When saving a photo for printing, it's important to consider several factors such as resolution, color space, file format, and compression. Here are some guidelines for saving a photo for printing:
- DPI: Printers typically require a resolution of 300 DPI (dots per inch) to produce a high-quality print. However, the required DPI can vary depending on the printer and print size, for instance, larger prints may benefit from a slightly less DPI of 240 due to less uprezing required.
- Color Space: The recommended color space for printing is either Adobe RGB or sRGB. Adobe RGB offers a wider color gamut than sRGB, which can be useful for capturing more vivid colors. However, not all printers and print labs support Adobe RGB, so sRGB is a safe choice that is widely supported.
- File Format: The recommended file format for printing is either TIFF or JPEG. TIFF is a lossless file format that preserves all the image data, while JPEG is a compressed file format that can help reduce file size. When saving a photo as a JPEG, it's important to use a high-quality setting to minimize compression artifacts.
- Compression: When saving a photo as a JPEG, it's important to balance file size with image quality. Too much compression can result in visible artifacts, while too little compression can result in a large file size. Aim for a balance that produces a high-quality image while keeping the file size manageable.
- Bit Depth: When it comes to printing, the recommended bit depth is 8 bits per channel. This provides a wide range of colors while also keeping file sizes manageable.