First time large print questions on size and vendor

Hi,

I would like to get an image printed large, around 40-48 wide if possible. I am also OK on some crop to keep quality as well.

I only have my processed .JPG at the moment, but if needed, I could pull my RAW from back up for new processing.

From Canon 70D using 18-135 STM lens

The image size is
Width 5472 x Height 3648
72 dpi
bit depth 24
Color sRGB

My questions
1) can I use my .JPG to send to a vendor for print or should I get/send the RAW?
2) should I redo my .JPG to diff dimensions?
3) what is the optimal width x height of my print?
4) if I do resize for printing, what ratio must I adhere to?
5) What US vendors are worth seeking for my print

I am looking to do one of those canvas like frameless print options with the wrap around edge possibly.

Thanks

1) can I use my .JPG to send to a vendor for print or should I get/send the RAW? Most want jpg, but you should see what options they offer when you decide on a printer.
2) should I redo my .JPG to diff dimensions? See #1.
3) what is the optimal width x height of my print? What will be the viewing distance?
4) if I do resize for printing, what ratio must I adhere to? The ratio that fits the print dimensions.

5) What US vendors are worth seeking for my print.
Printing Company

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Well if you want the image to be uncropped from it's native aspect ratio then you need to have a 3×2 ratio print, so for what you are sking that would be 48×32 at the larger end, and 40×26.67 at the smaller end. Looking at the figures you have given that will give you 114 PPI on a 48" print, and that is close enough to the 150 PPI that is usually recommended for canvas that I would be inclined to simply upload the existing JPEG file. The printing system will be able to handle the necessary upsizing with ease.

If you really want to do the resizing yourself I would go back to the RAW and export it at 7200×4800 pixels, that will give the best result, provided you didn't then do lots of work after the RAW processing in a pixel editor. Personally in your situation I would not bother with this, just do what I have already suggested.

With canvas you have choices on how they do the wrap, either you get the outside couple of inches of the image wrapped round, which is OK as long as you didn't take needed image too close to the edge, or they simply mirror the outside couple of inches, use this if you do have needed subject close to the edge. Most vendors software will take care of this for you.

As to vendor I cannot help, since I am in the UK. So my recommending DS Colour Labs won't be of much use. If other readers are in the UK though their quality is top notch, and they have extremely low prices.

Alan

PhotosGuy wrote in post #18298733
3) what is the optimal width x height of my print? What will be the viewing distance?

The viewing distance can range from 5 ft to 10 ft. It is a piece that would be hanging in my daughters room, above her bed. While it will be a dominant picture hung in my daughters room, it is also not a formal piece to be hung and admired as a piece of art in a gallery.

These should helpyou in both size of print and viewing distance /dpi

kezug wrote in post #18298721
I would like to get an image printed large, around 40-48 wide if possible.
I am looking to do one of those canvas like frameless print options with the wrap around edge possibly.

.

kezug wrote in post #18298721
My questions
1) can I use my .JPG to send to a vendor for print or should I get/send the RAW?

I am not familiar with any vendors that will accept a RAW file. But then again, I don't know of any photographers who would want to leave all of the editing to a print vendor. Most photographers want to edit the file themselves, so that it will attain the look and feel that they had in mind when they created the image.
.

kezug wrote in post #18298721
What US vendors are worth seeking for my print

I have used Fine Art America and AdoramaPix, and can highly recommend each of those.
The balance of price and quality from both Fine Art America and AdoramaPix will be hard to beat.
I sell my large prints, and my clients have been very happy with work from each of these companies.

Fine Art America will print up to 48" wide, while AdoramaPix will print up to just 40" wide (at least that's what I remember.....things may have changed, or I could just be wrong about this). I am waiting and hoping that A-pix increases their maximum print size, as I would love to use them for larger prints.

Both of these vendors have a very liberal return policy, so if for any reason you are not happy with the colours or the fit and finish of your big canvas, you can simply return it for a full refund.

There are many other print vendors who will do a great job with your canvas, but I only have personal experience with these two, and I only want to recommend someone who I have used personally.
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kezug wrote in post #18298721
if I do resize for printing, what ratio must I adhere to?

For canvas, I believe that both FAA and A-Pix will print to a custom aspect ratio. In other words, crop the image to proportions that you think look best, and then upload that file to either of the aforementioned vendors and they will print it to exactly that aspect ratio.


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Printing and enlargement FAQ.

1) Jpeg, so you can process it.
2) Let the lab do it
3) 3:2
4) Don't
5) No opinion

• Some print makers insist upon printing a source file which allows them to make the print (at the final size being ordered) using 300 pixels per inch on the print...if your original shot is 3000 pixels wide and you want 50" wide photo, you have to resize the file to 15000 pixels width...even if you are happy to get only 200 pixel/inch final print.
  
• If you do not provide a source file whose aspect ratio does exactly conform to the aspect ratio of the requested print, they WILL 'cut off' in one direction to fill the print to its edges...e.g. you provide a 3:2 aspect ratio image, and order a 30" x 40" print, they will cut off 23% of the long dimension of the image in order to fill the 30" height.
  

Also be carefull of not getting enlargements that may be a little too dark. What I mean by that is unless you can see on the screen what it looks like proofed to the paper its going to be printed on then there is always a risk of possibly being darker than what you expected. Thats because printed images on paper will look invariably darker than what they do on your screen. You can get around that by 1. Calibrating your monitor to correct ambient light you are working in and 2. Use a paper/printer ICC monitor profile specific to the paper/printer the labs using. . If I had a dollar for every time Ive heard the complaint "the lab printed my enlargement too dark" I would be a squillionare .........Maybe that doesnt worry you so if not no big deal however if you want them to get as close as possible to what you see on your screen then you need to simulate the paper etc by way of an icc profile for proofing in PS or lightroom. Many labs provide these icc profiles if a special paper is being used . Even photochemical papers/printers can be profiled like lambda /Fujiflex etc its just a matter of asking the lab.

Clipper

Bayphoto, White House Custom Color, Millers Labs would be my recommendations.

Others have answered your other questions.

For me, I always resize the image to the print dimensions before sending so that I can tell if it needs anything else before printing.