Navigation
Preparing your image files
If you are unsure how to prepare your image files, please see our suggested approach. We are not saying this is the only or the best way to prepare images for printing; it is just the approach we use and find works well for us.
Each of our clients has their own preferred methods of preparing their files, and that is fine by us. However there are a few things that are really essential in order to achieve top quality prints which will meet your expectations. These are as follows:
- Calibrate your monitor
- Colour Space
- Image Size
- File Type
- CHECK YOUR IMAGE FILE
If you are preparing your images on a monitor which is not calibrated, we simply won't be able to provide you with the print you expect to see. Effective display calibration systems are readily available now, and are very easy to use. We find Spyder 3 pro from Datacolor is particularly good, but other colour management systems from X-rite, Gretag Macbeth and others are good too. It doesn't matter to us whose system you use, as long as you do use one and check you monitor calibration regularly.
Please ensure your files are in the Adobe RGB 1998 colour space. (We can accept monochrome images in Grayscale.)
Please send us your image at the size you require it printed, with resolution between 200 and 360 ppi. (360ppi is preferred as this resolution ensures we get the very best performance out of our printers). The final stage after sizing your image file should be sharpening it appropriately for the print size.
Please send us your images in .tiff or .jpg format. For .jpg save at maximum quality.
Before sending us your file, just take a few minutes to fully inspect the whole area of your image viewed at 100% on your screen. Satisfy yourself there are no blemishes, dust spots, scanning artefacts etc. If you can see any such blemishes on your screen, they will be on your print too!
Please note we do not make any adjustments to your image file whatsoever. All we do when we receive your file is check the file format, check the colour space, and ensure the image size (and resolution) do correspond to what you have ordered.