Chapters 4
& 5
Have you ever wondered what file
formats are best for printing?
Well I can tell
you the three most common are jpeg, gif, and tif files. These files allow for
many different functions. But the most common used format would be jpeg. Jpeg
is standard on many cameras and every printer that prints pictures accepts
jpeg. If you want to print Graphics though I would recommend using TIF or GIF
file formats. I say this because Jpeg will compress your art or graphics,
whereas TIF and GIF formats will not.
What File Formats to not use when
printing?
File formats
that don’t work for printing include RAW format and also PSD format, which is a
Photoshop file. A RAW file is a file that contains only slightly processed
data, which means these images are not ready for print. A RAW file must be
brought into editing software, like Photoshop to adjust the format before it
can be printed.
JPEG vs. RAW
When it comes
to shooting pictures many photographers including myself prefer using RAW
format compared to JPEG. The reason for this is because RAW format allows you
to alter the image and allows for more edits after the picture has been taking.
JPEG on the other hand does have its benefits also. When using JPEG, it allows
you to take pictures without using as much file space, which can be beneficial
in some situations. Also JPEG can be ready for print as soon as the image is
taking, whereas RAW must be edited and then compressed to a JPEG or TIFF. The
reason I prefer RAW is because to me it makes for much better picture in the
end. Yes a little more work, but in the end it is well worth it.
What is ppi Resolution?
You may wonder
what does “ppi” stand for. It stands for pixels per inch, which is very important
when it comes to printing. For a picture or graphic to be printed with a high
resolution one must print with what is called a 300 ppi. This allows the
graphic or image to be exported with the best resolution possible. When it
comes to the Internet on the other hand many graphics and images are only at 72
ppi. This means that if you try to enlarge that graphic or image, which is set
at such low resolution the image will get blurrier or pixelated compared to if
it was set for 300 ppi. This being said the higher the ppi the better the
resolution will be.
Bitmap Images
Bitmap is a
format that is commonly used with raster graphics. In Bitmap images the format
allows for color data to be stored for each pixel in the image without any
compression, unlike the JPEG or GIF formats. With that being said both JPEG and
GIF formats are both bitmaps, but both use image compression.
Cropping/Rotating
When it comes
to cropping and rotating your images for your final project it is best that
this is done before they are added to the file. You want the images to be close
to the dimensions they will be in the final project. With this being done ahead
of time it helps to eliminate any unwanted errors in the final project. This is
just a quick tip that could save you from having any problems in the end.
Transparency Tip
Transparency of
a graphic or image is something that can really make a project look good, but
it’s also something that can make or break you when it comes time to be
printed. The transparency is something that needs to be flattened into the
image. This needs to be done so the transparency is no longer “live”, which
just means it cannot be altered any longer. Also another quick tip dealing with
transparency is always keep in mind that what you see on your computer screen
maybe different than what the printer prints off. All I mean by this is if the
transparency looks perfect on your computer it may look lighter or darker when
it is finally printed off.
Vector Graphics
When it comes
to working with vector graphics it is great because they are called independent,
which means these graphics can be made larger or smaller without losing any
detail. There is always a place for vector graphics, but keep in mind raster
graphics work well also.
Vector File Formats
Ok say you have
a vector graphic, but now you need to know what file format you should save it
as. Well the answer to that question is you need to save it as an EPS, Native
File Format, or as an Adobe PDF file. This will allow for the best possible
results when it comes to printing you project.
Embedding Fonts
You must embed
fonts to make sure that your PDF can be seen on other computers with the same
fonts that you used on your original project. Embedding your fonts have a
number of benefits, whether it is just rotating the text or having the person
on the other end making changes to your PDF even if they didn’t have your font
on their computer.
Outlining Text
Outlining text helps to eliminate the
possibility that a font that was embedded becoming un-embedded. Also it
highlights all text that will be outlined if involved in transparency or
because Convert All Text To Outlines is selected.
Simplify paths
The reasoning
for simplifying paths is to create a graphic that has less paths so the graphic
isn’t “choppy” looking. Simplifying makes for a more professional graphic.
