First time printing 16x20

[yonni]

An acquaintance wants to buy a print from me @16x20 of this: http://www.pbase.com/xygoat/image/92269631
The full size file is 1942x2428 (5.6MBjpeg) from a 40D (slight crop) and she has seen the pbase one on the web and at 8x10 (Costco) and she says she wants it about 16x20. This will be unknown territory for me as I have never printed anything larger than 8x12. I have talked to a couple of shops and one will charge $33 for standard print, or 45 for high end paper. Another will charge $45 for standard and 55 for high end. Costco will charge $10 plus shipping+tax, about 16 total, but only take jpeg files. I actually did order the Costco one and it is on the way. I would like to compare it to one of the others to see any IQ differences. I do have some questions:

1. Is the file big enough to get a sharp sellable print? Of course viewing distance is always a factor.

2. Is the CS3 part of the processing straight forward or are there tricks/stumbling blocks that I should be aware of? Any tutorials that you know of or step by step instructions would be appreciated.

3. What would you recommend that I charge her? I haven't asked her how much she is willing to pay.

4. How important is the paper choice? What would you recommend?

5. For those of you in LA, who do you go to for prints? How about web based printers, would the file be too big to send?

I understand the shops want PSD files and 300ppi so I guess that would be uprezzing?

Any suggestions you have would be greatly appreciated.

[Tdragone]

Do it through costco!
I don't process any differently for large pictures; as long as you've got 75-80% of the picture; you can print up to 20*30 off an 8mp sensor.

I print large prints through costco very often. It's 9.95 per print + shipping. I usually get a print order together from several people here @ work to save on shipping, but for 1-2 prints it's still cheaper than most other online printing places.

[eddarr]

1. The file is plenty big enough. Size it to 16x20 and 300 ppi and it will be fine.
2. Other than sizing for the print you won't do much different then you normally would. You can also print a 4x6 at 100% crop to see what the detail will look like. Don't oversharpen thinking that it will help, it won't.
3. Charge what you feel is appropriate. Look around at pbase etc to see what people are charging for that sized print. I think usually between $45 and $60 depending on your attachment to the photo.
4. Paper is everything.
5. I would look at Mpix for the printing. If your local Costco does a good job then you can use them but the paper chose is very limited. Like to the only one they have, usually semigloss.

Most shops want jpeg files and make sure the color space is embedded or srgb.

[yonni]

Thanks for the replies and moral support fellas. This will be interesting. I can't wait to see the big picture:)

I'll check out mpix too.

[yonni]

I did order an ink jet print from BelAir camera and although the file wasn't exactly the same as the one submitted to costco, the "real photo" from Costco had more detail and none of the "bronzing" sometimes found on ink jets, and was much less expensive. Btw I ordered the 16x20 costco print from an 8x10 file so their uprezing program is very good as the print was very impressive. Any thoughts on the merits of inkjet vs. chemical prints would be appreciated. 2 sales so far @$50/print:)

[tmonatr]

I've had several 16x20's done thru MPIX, and they turned out great. I didn't even resize it. Just cropped it to the proper ratio and uploaded the full res file. (good prices, too $13.99 for regular paper, $19.99 for metallic paper. With the right print, the metallic is AMAZING!)

[Time Thief]

$50 is what I charge for a 16x20. As far as inkjet vs chemical, IMO you can keep the inkjet and give me chemical anytime. Just my opinion.

[Marcy]

the new Sam's club in our area does all sorts of large prints - 20x30 -$12.00- just make sure that have a good large file 300 dpi -

[tim]

There's a printing FAQ in my sig.

[yonni]

There's a printing FAQ in my sig.

Thanks Tim, great FAQ w/lots of info. I had read it but it didn't refer to inkjet vs. chemical printing specifically. Also I wanted a comparison between shops that use RIP software and ones that you have to uprez yourself. My little test may have been flawed so any input in these areas would be appreciated.

[yonni]

I've had several 16x20's done thru MPIX, and they turned out great. I didn't even resize it. Just cropped it to the proper ratio and uploaded the full res file. (good prices, too $13.99 for regular paper, $19.99 for metallic paper. With the right print, the metallic is AMAZING!)

Yes thanks, that's the way Costco works too. Very simple and convenient.

the new Sam's club in our area does all sorts of large prints - 20x30 -$12.00- just make sure that have a good large file 300 dpi -

Thanks Marcy. Are these inkjet or chemical? If you didn't resize would their software do it for you?

[freebird]

I've had several 16x20's done thru MPIX, and they turned out great. I didn't even resize it. Just cropped it to the proper ratio and uploaded the full res file. (good prices, too $13.99 for regular paper, $19.99 for metallic paper. With the right print, the metallic is AMAZING!)


What kind of print works well with metallic paper?

Thanks,
Chuck

[DAMphyne]

What kind of print works well with metallic paper?

Planes, Trains & Automobiles