Printing not squinting.

March 9, 2009 1:13 AM

PrintFilter: If I get this printed in a large format (32" x 21"), will the slight blur show dramatically or ruin the piece? (Also, what matting should I use?)

I had this printed up from ImageKind and the results were rather spectacular.

The first linked photo is a bit out of focus, though it's only readily apparently when you're fully zoomed in. Since the dimensions of the photo at its native resolution is STILL larger than the print itself, do I need to worry, or will it turn out reasonably well?

Bonus Question: What mat combination would you suggest? I'm thinking a black outer mat, and perhaps a white and red inner mat, but possibly not in that order.

posted by disillusioned to Media & Arts (10 answers total)

3888 pixels / 32 inches = 121.5 pixels per inch, which is not very high resolution for print. Considering that my LCD has about 99 ppi, and at actual size I can see the blur and camera noise, I expect that it would be visible at 121.5 ppi. I suppose it depends on how close most viewers will be to the print.

I'd print it smaller, closer to 300 ppi, depending on the printing technology used.
posted by D.C. at 1:43 AM on March 9, 2009

2-300 ppi (aka dpi) is the normal target for color prints in cataloges, books, etc. If the viewers are 6-8 feet from it, 121 dpi should be fine. Otherwise print it smaller.

It's all about the viewer distance.
posted by flif at 1:50 AM on March 9, 2009

Response by poster: Actually, I just realized I was reading the wrong size: I'm getting it printed at: 24" x 16", so I think that may help considerably...

The blur doesn't seem *too* terrible... and I really like the composition and color of the piece...
posted by disillusioned at 2:03 AM on March 9, 2009

Maybe see if ImageKind or your preferred local lab can do a test print of a swatch of the image at full scale so you can get an idea how the whole thing will look. Shouldn't cost more than a couple bucks.
posted by zachlipton at 2:39 AM on March 9, 2009

What flif said.
posted by imjustsaying at 3:19 AM on March 9, 2009

Even on my screen, the highlights look "soft"...I believe that if you print this large, you will be disappointed.
posted by notsnot at 3:42 AM on March 9, 2009

I've got it on a 42" LCD at 25" or so by 16" or so (total pixels is 1920X1080 minus a few). and it looks great. I realize this isn't print, but from my normal viewing distance, I can't see the softness, though it's there at a foot or two. I say go for it! :)
posted by defcom1 at 4:37 AM on March 9, 2009

The printed size of the image right now is 54x36". Reducing it down to 24x16 will help tighten it up a lot. It's still not going to look perfect, but it will look nicer than if you printed it at its original size.
I wouldn't do it if I was planning to offer it for sale, but for personal use...sure.
posted by Thorzdad at 5:19 AM on March 9, 2009

You'd be pretty surprised what the human eye will forgive. Blow it up huge. The only people that will have their noses to the glass will be other photogs. The masses won't care a bit.
posted by Civil_Disobedient at 5:20 AM on March 9, 2009

I think you might be disappointed by the print. If it were one of my prints blur like that would drive me crazy. I would just get a print made and see how it looks.

(You might also think about cleaning up some of the color noise in the sky before printing.)
posted by gregr at 6:43 AM on March 9, 2009