a high res question

[Peter Duniho]

"Bert Bigelow" <bigelowrs@aol.com> wrote in message
news:2ccd80ee.17@webx.la2eafNXanI...

> [...] The printer uses multiple dots of ink to create a pixel. If
> the resolution is too high...i.e., pixels are too small...then the
> printer cannot cram enough ink dots into the pixel area to
> accurately reproduce the color specified by the C, M, Y and
> K values. Therefore, resolutions higher than 300 dpi can
> actually DEGRADE the print quality.

That scenario should NEVER cause a lower-quality printed image than reducing
the image resolution in Elements (or other editing package).

It's not like the printer driver tries to cram all those tiny image pixels
into a small number of printer pixels. It's smart enough to do exactly what
you'd do in Elements, downsampling the image to reduce resolution to
something useful. Plus, since it knows how the printer works (Elements does
not), it can actually do a better job than Elements can.

Pete

[Barbara Brundage]

Hi, Pete. Yes, that makes sense about the dpi. I'm still used to the old mac idea of a screen res of 72 dpi whereas this monitor must be considerably higher.

The actual dialog is "ignore DPI for "Actual Size", incidentally.

[Barbara Brundage]

Hmm, it gets stranger. I just tried opening the original psd file in Preview and it doesn't make any difference to the size whether the box is checked or not, and that one is 180 ppi.

[JodiFrye]

Ok I just printed a 5 X 7.. at 400 res and my printer was happy to print it at 720 dpi. I find the 720 dpi preserves ink and the quality is superb so why go higher ? Anyways, the print is beautiful and the colors are perfect...yes. Thank you.

Leen, I tried your method earlier today with an 8 X 10. I let the printer reduce the image percentage and the quality seemed good. I was going to print another identical image and re-size in Elements first but I ran out of paper ;( Can't get more t'il friday so the test will have to be on hold. I knew it would work actually because my specific printer can be used without a computer..it has the memory card slot built in and therefore the printer would have to reduce the size of the image for the built in picture packages. I did use this feature when i first got the printer because I did not have a computer and yes, the images printed with perfection...full bleed. However, do all printers have the option to reduce the image before print without using a program ? I suspect they do.

[JodiFrye]

EDIT; OOps, that last paragraph was meant to address Pete Duniho.

[Bert Bigelow]

However, do all printers have the option to reduce the image before print
without using a program ?




I have an HP and an Epson printer. I never read any description of downsampling before printing, but maybe they both do, dunno. I did some experiments a year ago with the Epson (Stylus Photo 780) printing same size images that I had scanned at 300ppi and 600 ppi. There was very little difference, but it seemed to me that the 300 ppi was slightly sharper. Maybe my imagination. You may be right, Peter, but I KNOW I read about the pixel size problem. I'll try to remember where I read it...
Bert

[Leen Koper]

Jodi, I don't mind you are using my name instead of Pete's.
It shows I 'm on your mind and I 'm so glad to know this. BTW: My wife doesnot read this forum.
You made my day! ;-)

Leen