Resizing and Printing Photos

How To Prepare Images For Print by Resizing in Photoshop and Lightroom

Q1. (2013)

Resizing and Printing Photos - When editing in PS (Photoshop) or LR (Lightroom), we sometimes need to crop. Now, we just don't know what size (ratio) to do this. We know we need to keep a ratio otherwise when printing we'll get trouble. The problem is, WHICH sizes?

If we crop to 6×4, the photo is obviously not usable above that size. If we crop 10×8 we get different ratio sizes to 6×4 etc. Clients might want something else. Does that make sense? We'd love clarification on that one please.

A1.

Ok, to answer your first question, I have made a short video (attached) explaining how I print images from originals. Basically I don't resize the original image permanently but simply make another copy at the size required.

RESIZING AND PRINTING PHOTOS

Q2.

After finishing all editing in PS or LR (including cropping), what SIZE (I know resolution = 250dpi for our labs) do I do the FINAL save in? 8×12? Or leave "original"? I expect I have to convert to 8bit, then resize, then put into RGB. Anyway, once we have this info, things will fall into place for us.

A2.

Personally, I always simply save the file "as is", or the original size. I then pull images from it when printing. I do this for making "actual" paper prints or resizing to go in a photobook. It leaves the original untouched.

Feedback

WOW - this is unprecedented. A VIDEO on my exact question. Fantastic! We so appreciate this!! Thank you very much again, we plan on donating to your site