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• • March 1, 2013 at 11:10 am #64312
    Anonymous

    Inactive

    Hi,

    Have two questions, i got two images sent to me with 96dpi. For printing i would need 250+.

    Can i take that image into photoshop and resample to 300dpi and get print quality? Is that a better choice?

    I tave taken the photo into indesign and since i resized it smaller(since i dont need it that big) and this is what i get on the links panel:

    Actual PPI:72
    Effective PPI: 329 x295 (why is this a multiplied number, rather that just a whole numer like 300, or so?)
    Dimensions: 960×569

    I have not resampled the image, but based on this information, do you guys think the pic will print ok? I have read that as long as it's 300 on the effective PPI it will work. Sugestions?

  • March 1, 2013 at 12:42 pm #64313
    David Blatner

    Keymaster

    Great questions, Diana. Important issues here.

    The Link Info area of the Links panel shows 329 x 295 because you probably scaled it disproporitionally (squished it wider or narrower). The pixels in the 96 ppi image got smaller when you scaled it down, so the final (“effective”) resolution is high enough for print. At this point, you do not need to go back to Photoshop to resize/resample it.

    (If it were a really high-quality photographic image, you might want to, and then apply appropriate sharpening, etc, but that's a whole other set of criteria. For most images, you don't need to and don't want to take that step.)

    If you were going to place the 96 ppi image into InDesign and not scale it down, then it might be too low res, and would look jaggy. There isn't much you can do about that. I would still not open it in Photoshop and resample it, as you can't really just “add data” and it will still look icky.

    I like that you said 250 ppi. It is very rare that you need more than 250. You don't need 300 in most cases. (Again, high quality artbook, etc.)

  • March 1, 2013 at 1:18 pm #64315
    Anonymous

    Inactive

    Thanks for your click reply David:) And what you are saying makes total sense about the resampling and the scaling, i just wasn't sure because many people say to resample.

    Regarding the image, when i opened in photoshop and indesign it marks it 72 not 96dpi. These are pics other people are sending me, so even though i have asked for higher resolution ones, it's what im stuck with, lol I have high stock resolution photos too at 300dpi, but i still have to use some of the other photos they've sent to me :(

    The images in question, are for a print ad in color using 60 or 80 lb. gloss paper. Do you think this makes any difference in the way it will print/resolution or the same advice applies? Cause like you said, since i'm making the photo smaller(not the full size of the image) then resolution get betters(effective PPI). Now i think the only thing i think i need to do is change the image to CMYK in photoshop and place in again in indesign. Do you agree?

    Thanks again!

  • March 1, 2013 at 1:23 pm #64316
    David Blatner

    Keymaster

    You're asking all the right questions.

    Whether it's 72 or 96 ppi, it's basically going to be the same result. If you scale it down in InDesign, so that you get at least 200 ppi, you're probably going to be fine for an ad. Maybe 225.

    You do not need to convert to CMYK in Photoshop! Common mistake. Just leave it RGB then export the InDesign document as a PDF file, and use the PDF/X1 preset. That will flatten and convert everything to CMYK. If you want more control over the color export, you can choose a different cmyk “Destination” in the Output pane of the pdf export dialog box.

  • March 1, 2013 at 1:44 pm #64317
    Anonymous

    Inactive

    Well thanks David, i really appreciate your help and taking the time to help me.

    So i don't need to convert images to CMYK? The preset the printer informed me to export was high quality print, so should i still not do convert it?

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