printing help please

[mexman]

hi all,
ive got lightroom 5 as my only editing software and ive taken a few shots that i would like to be printed, i shoot in raw, edit the pics by sharpening, zooming in and straightening them up, i then save to a folder and convert to jpeg, but... here's my problem.... when i take the jpeg files to the printers they are telling me the files are too large, how do i save and to what size for a reasonable quality print?

many thanks
paul

 

[sep9001]

Hi Paul,

When they say it is too large do they mean the size of the image i.e in it xx mb or do they mean the photo is being cropped off more then it should be?

If it is the second issue this may help:

http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/th...orrect-size-for-printing.560698/#post-6522406

 

[Lemaildetom]

Ask them what is their maximal size limit and reduced your picture to that maximum size limit. When you export from lightroom there is a lot of option in the dialogue box where select the output folder. You can select the maximal output size (in ko).... and also size (in pixel), more sharpening, renaming,....

Then it get a bit more complicated and i'm not an expert. I've never fully understand so i will suggest something and if i'm wrong surely someone will correct me. If you know the resolution of the printer (in Dpi) and the size of paper (in inches) you print you can know what is the number of pixel you need. For exemple:
-At 300dpi a 4"x6" is actually 1200x1800 pixels.
-At 300dpi a 6"x9" is actually 1800x2700 pixels
From what i understand, for best quality it's better for printing a 4"x6" to have a picture of a minimum of 1200x1800.
If it's lower than this it will still print but the printer will have to interpolates between pixel.
If it's higher the printer will resample down but i think the printer even if you have exactly the right number of pixel the printer will still always resample-resize???
Please let me know if i am talking rubbish.