Print Options

[brmill26]

I'm entering an art competition at the university that requires us to have the piece ready to display. So that means I need to get this image printed and finished in some fashion that will make it ready to hang. The catch is that it's a crop - only 1617x1078 and 350dpi - so I can't go too big with it.

I've heard so many great reviews about Mpix on this site and others that I'm probably going to use them, but having never entered a competition before, I have no idea what I should be doing. I've never used it, but I'm thinking metallic paper and this mount. Any thoughts?

Edit: also, should I let Mpix do the color correcting since I don't have a calibrated monitor?

[Medley]

Is there a size restriction for the competition? Resolution doesn't mean anything really, until you send it to the printer. If you can re-crop the image, a 1650x 1050 pixel image would give you a 5.5 x 3.5 image @ 300 dpi. If you can determine that an Epson printer would be used, you could crop or reduce the image to 1400x960 and get a 4x6 @ 240 dpi. 1680x1200 would give you a 5x7 @240 dpi.

Epsons are unique in that they have a native resolution ( the resolution that the printer usually prints at, not to be confused with the maximum resolution) of around 360 dpi. Most other printers have a native res of about 300 dpi. If you print at a resolution lower than the printers native resolution, then the resolution used should be a 'harmonic' of the native resolution. So on any other printer, a resolution of 150 is good, 200 is better, and 300 is best. On an Epson however, those numbers are 180, 240, and 360 respectively.

There has been a lot of debate as to wether or not the human eye can differentiate an image printed at 240 dpi from one printed at 300 dpi. I believe that it is possible, but it takes a well trained eye. To the average viewer, there is no difference.

What all this means to you is that IF you can get the image printed on an Epson, then you can probably get away with a slightly larger image by using 240 dpi. But I wouldn't try 240 dpi on any other printer, because it just won't look as good.

Just my two cents. Hope it helps.

- Joe U.

[mjs1973]

When you order your image from Mpix, they will limit the size of the print you can make based on the size of the image you uploade. At lease it does when I order from a PC running XP. It doesn't limit me when I order on a Mac. The general rule for Mpix is that 100 pixels = 1". So for a 20x30 print they say you need an image that is 2000x3000 pixels. So for your imge, you should be able to order an 8x12 and maybe even the 11x14 in the Standout.

I haven't ordered any of the standouts from Mpix yet, but I have ordered a few prints framed from them. I was really happy with the black metal framed print that I got. The wooden frames were ok, but not that great. They had some small gaps in the corners on them.

A couple other options:

If you order a standard sized print, you can go to a local store and buy a frame to put it in. I always buy the frames that already have a matte in them. I get a lot of complements on them. I don't tell the costomers that they are from Wal-mart.

I also order pre-cut mattes from B&H to mount my prints in. You can order plane matte board to use as the backer board, or get a piece of foam core board and cut it yourself. Use a good sharp razor and a straight edge! Then mount them together with some douple sided photo tape.

[mjs1973]

If you check out the newest episode of Photoshop User TV (126), they have a standout from Mpix printed on metallic paper right at the begining of the show.

[Frog]

What are the size and presentation restrictions for the show?
I know most photo comps don't allow framing and don't know if the stand out thing counts for that. Probably has to be mounted on a cut to size mat board or something.
Go with the biggest size you can get from it and I'd splurge and get a print in all the different papers they offer to make a good comparison.

[brmill26]

Thanks for all the tips guys! I'm thinking of going with 8x12, as that fits the aspect ratio and according to Mpix the resolution should be sufficient. I am running a PC w/ XP, so it should let me know if it's not. Thanks for the link and cheap framing tips MJS, that's ALWAYS good to know on a student budget!

Any thoughts on the color correction option - what do you guys who use Mpix usually do? And for any of you who have used metallic paper, in your personal opinion, would the above picture look good on it, or would it give the water a too unnatural look?

Frog - I asked about size recommendations, and this was the direct reply "if your artwork exceeds 24 x 36 inches, we probably should discuss a limit on the number of pieces. Otherwise, size is really not an issue. Photography and other works should be framed and ready to hang." I definitely won't be doing anything that big no matter what for cost reasons.

[mjs1973]

I have never used the metallic paper for anything that had water in it. The pics that I used metallic paper for had some pretty strong colors in them to begin with, and the paper made them pop. On my monitor, I'm not seeing any real strong colors in your image, but the paper may bring out the oranges in the rocks pretty good. The only way to tell for sure it so get it printed and see what it looks like.

As for the color correction. I do not have a calibrated system either, and I have printed from Mpix both with, and without them checking my images. To be honest, I haven't noticed a difference in the final print. They have all looked really good to me. The only exception is some slides that I had scanned. I didn't notice the color cast on the images until I got the prints back. The prints looked really purple. When I went back and looked at the files I had sent, those too looked very purple. I fixed them myself, and resent them for printing. The color correction work that they do is pretty minor and I'm guessing you wouldn't even know they did anything to your image.

[brmill26]

Thank you very, very much again MJS. You and everyone else are such a fantastic resource here; your help is invaluable!

[brmill26]

Mpix rocks! Pictures were ordered about lunch time on Wednesday, standard shipping, and were at my door today, Friday. Very impressive. The metallic paper looks incredible, I'm very happy with it. Only thing is, I've just now discovered that trying to find pre-made 8x12 frames is about like hunting for unicorns. Oh well.

Again, thanks for all the help!

[mjs1973]

Yup, forgot to mention, they are fast too.

What I do for odd sized prints that you can't find a standard sized frame for is to order a pre cut matte that the print will fit, but is also sized for a standard size frame.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...t=Submit+Query

I think the 16x20 is pretty standard so you should be able to find a frame that size. The only problem when buying an off the shelf frame like this to put your own matte in, is that you have to make sure the frame is deep enough for the matte to fit in it. Most of the time, when I buy a pre cut matte, I leave the print in the matte, and sell it like that, without a frame. That way the customer can choose their own frame. The show you are entering in, may be able to hang just the matted print, without a frame.

[Frog]

I know Michaels and probably Ben Franklin have 'make your own frame' kits. Not sure what the sizes are. They are more likely to carry frames of different sizes too.

[mjs1973]

I forgot about those frame kits. I have used them in the past with pretty good results. If you go that route, one tip I can tell you is to take a black marker, and color the inside of the frame where the corners come together. On the ones that I used, the visible part of the frame was stained, but nothing else was. When you put them together you could see a light seam where some of the non stained wood was. By coloring it with black marker first, it was a lot less noticeable.

Of course there is always the custom framing option. Not cheap, but they usually look great, and you have tons of options.

[brmill26]

Thanks again for the tips guys. I went to 3 different stores, including a large local framing business, and none of them had anything pre-made for 8x12s. So I went down to Hobby Lobby and they were having a sale, 50% off frames and matboards. So I got some 12x16 frames; they didn't have any pre-cut matboards so I bought a sheet thinking I'd just make my own. Well, I did make one, and it looks decent, but even using xacto razors it was way too hard to cut, so I ordered a couple of those pre-made ones from Adorama (b/c they had a wider variety than B&H). Thanks for the link MJS.

I saw some frame kits at Hobby Lobby, but they were ridiculously expensive in comparison - about $7 per 2 piece section, then you need glass, hangers, etc. The 12x16 frames I got were nice-looking black painted wood, fairly simple (but not just square) trim, for $14 @ 50% off. So definitely a much better deal there.

[freygr]

Thanks again for the tips guys. I went to 3 different stores, including a large local framing business, and none of them had anything pre-made for 8x12s. So I went down to Hobby Lobby and they were having a sale, 50% off frames and matboards. So I got some 12x16 frames; they didn't have any pre-cut matboards so I bought a sheet thinking I'd just make my own. Well, I did make one, and it looks decent, but even using xacto razors it was way too hard to cut, so I ordered a couple of those pre-made ones from Adorama (b/c they had a wider variety than B&H). Thanks for the link MJS.

I saw some frame kits at Hobby Lobby, but they were ridiculously expensive in comparison - about $7 per 2 piece section, then you need glass, hangers, etc. The 12x16 frames I got were nice-looking black painted wood, fairly simple (but not just square) trim, for $14 @ 50% off. So definitely a much better deal there.

I cut my own mats. Just get one of the Logan Adpat-A-Rule and the two mat cutters (90 and 45 degree). They don't sell precut panorama mats

As far as printing I've found that the Epson C80-C86 and now the R-2400 have always given me very good looking prints down to 150 dpi, if I do my part with the photo and make sure that I don't have an out of ink problem.

[brmill26]

That's an interesting idea freygr; I didn't even know there was such a thing. Maybe if I do more framing in the future I might get a cutter... that'd be very economical after only a few uses. As far as the printing, that's definitely going to be left to the pros for a while longer.