Basic Printing Questions

[kat.hayes]

I want to print some images from PS using an Epson R1800 on 4 x 6 Ultra Premium Glossy Photo Paper and on 8.5 x 11 Premium Glossy Photo Paper.

What are the guidlines for adjusting the size of the images in Photoshop prior to printing:

- if it is 4 x 6 paper, what size should the image printed from PS be if I simply want to print the image with borders around the paper so the image does not extend to the edges?

- what about if it is 8.5 x 11?

Thanks.

[hokeyguy]

I guess that would depend on the size of the border you want.

[kat.hayes]

Let me start by saying that I am very new to all of this (if that was not already obvious) so pardon my total ignorance.

By "borders," my images themselves do not have borders, they are just photos taken with a digital camera. When I said "borders" I meant the region of the paper that is not printed on because the printer will not print to the ends of the paper.

So the borders can be whatever size is usually used.

Thanks!!!!

[JLV]

I want to print some images from PS using an Epson R1800 on 4 x 6 Ultra Premium Glossy Photo Paper and on 8.5 x 11 Premium Glossy Photo Paper.

What are the guidlines for adjusting the size of the images in Photoshop prior to printing:

- if it is 4 x 6 paper, what size should the image printed from PS be if I simply want to print the image with borders around the paper so the image does not extend to the edges?

- what about if it is 8.5 x 11?

Thanks.

My approach is if I want a 4X6 is to crop it 4X6 with the cropping tool. With the 8.5 X 11, would crop as above using 8.5X11, or if I don't care how much is around the picture (border), I would not crop, just select print to fit.

[Honest Gaza]

Kat....I understand your frustrations fully.

I don't have a simple answer, and a lot of it is trial and error. It certainly doesn't help when paper suppliers are less than accurate with their measurements....leaving borders larger on one side than the other (or a "border" down one edge when you select the option for no border) :(.

I hope someone does offer some useful information to help you.

[John_Reed]

If you're printing 4X6 prints, and you want X size borders, you'd size the photos in PhotoShop to (4-2X) x (6-2X). Likewise for X size borders and 8.5 x 11 prints, you'd size the photos in PhotoShop to (8.5 - 2X) x (11 - 2X).

Example: 1/4" border, 4X6 print, you would size at (4 - 1/2) x (6 - 1/2) or 3.5" x 5.5". Now, when you go to print that one on 4X6 paper, it would depend on how accurately the paper is registered in the printer feed mechanism as to whether all the borders would be completely even, so that could take some trial and error. Give it a try, and good luck!

[kat.hayes]

?My approach is if I want a 4X6 is to crop it 4X6 with the cropping tool. With the 8.5 X 11, would crop as above using 8.5X11, or if I don't care how much is around the picture (border), I would not crop, just select print to fit.

If it is a large image (physically), how does it know which portion to print if it is not cropped and you just use print to fit?

Thanks.

[kat.hayes]

Thanks for the replies everyone.

This had me thinking.

1.) When you guys print with borders, do you end up just cropping them off after you print them?

2.) If so, why not print without borders all together. Again, I am completely new to photography and printing, so just looking to see what everyone does.

Thanks!!!

[kat.hayes]

Just to make sure I understand --

If I want a 1/4 border, why are you subtracting .5?

Thanks!!!


If you're printing 4X6 prints, and you want X size borders, you'd size the photos in PhotoShop to (4-2X) x (6-2X). Likewise for X size borders and 8.5 x 11 prints, you'd size the photos in PhotoShop to (8.5 - 2X) x (11 - 2X).

Example: 1/4" border, 4X6 print, you would size at (4 - 1/2) x (6 - 1/2) or 3.5" x 5.5". Now, when you go to print that one on 4X6 paper, it would depend on how accurately the paper is registered in the printer feed mechanism as to whether all the borders would be completely even, so that could take some trial and error. Give it a try, and good luck!

[Sintares]

Because you want a border at each edge.

Two borders of 0.25in = 0.5in

Remember the formula for a 4x6 photo, (4-2X) x (6-2X) where X is the border, in your case 1/4in, 0.25in, -> 2X = 0.25x2 = 0.5