Outsourcing printing
Posted: Mon Aug 05, 2019 3:58 pm
I'm afraid this is similar to, (but slightly different from,) a question I asked some time ago.
I don't normally have prints made, but I'm going to be a grandpa soon, and the granddaughters room is going to be nature themed, with foxes being a big part of it, and I recently took some fox pics that I'm happy with, so. . . .
When I last printed, (literally years ago,) I used White House Custom Color, and was happy with the work they did, as well as price and turnaround time. Since then, I've upgraded my computer, (my laptop monitor is soooo much better than my old Dell hand me down,) as well as my workflow. I contacted WHCC about some questions, and their answers have me even more confused. You all are very knowledgeable and helpful, so I thought I'd try here; I seem to be challenged in this particular area.
I mentioned that my current sharpening program is Nik Smart Sharpener Pro 3 (I've also worked with Smart Sharpen in the past, and could revisit that if preferable.) I mentioned that the sharpening modes are "Display, Inkjet, Continuous Tone, Half Tone, and Hybrid Device." The response I got was that they use the "Chromogenic or C-print process" and typically don't see additional sharpening needed. Additional to what? To what I see on my laptop screen? (It's an "HD Display", and I can probably come up with more specifics if I know what to look for - I'm on a Lenovo ThinkPad W540). So, "Sharpen for Display?"
Directions also say to size the file at 300 ppi. I asked if they meant dpi. The reply was, "Since we are using the photographic process and the photo paper is exposed using lasers (versus inkjet) we do use pixels per inch." I don't get it, but OK, until I'm playing w/ Nik, and the only place I see to do such a thing is under the "continuous tone" option, and that's dpi (not ppi) - in this case, are there no "dots" in the process, and if yes to continuous tone, how do I do "ppi"? With no printer "dots," are they the same and this becomes a matter of semantics?
Obviously, I'm seriously lost. I don't know how I managed this before. I'm also open to other very user-friendly options; of course I want a nice print, but I'm not displaying in a fine art gallery, and I feel like I'm over my head here. I'm a fair photographer, and can do OK w/ PS, but evidently I'm way out of my element here. Just to make a print. Jeesh.
Thanks for the patience and hand holding!
I don't normally have prints made, but I'm going to be a grandpa soon, and the granddaughters room is going to be nature themed, with foxes being a big part of it, and I recently took some fox pics that I'm happy with, so. . . .
When I last printed, (literally years ago,) I used White House Custom Color, and was happy with the work they did, as well as price and turnaround time. Since then, I've upgraded my computer, (my laptop monitor is soooo much better than my old Dell hand me down,) as well as my workflow. I contacted WHCC about some questions, and their answers have me even more confused. You all are very knowledgeable and helpful, so I thought I'd try here; I seem to be challenged in this particular area.
I mentioned that my current sharpening program is Nik Smart Sharpener Pro 3 (I've also worked with Smart Sharpen in the past, and could revisit that if preferable.) I mentioned that the sharpening modes are "Display, Inkjet, Continuous Tone, Half Tone, and Hybrid Device." The response I got was that they use the "Chromogenic or C-print process" and typically don't see additional sharpening needed. Additional to what? To what I see on my laptop screen? (It's an "HD Display", and I can probably come up with more specifics if I know what to look for - I'm on a Lenovo ThinkPad W540). So, "Sharpen for Display?"
Directions also say to size the file at 300 ppi. I asked if they meant dpi. The reply was, "Since we are using the photographic process and the photo paper is exposed using lasers (versus inkjet) we do use pixels per inch." I don't get it, but OK, until I'm playing w/ Nik, and the only place I see to do such a thing is under the "continuous tone" option, and that's dpi (not ppi) - in this case, are there no "dots" in the process, and if yes to continuous tone, how do I do "ppi"? With no printer "dots," are they the same and this becomes a matter of semantics?
Obviously, I'm seriously lost. I don't know how I managed this before. I'm also open to other very user-friendly options; of course I want a nice print, but I'm not displaying in a fine art gallery, and I feel like I'm over my head here. I'm a fair photographer, and can do OK w/ PS, but evidently I'm way out of my element here. Just to make a print. Jeesh.
Thanks for the patience and hand holding!