It's important to keep in mind that vendors may need to slightly adjust images to fit the print size selected for an order. These adjustments can include cropping, resizing, or color adjustments. It's also important to note that vendors will not edit the image itself in any way. This process is done to ensure that your images are printed in the best way possible.
In this article, we will examine the different types of adjustments vendors may make to image files to print them at specific sizes. We'll also provide tips on how to avoid unwanted changes and ensure your images look exactly the way you want them to. With these tips, you'll be better equipped to work with your fulfillment vendor and achieve the best possible print results.
Additionally, when preparing images for greeting cards, it's important to consider specific requirements such as the 5x7 aspect ratio and matching the orientation of the artwork to the card's layout. Selecting appropriate materials, such as heavier paper types, can also enhance the quality and durability of the final product.
One of the main reasons why vendors adjust the size of image files is to match the print size selected for an order, which may require cropping the image. When uploading images to the Art Print Store, the system automatically generates a range of print sizes, starting from the smallest supported size and going up to the largest size supported (which is typically 66x99 or whatever can be printed at 72 DPI).
The system uses an algorithm to round the image dimensions down to the nearest whole inch. For example if the size based on the resolution of the file would be 10x16.4", it will be set at 10x16" or for sizes which would be half an inch or over, 10x16.6", it would be 10x17".
There are a couple of things you can do to adjust your images so prints will either not be cropped or will only be cropped in minimally noticeable ways.
For greeting cards, ensure your images adhere to a 5x7 aspect ratio to avoid cropping or cut-off issues.
One approach is to size your images to match a whole aspect ratio as closely as possible. For example, an image with dimensions of 4000x3000 pixels has an aspect ratio of 4:3. By setting up your print sizes with matching aspect ratios (e.g., 4x3, 8x6, 12x9, etc., increasing in increments of 4x3), you can print your image without any need for cropping.
For instance, greeting cards typically require a 5x7 aspect ratio, so an image with dimensions of 3500x2500 pixels would be ideal for this format.
However, If your images don't have a matching aspect ratio, it may be necessary to adjust them by either cropping or expanding the size of the canvas to a whole ratio. For instance, images with a solid color background can be expanded by adding pixels to the sides or top/bottom to create a new, larger canvas with a matching aspect ratio. By doing so, you can avoid excessive cropping and preserve more of the original image.
Furthermore, ensure that the orientation of your artwork matches the intended card orientation (vertical or horizontal) to prevent misalignment or cropping during printing.
For an image with a ratio that's not quite correct, you can adjust the height or width to match. For example with an image that's 6600x4000 (ratio of 6.6:4) you could take any of these solutions:
crop it down to 6500x4000 (a ratio of 6.5:4 or 13:8).
expand the canvas to 6600x4400 (a ratio of 3:2)
crop the image to 6000x4000 (a ratio of 3:2)
It's important to note that some media or style finishes may require up to ¼" of bleed on each side of the smallest print size enabled for a product. For instance, metal prints or matted/ framed and matted/unframed prints may experience issues if the source image has important details within that area. This is because, during the printing process, such details may be obscured if they are within ¼" of any edge of the image. To determine the required bleed for your source images, you can calculate the resolution of each image, divide the height or width by the corresponding print height or width, and then divide the result by 4.
e.g. 6000x4000 with a smallest print size of 9x6".
6000 / 9 = 667
667 / 4 = 167
Therefore, any detail within 167 pixels of the edge of the image may be affected if it's printed as a metal print or as a matted or framed and matted print.
If you have images with important details that extend right up to the edge of the image or within the ¼” border, you might consider adding a solid color border around the image. Alternatively, if the detail is small, like a signature, you could use Photoshop to change its location and then fill in the area from which it was removed in such a way that it is unnoticeable.
Additionally, selecting the right paper type is crucial for achieving high-quality prints. Heavier paper options, such as Hahnemühle papers, are more durable and less prone to damage, making them ideal for fine art prints and greeting cards.