Quick Technical Question

[Andrew]

I am doing a series of illustrations for print. I know the desired aspect ratio. What I am curious about is what is a good size for reproduction purposes.

Any suggestions?

Thanks,
Andrew

[birdhs]

Your printer is the best source for that answer, there are too many variables. They will be glad to tell you.

[AntonioBernal]

Hi Andrew,

I'm not sure if you mean good sizes for reproduction in terms of what's easier to print/frame, or what sells best...if the former, then as birdhs says, your printer will be the person to answer that...in terms of selling, I have very little experience with this so far, but I've started selling some prints of my artwork, which I have available at the moment in 2 sizes: 12 x 16 " and 8 x 12". The smaller size seems to be more popular for now. I've also printed an edition of posters in A2 size.

I hope that helps, maybe if you can tell us more about your concerns and purpose of the reproductions (exhibition, sales) we can try to give you more advise!

Antonio

[Andrew]

What I am asking is how much larger is it recommended I make the image, to get a good reproduction in the printed matter.

If the final printed image will be say, 5x7 inches, then do I make the original piece 2x, 3x ... or 5x larger? Printing and photo technology has changed enough since I last did this sort of thing. Back then, the original plate, drawing, painting would have been 30x40 or larger, for a half or quarter page reproduction in text.

I hope that is clearer,
Andrew

[AntonioBernal]

OK, Andrew, I guess that would depend on how your prints are going to be made. The little experience I have is with digital fine art prints. I scan my illustrations with a good quality scanner, so as long as the resolution is good, you can change the size and keep a very good quality. This means, for example, I paint in 12 x 16 inches, and with this, and a VERY good scanned image, I can get reproductions of the same size, or 8 x 12 ". I have even printed posters in A2 size with the same files and the results have been great. I scan at 360 dpi, as per my printers advise and requirement.

I'm afraid the best would be to contact your local printers as probably the size you need to make the image depends on the method they use to make the reproductions.

Sorry I can't be of much more help

[LostFoxeh]

Interesting question. Can you just test it? Scan/photograph your old work with whatever equipment you plan on using and bring it to your printing service and ask them what they can do with it before the quality degrades. If you are going to have a service scan your images, then just ask them what resolution and noise levels they can achieve.

[tomnackid]

For traditional artwork that will be scanned or photographed to make the printing plate it is common to do it at 150% the final reproduced size. This makes the final image look "tighter" and "crisper" on the page.

If the artwork is being done digitally there is no reason to do it larger than the final reproduced size unless you want a bigger file to make display prints from.

Really though, in the digital age you can do the art pretty much any size that works for you and as long as it is the correct aspect ratio. Since it all ends up as a digital file eventually the designer or printer can drop it in the layout at the right size.