Posted by Brian Gatlin on December 21, 2010 at 11:42 AM
I'm seeking some advice for sharpening files for print. Thus far, all my work with digital photography has been for computer/web presentation. But this spring I'll be submitting photos to be printed as part of a book I'm publishing (an annotated checklist to the birds of the Grand Canyon Region). Specifically, the photos are of birds, so I'll want to preserve as much fine detail as possible.
I'm used to sharpening fairly small files like those shown on NPN (1200 pixels on the long side). These files will be much larger--more like 2400 to 3000 pixels, and printed at around 300 dpi (rather than displayed at 72).
I guess my question is, how do I know when I've got the sharpening right? Do I apply the sharpening and then shrink the size of the image on my screen from 100% to something resembling the size they'll be printed at? Are there basic guidelines for how much more sharpening to apply to a larger file, or for preparing a file for print rather than web? Any tips that you can give me will be much appreciated.
1. Insure the rulers are visible.
2. Use zoom to display the image so that you are viewing the image 1:1.
3. Apply sharpening so that the image appears sharp on the screen. You'll have to experiment, as there are no hard and fast rules.
4. Use the rectangular marquis to select a piece of the image where sharpness is critical; say the bird's head, eye, and some feathers.
5. Copy the selection to the clipboard.
6. Create a new canvas
7. Paste the selection to the new canvas.
8. Print the new image on a letter-size piece of the same paper you'll be using to make your final print.
9. Inspect this print.
If the test print looks good, you're good to go. If not, you'll need to go back and fine tune your image. Also, when I look at the test print, I check color, contrast, and saturation, as well. I can then go back to my master print file and make any needed adjustment
I also look at the image at 100% (View Actual Pixels) before printing to check for halos, jaggies, and other bad stuff.
Since the prints you are making will be used to create a book, I strongly suggest you make full size hard proofs before making the final print.
I hope others will chime in, since my procedure is certainly not the be-all-end-all.
--P
Posted by Mark Stahlke on December 21, 2010 at 1:20 PM
You should discuss this with your publisher or printer. Will they be doing any re-sampling or sharpening?
I confused about the nature of your book. An "annotated checklist" sounds vaguely like a field guide but 2400 to 3000 pixel images printed at 300ppi are 8 to 10 inches. That sounds more like a coffee table book. What size (in inches) will the images be on a printed page of your book? Multiply that number by 300ppi to get the required pixel dimensions.
In general, a 300ppi print can take more aggressive sharpening than a web jpeg. A one pixel wide sharpening halo at 300ppi is only 1/300th of an inch - not really noticeable to the human eye. This is where viewing distance becomes an important factor. An 8x10 print hanging on a wall might have a normal viewing distance of five feet or more. A book will have a normal viewing distance of somewhere around one foot. The wall hanger can take more sharpening than the book.
I don't know what sort of sharpening methods you usually use so I'll suggest experimenting with high pass sharpening for this application. Make some test prints at the actual size of your book pages.
Most importantly, talk to your publisher or printer.
You should discuss this with your publisher or printer. Will they be doing any re-sampling or sharpening?
Absolutely!!!!!!
Specifications and results vary with printing technique, even the type of paper and ink they use. I'd make a discussion with your printer the first order of business, then follow their instructions to the letter. They know how to get the best results with their specific setup.
You should discuss this with your publisher or printer. Will they be doing any re-sampling or sharpening?
Absolutely!!!!!!
Specifications and results vary with printing technique, even the type of paper and ink they use. I'd make a discussion with your printer the first order of business, then follow their instructions to the letter.
I couldn't agree more!
--P
Posted by Brian Gatlin on December 21, 2010 at 4:09 PM
Discussion
5 repliesI'm used to sharpening fairly small files like those shown on NPN (1200 pixels on the long side). These files will be much larger--more like 2400 to 3000 pixels, and printed at around 300 dpi (rather than displayed at 72).
I guess my question is, how do I know when I've got the sharpening right? Do I apply the sharpening and then shrink the size of the image on my screen from 100% to something resembling the size they'll be printed at? Are there basic guidelines for how much more sharpening to apply to a larger file, or for preparing a file for print rather than web? Any tips that you can give me will be much appreciated.
Assuming you are using Photo Shop...
1. Insure the rulers are visible.
2. Use zoom to display the image so that you are viewing the image 1:1.
3. Apply sharpening so that the image appears sharp on the screen. You'll have to experiment, as there are no hard and fast rules.
4. Use the rectangular marquis to select a piece of the image where sharpness is critical; say the bird's head, eye, and some feathers.
5. Copy the selection to the clipboard.
6. Create a new canvas
7. Paste the selection to the new canvas.
8. Print the new image on a letter-size piece of the same paper you'll be using to make your final print.
9. Inspect this print.
If the test print looks good, you're good to go. If not, you'll need to go back and fine tune your image. Also, when I look at the test print, I check color, contrast, and saturation, as well. I can then go back to my master print file and make any needed adjustment
I also look at the image at 100% (View Actual Pixels) before printing to check for halos, jaggies, and other bad stuff.
Since the prints you are making will be used to create a book, I strongly suggest you make full size hard proofs before making the final print.
I hope others will chime in, since my procedure is certainly not the be-all-end-all.
--P
I confused about the nature of your book. An "annotated checklist" sounds vaguely like a field guide but 2400 to 3000 pixel images printed at 300ppi are 8 to 10 inches. That sounds more like a coffee table book. What size (in inches) will the images be on a printed page of your book? Multiply that number by 300ppi to get the required pixel dimensions.
In general, a 300ppi print can take more aggressive sharpening than a web jpeg. A one pixel wide sharpening halo at 300ppi is only 1/300th of an inch - not really noticeable to the human eye. This is where viewing distance becomes an important factor. An 8x10 print hanging on a wall might have a normal viewing distance of five feet or more. A book will have a normal viewing distance of somewhere around one foot. The wall hanger can take more sharpening than the book.
I don't know what sort of sharpening methods you usually use so I'll suggest experimenting with high pass sharpening for this application. Make some test prints at the actual size of your book pages.
Most importantly, talk to your publisher or printer.
Absolutely!!!!!!
Specifications and results vary with printing technique, even the type of paper and ink they use. I'd make a discussion with your printer the first order of business, then follow their instructions to the letter. They know how to get the best results with their specific setup.
I couldn't agree more!
--P