How To Prepare Images For Print by Resizing in Photoshop and Lightroom
Q1.
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, but 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 and 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
