making custom posters

[korrupt]

i'm using photoshop to create custom posters for youth sport leagues. my poster size of choice is 11"x14".

Q.) when making my template, should i start with 11"x14". then fit all the graphics & digital photos of the players to the template? OR should i start with a 5.5"x7" template. insert all the graphics & digital photos of the players, then take it to the print lab and have them stretch it to an 11"x14" poster?

which option will i achieve the best quality from my digital photos?

PS - i'm using a Canon 300d for my digital photos(6.3 megapixels)

[PacAce]

If I were doing it, I'd start with the actual size (11x14 in this case) or even a little bigger. However, I would never start with a smaller image and then try to "stretch" that out to the final 11x14. It just won't be as clean doing it that way.

[MCB]

Yeah, 11" x 14" isn't all that big. You should be able to do it full size to begin with. It would never look as good if you start small and then try to stretch it.

[pcasciola]

I just did a team poster recently, and I started with a 20x30, 300dpi canvas, even though the final prints were done in 12x18. I'd recommend starting out with 300dpi for the largest size you plan on having the poster printed just in case you decide to go larger with it. Also, don't forget to allow for some cropping on the edges, and avoid a border around the edge because the cropping could be as much as 1/2" or more on a 20x30.