Large Format Poster: Working With Print Resolutions and 9 How-to Tips

When working with photographic images for large format poster or for small prints, the fruit doesn’t fall far from the tree. High quality images result in high quality prints, and conversely, low resolution images, regardless how good the printing company, will result in poor quality prints.

Knowing if Your Files are Good Enough

Judging if a file if good enough for printing can be relative, to your eyes and even to your printers’ eyes. Judging the quality of a file’s resolution can be arbitrary, but there are certain guidelines that printers use to determine whether your files are going to print in optimum conditions.

Also, there are red flags you can consider and know just when you are putting your prints in danger.

• Pixilated images. Ideally, the pixels should be so small and numerous that it creates an optical illusion of one single smooth flowing image instead of unique independent images. The illusion is destroyed when the pixels can be seen distinctly. This happens when there are too few pixels over a given area. An image is pixilated when you see the suggestion of lines and boxes.

• Low image resolution shows a suggestion of pixels and lines. You can see jagged edges in the image outlines. Text and lines are fuzzy, but they are still understandable.

• However, in print these may not translate too well. Low resolution for text can be disastrous as they may not be readable or legible.Hence, when it comes to low resolution texts, use a guideline of not using less than a 6 pt. sizes font.

• Very low image resolution shows distinct pixels. The lines are so fuzzy they are impossible to read or readily recognize. Do not risk these for your images or even text.

Acquiring High Resolution Prints
Although resolution is a relative term, it is better to work on the safe side: that is having more pixels than maybe necessary or just getting it right for your prints and print size.

• The rule of thumb suggest that the larger the print size, the fewer the PPI or the DPI. Large prints are viewed from greater distance, while smaller prints are viewed at a closer scrutiny. Large format posters can be printed safely with a 150 dpi. This is the minimum you can go for a safe and high-resolution print.

• When taking pictures or scanning images, specify twice the amount of PPI that will be required for the actual printing. This will give you leeway for subsequent data loss that may occur in file transfers and design. If possible, scale the image to the actual print size.

• If resizing is absolutely necessary, opt for interpolation. This process makes more pixels by copying information from nearby pixels and computing for their average. This works as a filler to lessen the jagged edges in pixilated images. Although this will NOT turn low resolution image to high resolution image, it is a useful tool for small scale resizing.

• While working on the project, use file formats that retains the image details. (Most programs have their proprietary file formats.) If you must compress your file to reduce the file size, do it at the end of the project. You lose data every time you save your project using a file compression format.

• It is always best to use lossless files such as .eps or .tiff so you maintain the integrity of your files and image quality.

When getting your large format poster printed, make sure to get your moneys worth. Submit high resolution files to get photographic quality prints you want.