Preparing Your Image Files for Printing
We want you to get the best quality fine art print from your artwork or photographic image. There are only two issues to
be concerned about - image file quality and choosing the right media to
print on.
Getting the image file right is probably the most important factor in the whole process, there is an old saying in the printing industry - rubbish in, rubbish out - in other words if you start with a poor quality image file then you will be disappointed with the final result.
Image File Quality
Not sure if your file is suitable for printing to a certain size on your
chosen media? We offer a free file checking service for all self publishing artists and photographers to check your file's suitability to print to a
stated size and to highlight any other issues that may effect the
quality of your print. Each of the fine art print media pages has a section for ordering a proof print on that media, then just upload your file to our print server. We will then evaluate your file at the print size you specified and report
back our results to you.
Find out more about Free File Checking Service
Order Your Proof Prints
For digital files you have prepared we recommend that
Redcliffe print you a set of proof prints on your chosen media and send them
back to you for approval. You
will receive two 178mm x 127mm proof prints.
- The first proof print is a scaled down version of the whole composition so that you can check the overall colour.
- The second proof print is a section of your image printed at 100% of the desired final print size so that you can inspect the detail.
There is a £10 charge for each set of proof prints. The secure payment facility will issue you with your Order Reference Number and automatically transfer you to our File Server where you can upload your image file.
Screen Check
Have you ever wondered why an image you have printed sometimes never quite matches what you see on your monitor? If you have spent time editing your images and you want to reproduce them with some degree of colour accuracy, then some form of screen calibration is required.
Is your monitor set too dark or too light? Look at the middle square and you should just make out the dark grey oval set on the black background.
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Find out more about Checking Your Monitor
Image File Checklist
If you are proficient with image editing software, such as Photoshop, follow the steps below to ensure you get the best possible print result from your image file:
- Make sure your image is in RGB mode (use Adobe RGB 1998 if you normally work with 16-bit images, and sRGB if you normally work with 8-bit images).
- Set your document width and height to your desired output size at 300 ppi, although you resolutions as low as 150 ppi can still give satisfactory results, but this can be dependent on the subject matter.
- Your image file should not contain any layers or channels, use the flatten image command.
- Save your image file as 8-bit TIFF (no compression).
Soft Proofing Your Image File
Soft proofing enables you to check that your image will look the way you want on your chosen media, but assumes that your monitor is properly calibrated. Soft proofing uses ICC output profiles that characterise the colour gamut (range) for the combination of printer, ink and paper. On each of the fine art media pages you will find a link to download the appropriate media profile, follow the installation guide below to save the file to the appropriate folder for Photoshop. Please remember to remove the ICC profile before you submit your image file for printing.
Installing Profiles
Installation using Windows:
- Downloaded the ICC profile.
- Right-click on the ICC profile and select "Install Profile". The installation will only take a few seconds. You also can install your profile manually by moving it to the proper folder listed below.
Windows 2000, XP, Vista, 7 - C:/windows/system32/spool/drivers/color
Windows 95, 98 - C:/windows/system/color
Windows NT - C:/winNT/system32/color
Note: Restart your graphics application (eg Photoshop) if it was open during the profile installation.
Installation using Mac OS:
- Downloaded the ICC profile.
- Now move the ICC profile to the proper folder listed below.
Mac OS 8-9x - System Folder > Color Sync Folder
Mac OS X - HD > User > Library > ColorSync > Profiles
Note: Restart your graphics application (eg Photoshop) if it was open during the profile installation.
Fine Art Trade Guild Accredited Printer
Redcliffe Imaging is a Fine Art Trade Guild Accredited Fine Art Printer. Only prints by members of the Guild conforming to Guild Standards can use the Guild logo. The Guild sets standards for print publishing in order to protect the interests of the public and maintain confidence in the publishing of fine art. Artists, publishers and fine art printers are encouraged to promote their high production standards and the integrity of their limited editions by following Guild Standards and should ideally be used in conjunction with BS 7876:1996.
Sending your files
Choose from the following options to send your files to Redcliffe:
Send
your files direct to Redcliffe's FTP Server
e-mail
to digitalprint@redcliffe.co.uk
post
your CD or DVD to Redcliffe Imaging, 21 Dragon Court, Crofts End Road, Bristol
BS5 7XX.
For more information or advice on Giclee Printing call Tim Sale or Adrian Chambers on 0117 952 0105 or use the contact form to tell us your requirements, we can suggest the most appropriate solution for your fine art printing needs.
