Resize Before Print Or Let Printer Scale Image?

markmullen

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I have 250 or so full resolution finished raw files which are to be printed at 6x4 inches from jpegs, more than likely at Boots or Jessops or similar(it is a favour for a friend).

Would I be better letting Capture One scale the images to 6x4 inches when it converts them to jpeg or leave them at high resolution and let the lab rescale them when they print the shots?
 
What is the native ratio of the raw, 3:2 or 4:3 or 5:4 ?

If it is 3:2 then you should not have to resize them if you are printing at 6x4 because 6x4 is a ratio of 3:2.

If it is 3:2 the only problem is that some printers do not size exactly to 6x4 and you may lose a bit off some of the shots due to where the machine cuts the paper.

What camera were the shots taken with?
 
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I've cropped them all to 3:2 ratio, so leave the lab to resize them?

You will have to save the raw to jpeg (or maybe tiff) so it depends on what your pixel count is. my 6x4 is 1800x1200 at 300dpi
 
Resize them yourself, its not worth leaving it to the lab to do it incase they get it wrong. Especially if your getting 250 shots printed. What are you going to do if they come back and each has a small amount cut off, enough in some cases to ruin a shot that is tight to the edge of the frame? you wont be able to complain as they will say they have printed what you gave them.
I always make sure anything i have printed is presented exactly how i want it
 
I would send them to DSCL, send @300dpi with their icc profile and I bet the prints will be better than boots and possibly a lot cheaper too even with postage.

Resize them to 1800px long edge 3:2 ratio ....you can't go wrong.
 
Just had a look at Boots v Dscl prices......

Dscl 250 6x4 = £0.12p each

Boots online 1-199 = £0.15p
Boots online 200+ = £0.05p

Boots are using Photobollox by the looks of it.

Boots instore varies from £0.05p to £0.39p depending on your time scale but the prints are done on cheaper printer than a full lab one.
 
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