Making Big Prints

Question

Hi,
I'm trying to get a getter handle on the principles and options for creating the best large and very large scale prints from digital files.  I'm more than well versed in the basics of Photoshop and color management but there remain some issues I've never dealt with.
It would be very helpful if you could give me some advice about some specific questions  In some cases I've stated principles as I understand them.  Feel free to better inform me.  In other cases I've posed direct questions and I'd really appreciate professional advice about these issues, or references to places where I can learn more.
Thanks alot,
Chris
What is the absolute minimum resolution that is acceptable when printing up to 44”?
When using the Photoshop Image Size box with the appropriate interpolation setting (Bicubic Smoother) to increase the image size up to the maximum size of your ink jet printer.
What about the idea of increasing your print size in 10% increments? Does this make a real difference?
Resizing with vector-based applications like Genuine Fractals?
In your experience do these work as advertized and do you recommend them for preparing files to print larger than the Epson 9900?
What are the options for creating extremely large digital prints?
Are there web sites or other resources you can point me to to learn more about this?
How do you prepare files for very large-scale digital output?

Answer 1

"What is the absolute minimum resolution that is acceptable when printing up to 44”?"
The Epson 9900 has a nominal resolution of 720 dpi when using the finest detail setting in the driver, and depending on your media, you can actually see over 1440 dpi of real detail on paper. The tests I did with a resolution target and glossy transparent media produced a real world 9-10 line pairs per millimeter. That's impressive for any inkjet printer, but doesn't mean a whole lot when referring to a 44 inch wide print. For prints that size, you're going to be better off with a minimum file resolution of 180 dpi at final print size. You may be able to go down to 150 dpi or so, but you will start to see degradation in quality, and of course, viewing distance has to be taken into account as well, but 180 dpi will look very photographic on a large print.
"When using the Photoshop Image Size box with the appropriate interpolation setting (Bicubic Smoother) to increase the image size up to the maximum size of your ink jet printer."
What I've been doing for years and have seen others recommend also is to use Bicubic Smoother and rez up 200 percent exactly, then sharpen to suit and print. As long as your new resolution is over 180 dpi, you'll be doing fine.
"What about the idea of increasing your print size in 10% increments? Does this make a real difference?"
The ten percent incremental interpolation scheme was just that - a scheme. It never worked better than doing it all in one fell swoop and now that Bicubic Smoother is an option, it really makes no sense.
"Resizing with vector-based applications like Genuine Fractals?"
For 9900 prints, just stick with Photoshop. You won't be able to see any difference in your prints.
"In your experience do these work as advertized and do you recommend them for preparing files to print larger than the Epson 9900?"
See above.
"What are the options for creating extremely large digital prints?"
Do you mean larger than the 9900 can print or are you still referring to this printer? Lightjets can print up to 72"x 120". Chromiras and Lambdas can print 50" wide by however long you want. Epson makes a 64" wide 11880 model. There are any number of grand format printers used for billboards and large format display graphics.