HELP! Photoshop Print Problem.... - SBB Digital Scrapbooking Forums | Scrapbook-Bytes

schotzie910 · #1 (**permalink**) 05-22-2004

I am so confused!

If I download a template or backgrounds from this site and create and print them, they turn out TERRIFIC. Perfect, clean, crisp text and photo.

If I do my own design from scratch, the print comes out fuzzy and rough...

What am I doing wrong?

From what I can see, all the settings are identical. It's probably something really obvious.

Like I said, if I type something from a downloaded object from here = perfect. Do it myself = crap.

HELP!

ashmark · #2 (**permalink**) 05-23-2004

What resolution are you using when you create your own. The ones downloaded from here are 300 dpi. If the resolution is a lot smaller you will get fuzzy and blurry prints. Most programs there default resolution is just 72 dpi. They are find for viewing on the computer but not for print. Hope this helps.

Vivian

schotzie910 · #3 (**permalink**) 05-23-2004

This would be the resolution, then yes? Then that is what it is! 72 pixels per inch is what they are default set to create. I can up that to 300 then?

Is there any way to save an already created image at a higher DPI?

Mom2EllaRose · #4 (**permalink**) 05-23-2004

Yes, when you create a new layout you go to File> New. Change the default settings to the size you want and ensure that the DPI is set to 300DPI. Color Mode should be RGB.

You cannot make a 72DPI document a 300DPI document. DPI literally means dots per inch and means the number of dots that are contained within a square measurement. You get better quality with the 300DPI becasue there are more dots? Make sense? Now back to your question - You can put dots where there aren't any. You can reduce them but not increase them.

I hope this helps

MissTanya · #5 (**permalink**) 05-23-2004

Ok I didn't say anything before because I was to tired to answer this thread and make sense. And I hope no one gets mad at me for this post too but there seems to be some confusion.

dpi = dots per inch yes
ppi= pixels per inch

when you are talking in terms of resolution for scanners and printers they speak in terms of dpi resolution but when you are talking in terms of digital images and resolution in photoshop and other image programs that is ppi as it is viewed on your monitor. I know that it is very similar names and it is confusing and don't ask me why they use that term for scanners i think they should do it as pixels cause that's what you end up with on your screen when you scan.

but In ps you will see that when creating or opening a new image the resolution is visible reading at # ppi.

Well here's where you go wonky with the fuzzyness in print. If you dont' make sure you start with 300 ppi ( it's a good practice to just always do 300 if you think you will print be it on your home printer or professionally)

pixels can shrink and enlarge. so if you have a document that is 12 in x 12 in and you have it set at 72 ppi then the pixels are going to have to be bigger in order to fill the space ( get me so far?) so you're going to see fuziness and jaggies and maybe even little square blocks of color which is refered to as pixelation ( i know i can't spell)

However if you start at 300 ppi your pixels are going to be small and you will use much more of them to fill that 12 x 12 space and that will result in better sharpness and higher definition of your print.

SO you're probably saying to yourself does that mean that i can make it 600 ppi and it will be even better!!!?

Well yes and no. Most printers will only print up to 300 ppi. There are some exceptions in professional printing and you may want to check with your print press before creating documents and see if they recommend a higher resolution or are capable of higher resolutions; but for the most part NO dont' bother. It will be a bigger file and 300 ppi is considered up to par with photographic quality.

Well what happens if you have a 72 ppi and change it to 300 ppi you ask?

That's called resampling and in general will only get you a blurry/ fuzzy image with a much bigger file size for no good use what so ever. There are techniques to resample photos that are quite successful but I wouldn't recommend doing it on elements or layouts. I was actually working on a tutorial for this for those of you that didn't want to pay $100 + for the lizard tech plugin.

So there you have it my explanation of resolution in terms of pixels per inch.

( this explanation I have learned myself from reading a " few" books on the subject of digital imaging and printing. )

I certainly hope that helps you feel free to message or pm me if you need further assistance)

Tanya

Mom2EllaRose · #6 (**permalink**) 05-23-2004

Great explanation -Thanks for clearing that up for us Tanya!

schotzie910 · #7 (**permalink**) 05-23-2004

Thanks everyone!

It was definitely the DPI. I changed the default to 300dpi and haven't had an issue at all today!

It was a lesson well learned. My first four layouts are blech. But hey, there is always a learning curve right!?

Mom2EllaRose · #8 (**permalink**) 05-24-2004

Absolutely - I guess we've all learned something.