Printing Format
 

A newbie question:

Do all the consumer printing labs only use JPEG? Is there any place that prints a less lossy format like TIFF or even RAW?

Does such equipment exist to even show the difference?

Any print shop should be able to print in TIFF or RAW if they have photoshop. If you don't want resolution loss, couldn't you just simply put it into a .pdf format?

If you're printing something, make sure it's at least 300dpi. Please and thanks, I hate getting yelled at because someone's photos look shitty because they gave us less than that.

I'm also assuming you're talking about digital. If you're not, ignore everything I just said.

I was referring to the loss due to compression with JPEG (color depth is my concern). The reason I ask is because when I stick my memory card in those self-serve computers, they don't detect my RAW files.

I'd much rather do the adjustments myself and have it print out as-is.

How does putting pictures in .pdf work?

PDF's won't alter the file after it's been saved (even if you open it in another program), which means you can print it out exactly how you want it (assuming the printers are properly calibrated for printing). It also means you don't need to find a printer (self-serve) that has photoshop in order to open it.

I think for RAW files you need Photoshop or some other photo editing software, otherwise they won't be detected. But again, unless the printer is calibrated in the same manner as the monitor you're viewing, it won't be the same.

Cool. I think PS CS4 can save files into PDF right?

Of course, I understand the calibration part.

So, you're saying I can just ask the people over the counter to print out the files I want even though they don't show up on the self-serve computers?

It really depends where you go. If they have photoshop (not sure which version are capable, I use CS3 atm), they should be able to open it and print. But easiest way to do it is open it, edit it, save it out as a pdf. That way your changes are made and saved. And any printer should be able to print it for you (the shop I work at prefers pdf to be quite honest).

Cool. Thanks!

How good a print do you need? For optimal photographic print quality, view, edit & print in CMYK on a well calibrated monitor that can display at least Adobe 1998 RGB. Resolution should be anywhere between 240-500dpi. Save in TIFF, and make sure you download the printer's ICC profile/s. If you don't have at least a calibrated monitor, forget about getting a good print.

Inaii, you're writing about poster quality, not photographic print quality.

Oops, I re-read your original post. I totally didn't read the "consumer printing lab" part of your post.

Save your file in either TIFF, BMP or highest JPEG setting @ 300dpi...but you may not be happy with your print colours unless you have a calibrated monitor.

We do photograph printing where I work, wasn't aware of the difference. My mistake.

It's almost always the customer's fault, because they don't have a calibrated monitor,haven't downloaded the printer's ICC profile, and or saved in the wrong colour profile.

What printing process does your place of work use?

Digital offset