Minimum Resolution for 4x6 Prints

Can someone clue me in on something please?

I'm using Adobe Lightroom, and I'd like to offer customers a inexpensive route to obtain my images by allowing them to purchase a low res option.

The lo res option should enable them to print a MAX of a 4x6 image. What resolution should i use specifically in LR when exporting to jpeg??

Help!

Thanks

200 dpi * dimension

Hi Wilt

I see the drop down menu for the dimension option. Below it there are 2 boxes.

what do i fill in there??

Wilt wrote in post #8385716
200 dpi * dimension

1200x1800 pixels will give a 4x6 print at 300 ppi.
Which is fine.

Then again, I've accidentally had 4x6 prints made off 533x800 pixel files, and my parents thought they looked fine

René Damkot wrote in post #8385769
1200x1800 pixels will give a 4x6 print at 300 ppi.
Which is fine.

Then again, I've accidentally had 4x6 prints made off 533x800 pixel files, and my parents thought they looked fine

Yeah, if you want them to print the highest quality of 4x6 prints, 300 ppi will do it -- but someone can take that and print an 8x10 and be happy!

OP, you have to make a judgement call there -- try printing out a 4x6 at 150 ppi (600x900 pixels) and see if that is "satisfactory" for this kind of use, if not, you just increase the resolution from there.

My aim is actually for "satisfactory" results. Can't believe i just said that...haha.

The point is, if the file is too good and they are able to print it at larger sizes i'd never make money!!

Rene, I'll try what you suggest first.

thanks all.

Rene,

I just exported from LR at exactly your suggested specs and the file seems awfully good. Too good??

My aim is to output a file which is jst sufficient to print a 4x6....

What do you think? (and thanks btw)

René Damkot wrote in post #8385769
1200x1800 pixels will give a 4x6 print at 300 ppi.
Which is fine.

Then again, I've accidentally had 4x6 prints made off 533x800 pixel files, and my parents thought they looked fine

30Der wrote in post #8386417
=30D'er;8386417]Rene,

I just exported from LR at exactly your suggested specs and the file seems awfully good. Too good??

My aim is to output a file which is jst sufficient to print a 4x6....

What do you think? (and thanks btw)

Try my suggestion of the 150ppi resolution. Printing much larger than 4x6 shoudl be quite, well, crummy.

yes....crummy...let me try it.

I think LR is confusing me, so i put in 150dpi in the "resolution box" right?

Argh...feel so stupid this should be easy.

tonylong wrote in post #8386466
Try my suggestion of the 150ppi resolution. Printing much larger than 4x6 shoudl be quite, well, crummy.

30Der wrote in post #8386496
=30D'er;8386496]yes...​.crummy...let me try it.

I think LR is confusing me, so i put in 150dpi in the "resolution box" right?

Argh...feel so stupid this should be easy.

Really, you just put in the pixel dimensions and the ppi figure doesn't matter (as long as it's something). So, put for pixel dimensions 600x900 and that will print a 4x6 out at 150 ppi. Try a test print and see if it's OK.

30Der wrote in post #8386417
=30D'er;8386417]Rene,

I just exported from LR at exactly your suggested specs and the file seems awfully good. Too good??

My aim is to output a file which is jst sufficient to print a 4x6....

What do you think? (and thanks btw)

If you want "just sufficient" 600x900 is a good bet.
Let me expand a bit
I once burned a CD of images for my parents. I also wanted to give them prints (they're of "analog" age), so I brought the CD to a print shop. They printed both the 1200x1800 pixel images and the 533x800 web gallery images.

To my parents, the biggest difference was the watermark

Just checked MPIX; their minimum for a 4X6 is 400 X 600.

That's a business, and i'm sure they operate at the same "bare minimum"concept I'm trying to reach.

Gonna try and export and print a test...

Thanks!

Bodog wrote in post #8390459
Just checked MPIX; their minimum for a 4X6 is 400 X 600.

Going back to the image size during export from LR -- I can output a resolution of, say, 600x900 and print a "decent" 4x6, but I could also print a really crappy, say, 20x30. What if I state that I want to export at 200 ppi (and don't specify dimensions) -- how would this affect my printing results at all?

Seems like an easy experiment to run...

Save a 4X6 at various resolutions (75, 150, 200, 300) and see which you find acceptable.


75 100 150 200 250 300
4 300 400 600 800 1000 1200
6 450 600 900 1200 1500 1800
Give it a whirl and present back to the class, the results of your experiment.