Blowing up pictures to poster size

[BC69]

Hey Guys,

Has anyone had a picture blown up to a large poster size? Maybe 48" by 72" range? I am thinking about getting a print from http://www.rprincephoto.com/ of the new CR-6, but very expensive in large sizes, so that made me wonder if I could get a 1 off print myself blown up anywhere online?

Also, would it matter the megapixels of the camera is came from? As fas as how quality would be at such large scale.

Thanks,
Tim

[tones2SS]

It MUST BE high res if you want to blow it up in size. The larger you want to go, the higher the resolution should be. (not always, but it helps in quality.) If it is a low resolution and you blow it up in size, it will be pixilated, or become bit-mapped (fuzzy edges) and will look like crap, especially in a larger format.

[pokey64]

This is a case of More Is Better! I'd check with the printing company for their recommendations. I got these .jpg specs from the website of my local photo place for fine art prints.

11x14 1650x2100 1.9MB
12x18 1800x2700 2.8MB*
16x20/24 2400x3600 4.9MB*
20x24/30 3000x4500 7.7MB*
*Larger files at 300ppi will produce better quality prints.

I have printed an illustration at 24x36 on a wide format hp printer. The file was 4900x3200 3.5MB and it turned out nice. The printer was mostly meant for CAD drawings so it's not "fine art" quality but good enough for hanging around my office.

Viewing distance makes a differance as well. Just like cars, it may look better at 10' than 2'. :_paranoid

Where are you gonna hang that bad boy?

[XcYZ]

Tim, printers prefer 300dpi, but I've done 250dpi and it turned out pretty good.

[BC69]

Thanks Guys - my camera is 10megapixels - not sure how clear the picture itself is, or all that detail. how exactly can I find that out? It that a dumb question.

And most people would think hang it in the garage, but I live in the middle of manhattan - its going on my wall which is why I wanted it pretty massive.

http://inlinethumb55.webshots.com/43894/2004154030059734402S600x600Q85.jpg (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2004154030059734402UPTYQx)

[BC69]

Also - my brother has taken some pictures with a Digital SLR - guessing those would be better candidates?

[XcYZ]

Tim, can you e-mail the original file/image to me?

[XcYZ]

Also - my brother has taken some pictures with a Digital SLR - guessing those would be better candidates?

I'm guessing that since it's a dSLR, it's 300dpi. The point and shoots are 72dpi.

[monza]

If you can get the image in RAW (file format on SLR) you could make a billboard, so any size....

That would be a cool poster. There will be lots of places around you to get a large format image printed.

[BC69]

Scott confirmed for me its only 180dpi for that particular picture - but my brother has some dSLR shots around and is looking for a place that might blow it up for me.

The weather is slowly starting to come around, but still be a while before I could get it out and take new ones at better clarity - and I am impatient! haha.

Thanks guys!

[Sti_Guy]

Just a FYI, If you have a Sams club around your area they often have a photo center that do posters up to 24x36. I have done a couple myself with my D50/D80 that have turned out great. Best thing is they are only like 22$

[tones2SS]

I think there are settings on your camera that may bump it up to a higher resolution when taking pictures?? I have that option on camera.
The reason I know about the high res stuff is, I used to work in a print shop, so I exactly what you need. Scott is right. Printers like to use a 300dpi resolution picture. The higher the better. If is a small picture, the resolution doesn't matter too much. It depends on the final size though.
GOOD LUCK!!:thumbsup: :cheers:

[BC69]

Thanks!

I talked to a printer in the city and got quoted $210 for a 48" by 72" C-print with UV protection. They also said 150dpi would work...which doesn't make sense based on our conversation. Not something I want to test, so I might just use the SLR pictures at higher resolution and go for 60" by 90".

[monza]

You can also get it printed on a canvas type material. Looks like a oil painting sort of, check that out. It's fancy art word name is a giclee, or something like that. It's great for art for your house.

[GHOSTDANCER]

I have not used this place but I seen it recommened elsewhere.:cheers:

http://www.muralsyourway.com/myw5-custom.cfm