).
Resolution:
Ideally your file should be 300ppi, at the final print size required e.g. 18 x 12 inches. Sometimes, this isn't possible, and we can enhance files in order to print them larger if required. If this makes no sense, then simply send us your largest file possible (without too much in the way of cropping). We can check images, and if there are any problems, we will let you know.
Colour Space:
We prefer Adobe 1998 or ProPhoto RGB. If you only have sRGB, we can use that for prints, but for the highest quality, then aim for Adobe 1998 or ProPhoto.
Colour Matching:
How will the image displayed on your screen match the final print? Well, if you use a calibrated monitor, then you will be at an advantage here. A standard non-calibrated monitor will display your images brighter and with more saturation than a corrected, calibrated monitor. So, if you prepare your image on a calibrated monitor, then send it to us for printing, we will be extremely close when it comes to colours, shades of grey, contrast, brightness and all other aspect of photographic processing. Before a large print run, we always recommend getting a test print produced, and we can make amendments if required.
The Borders:
When you know what size paper you want your image to appear on, you need to determine if you want white borders on the print. If so, do you want them equally spaced on each side of your image - or do you want the image to be uncropped, and allow the borders to be slightly unequal. The only option that does not involve cropping of your image is 'Full Image with Borders'.
