FAQs

We have listed below all the techincal infomation that is required for setting your files up for printing/saving. You have three choice on how to send the files to us. Post, FTP and Image sync. 

  HOW TO PREPARE FILES FOR PRINTING

Mode: RGB 8 bits

Save as: Jpeg Standard.

Print sizes: Make your image size fit a standard print size see our price list tables

Proportion: If your image proportion does not fit the prints proportion ordered this will result in prints with white borders on one dimension.

Filenames: It is preferred if filenames are kept to the standard 5+3 convention (5 characters for name and three for the extension) as some CD writers will truncate long filenames also long PC filenames will be truncated when opened on Macs.

Illegal Filenames: Windows illegal characters /\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\? *, ; :

Copy: For multiple copies of a file please ensure that you duplicate the said file into the same folder.

Renaming: if you need to rename your files always leave the original extension intact or else you may inadvertently corrupt the file or make it readable only on the host computer.

Order Forms: Please indicate clearly on a written order or Email:
What is on your disk.
Which service you require: - Straight digital prints, Colour and density, Photoshop, Digital pro hand prints.
What sizes, paper surface and quantity you want off each image.

Resolution: Our printers will size your images to the correct size providing that they are in the correct proportion, The actual printer resolution and which devices we use to print various sizes are listed below.

Notes on Cropping & Proportion
The proportions of the digital camera file are usually similar to full frame 35mm therefore some cropping will be necessary to match to conventional album print proportions such as 10x8.

In Photoshop use the cropping tool and set the image size and the final print resolution here.


Choose a print format to suite the file aspect ratio or crop to the correct proportion.

*6x4 (1.5) or crop to 5x4 proportion (1.25)
*7.5x5(1.5) or crop to 7x5 proportion (1.4)
*9x6 (1.5 or crop to 8x6 proportion (1.33)
*12x8 (1.5 or crop to 10x8 proportion (1.25)

Sizes marked with * are suitable print sizes from most  un-cropped files.

If the image size proportions do not fit the print format chosen this will result in white borders in one dimension when printed.

 Option: cropping without changing resolution 
Crop your image to the correct proportion without altering the resolution and risking file deterioration. The output printer will then do any resizing necessary and maintain maximum quality.

Use the cropping tool to set the image dimensions but leave the resolution field blank.

Colour Balance, contrast and density control in Photoshop

In order to retain a photographic tonal rendering when adjusting your digital files we would recommend you adopt the following steps when preparing your files to send to the printer. Always ensure that your monitor is calibrated to match the print output before adjusting any files.

1. Crop using the cropping tool.
2. Density adjustment using levels without cutting into the highlight area of you subject.
3. Contrast adjustment using Curves. By raising the straight line near the upper right and lowering near the bottom left you will alter the straight line to a gentle S shape and obtain an increase in contrast.
4. Colour balance. Do this last as steps 2 and 3 can affect colour balance.

HOW TO PREPARE FOLDERS FOR PRINTING

We want to ensure that there are no mistakes at any point in the printing process and that you receive the correct number of prints of the correct images.

To this end, please follow the six easy steps detailed below.

1.Convert your images to the Fuji frontierProfile (see colour profiles) or make sure they are Srgb

2.Please ensure that all your images are saved in the Jpeg Format

3.Place your images in folders named with the size of the print you require. If you require borders please add BD after the size

4.If you are ordering both Lustre and Gloss prints please create separate folders and label them 'Lustre' or 'Gloss'.

5.Please make sure all images sent are sized and set to the correct dpi Please note that for optimum print quality we require 300 dpi for prints up to 15x10 above this we require 250 dpi.

6.If you want two or more prints of the same image, copy the image two or more times into the folder.

(i.e. for three prints of the same image include three images, for 10 prints of the same image include 10 images and so on.)

For any other file preparation related queries, please contact us on 01268 533708

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