posted
I am new to both photoshop and flexi... just recently purchased a roland versa camm... Couple questions you guys might help me with... What are the BEST values when producing a good quality printed image. Resolution, rastorize, jpg, pixelation size... and so on. Lets just say we are going to make a 18 x 24 sign with a photo of a car with some lettering... Create everything in photoshop... do I start with the actual size (18x24) or smaller / larger and 72 dpi or 300 or ???? I have been doing it at 100 dpi and when I bring it to my flexi to print... I get a lot of pixelation... I understand about dpi.. When I create with a higher res. ..It seems to take a long time to rip...Do I create with a high resolution and then rasorize it in flexi to a lower resolution? Any input would be great to know... could you please reply with a start to finish (kinda a step by step).... thanks chuck
-------------------- Chuck Coupland Coupland Signs 426 N. 11th Laporte, Tx. 77571 copesigns@aol.com Posts: 36 | From: LaPorte, Tx. USA | Registered: Feb 1999
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When dealing with photos "bigger is better" if you dont want pixelization.
Considering you have a new Roland VersaCamm then your max resolution is 360dpi. Therefore to extract the most quality from your Roland the image should also be 360dpi. In the real world thats a bit of an overkill though.
I'd suggest you scan the photo of the car at 180dpi (or thereabout) and then work from there.
Keep in mind that a 18*24 image will be 3,200 * 4,200 pixels. Yup, its big, and it will take a long time to rip, but the quality will match your Roland.
Hope that helps.
Peter
-------------------- Peter Gariepy Tucson, AZ Posts: 100 | From: Tucson, AZ | Registered: Jan 2005
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posted
Okay, here's the step by step, rednecked way I figured out how to get the best results for me...
1. Image in Photoshop, 300 dpi to 450 dpi, actual size 2. Copy finished image into FlexiSign or Illustrator. 3. Set all my copy on top of the photograph. (if there are no effects on the type then you're done) 4. Delete photo, export copy as .eps 5. Import copy into Photoshop and place on top of image as a new layer. 6. Add effects, if any, to copy. 7. Merge layers and save as high resolution tiff.
The trick with the copy is just because it's always been easier for me to manipulate type in Flexi/Illustrator and I get cleaner edges than when I do it in PS. If it's taking too long to RIP your projects upgrade the system. Max out your RAM and jiggle the wires a lot.
-------------------- Pat Whatley Montgomery, AL (334) 262-7446 office (334) 324-8465 cell Posts: 1306 | From: Wetumpka, AL USA | Registered: Mar 2001
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A photo thats only 4x5 and is blown up to will always pixelate. Enlarging cannot be done without help. You will need Photozoom, or genuine fractals.. a fractal enlarging software.
-------------------- Leaper of Tall buildings.. If you find my posts divisive or otherwise snarky please ignore them. If you do not know how then PM me about it and I will demonstrate. Posts: 5274 | From: Im a nowhere man | Registered: Jul 2001
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Making the simple complicated is commonplace; making the complicated simple, awesomely simple, that's creativity. — Charles Mingus Posts: 6714 | From: Mendocino, CA. USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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