Setting resolution in photoshop...

[Ken Fong]

In terms of setting my resolution (pixels per inch), is this a function of what size my final print will be or what type of printer I will be using? What is the lowest setting I can use before I get pixelation? I currently use an Epson 2200 at home.

If I will be posting to an online proofing service (gallery) for printing, what resolution should I send? (Or do they usually recommend a setting?)

thanks,
Ken

[Jesper]

Read this: Display, Printing, DPI and PPI (http://www.photo.net/learn/resize/).

The number of pixels per inch in your printed image is a function of the size at which you are printing the image - not of the type of printer.

Printers print with dots (droplets of ink in the case of an inkjet printer) of a certain size. The printer has a native resolution, specified in dots per inch. Note that dots per inch is not the same as pixels per inch. An inkjet printer uses multiple dots of different colors printed closely together (or even overlapping) to print one pixel.

About what is the lowest setting you can use before you get pixelation: that's not easy to say, it depends on your eyesight and from which distance you're looking at the print. You usually look at large prints from a larger distance than at small prints, so you can get away with less pixels per inch for larger prints. People often recommend 300 PPI for good quality small prints.

[chris.bailey]

Dont. If you set a resolution different to the native resolution of the picture then PS does a resample. So when cropping etc leave the resolution blank. By all means check what resolution you have ended up with after re-sizing (re-sampling turned off) but you will have no problems as low as 120ppi for a large print (8 x 10 or bigger).