Topic awaiting preservation: digital camera

ok lets say i took digital pics... and saved them as jpegs... can i use them in lay-out in illustrator (straight jpegs-)...save as EPS burn to cd and send to printer?

like this-( but its a jpg-for preview ) http://www.hotbodiesonline.net/ads/pgCOLOR1w.jpg

what dpi should the jpegs be? or what format should i save the digital pics after they are downloaded into the comp? b4 i lay-out in illustrator?

.mel

Well If you are planning on going to a print (via a press) I would avoid JPEG. JPEG was designed with the web in mind not print graphics. JPEG a lossless compression format, and not really suitable print. Yes are some forms of EPS that used JPEG compression but I would not trust them unless your print ok'ed, I have used several RIPs that choke on them.

Your best choice of images if you plan to go to a printer is either uncompressed Tiff , EPS or DCS (A specialized form of EPS).

The best resolution depends on your printer and paper type, you should consult with your printer. Basicly 300 ppi (aka, dpi) at 100 percent size should be more then adaquate for color and grayscale images. 1-bit images (ie. Linework, black and white, no Graylevels) should be done at the dpi resolution of the output device. 1200ppi or 2400ppi, in most cases 1200 should be good unless you have type with seifs or very thin linework.

Theres is something called LPI a measure of dot size on the output device. common lpi's are 65-85 for newsprint, 120-150 general print work, and 175+ for highend glossy mags etc... The lower the number the bigger the dot size, and the lower the print quality.

LPI has a basic relation ship with image resolution. A basic rule of 2 times the LPI = optimum image ppi. This is a very basic and many factors apply but I will give you a basic target that will provide aceptable reproductions across a wide array of print workflows.


I can't stress enough, If you plan to go to print contact your target print before you get to far in your design. There are many things that are paper and press specific. Do you need to supply the images as CYMK or RGB with or with out profile.


PS. I am not sure of the point size on the reverse in the black boxes, I have seen problems in the past with press gain and reversed copy over black backgrounds. The black tends to expand too far into the type causing it to be unread able. As they are codes that should remain readable you my want to bold the copy or increasing the type size slightly to be safe if it is under 14pt..

jstuartj

thanks =) .. the printer wants the text OUTLINED and 40 seperate .EPS.. files..... for 40 page catalog..... and 4over 1 cover on 80 lb glossy stock with black and white interior......11.* 8.5

[ would it be the same as 20 eps at tabloid spread]?????????????????????

my question then is what dpi/ppi should i take the Digital Camera pics at ???????? your saying 300 + ???????

** that image is a press release * not catalog page* its in blk and wht ,,,, its to faxed to customers****



[This message has been edited by mel (edited 08-05-2002).]

Well with 80 pound glossy stock, you are most likely using 150lpi or 133 lpi so your final images should be fine at 300ppi at 100% in size.

Most likely you can not adjust this value on your camera, many digital camera just produce an image (x pixels by Y pixels in size ) When you bring this image into photoshop it displays it at 72 ppi. You should then go to <image size>, turning resample off and adjust the resolution to 300 ppi. This will not reduce the amout of pixel just the relationship of pixels in one inch in relation to the print device. (ie 300 X 300 pixel image at 300ppi = 1 inch image, the same image at 72 ppi would print ruffly 3.5 inchs. but the edges would appear more pixelated as there are now only 72 pixels in each inch. )

Now if the image it too small for you use, you may now use image size, tuning on resample. However this will decrease your image quality. You best bet is to shot your shots at the highest resolution possiable, set the image to 300 dpi and then scale as necessary.

Your prints will be doing what is called imposition, they will layout all 40 pages in there proper location on the press sheet, which is why he is asking for single pages for each page. The page positioning depending on his press and workflow on how they are layed out.

jstuartj