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Custom-print items like T-shirts, photos, and banners are excellent tools for promoting a business or event. Printing services are also useful for creating photo keepsakes and posters for special events and milestones. To guarantee your digital files turn into quality prints, take these five critical steps before sending off your file.

How to Prepare a High-Quality Image for Custom Printing Services

Resolution

Resolution is critical for a clear, quality custom print. Even if the image looks good on your computer screen, it might not print the same, especially on larger surfaces. The bigger you go with low resolution, the blurrier and more pixelated the image will look. To figure out if you have the right amount of megapixels for the size you want to print, find the dimensions of the image, which are located in the properties menu, or in a program like Photoshop. Multiply the height and width and divide it into megapixels (one million pixels equals a megapixel). For the clearest maximum print size, divide by 300, the resolution number for best results.

Size

If your image’s resolution is too low for the printing you need, you can fix it in photo editing software or avoid the trouble and start with higher resolution images. Digital cameras can be set to shoot in high quality. While this takes up more memory, it will save you from having to edit resolution later. Never enlarge a photo in software like Photoshop, as the quality will suffer. Instead, use a scanner. Print out a low-resolution version, then scan it at 600 dpi to turn it into a high-resolution file.

Colors

Especially for custom T-shirts and other garments, you need to ensure the onscreen hues will show up on the fabric. Contact your print shop to determine what color system to use and if color correcting is an option. Also, request a swatch sample to see how your favorite shades will look once printed on the material.

Background

printing servicesIf your image contains an unwanted background, remove it before sending it off. Even if the background is the same color as the print material, you will see a frame around the image. Remove any elements you don’t want visible.

Files

Before sending a file to a printing service, ask what format they require. Typically, printers prefer jpegs or TIFF files, which are less compressed and offer higher quality. Other acceptable files include png (portable network graphics) or psd (Photoshop). Avoid ai (Adobe Illustrator), eps, and other vector formats, since these don’t always convert well during printing.

 

Anchorage trusts America North Printers for all their custom printing needs. With more than 30 years in business, this print shop offers clients an array of printing services, including brochures, posters, business cards, and digital printing. To see how their design team can help with your custom print, call (907) 562-6416. Visit them online to see their complete list of offerings.

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