resizing file for printing?

Hi there...

What should be the DPI for files for printing? 300dpi?
for printing 4x6's and/or 8x10's..?

Thanks,
Theresa

Printing FAQ

That's a question best answered by your lab. I recommend asking them directly.

Damo77 wrote in post #10164916
That's a question best answered by your lab.

Theresa- Are you printing yourself or sending out to a lab?

ChasP505 wrote in post #10167113
Theresa- Are you printing yourself or sending out to a lab?

sending to a lab, thanks! I'm just actually getting started with doing photography for pay And I want to experiment on how my colors actually look and all.. I'm going to try printing at Costco first, some pics of my kids..

off to read the faq too..

The most important thing is to get the aspect ratio correct. Your camera shoots with a 3:2 ratio (width:height). 6x4 is the same ratio but 10x8, isn't so the image would need to be cropped to fit.

hollis_f wrote in post #10172798
The most important thing is to get the aspect ratio correct. Your camera shoots with a 3:2 ratio (width:height). 6x4 is the same ratio but 10x8, isn't so the image would need to be cropped to fit.

Yes, I do get the ratio.. I crop to the proper size.. but what dpi should it be set to? 300 is usually the norm if you print on your own printer.. but how about if I send to say Costco or others?

300. If you print yourself 300ppi is probably fine, but the dpi will be closer to 4000. Go have another read of the printing FAQ I already linked to

There will be suggestions on the websites of any lab you use. Costco, WHCC, Nations... they all give you an idea of what they want to see when you send the files. But 300 is a good average.

PhotosByT wrote in post #10176434
Yes, I do get the ratio.. I crop to the proper size.. but what dpi should it be set to? 300 is usually the norm if you print on your own printer.. but how about if I send to say Costco or others?

Ignore it. Crop your image to the correct ratio and send the file as-is. When Costco print it they'll use the full sized image - giving you the highest possible ppi value for that image.