Preparing a file for a 24x36 canvas print

[Brendan]

Sorry if this is a dumb question, but if I'm going to spend a fair amount of money on a large print, I want to make extra sure I'm doing everything right. The fact that this is my first print from SmugMug also probably doesn't help, so I'm hoping you can help me out (or reassure me if by chance I got everything right).

The file I have is from my 10MP D80, processed from RAW, then converted to black and white. After cropping it to 27.5x39.5 (per these instructions (http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/3674263/1/210045080)), it is only ~94 ppi and but is still 3723x2952 pixels. The file is a ~5 MB JPG (saved on highest setting in Photoshop). I can also save it as a compressed TIFF at ~8MB, but it seems SmugMug doesn't support TIFFs.

So, some questions: Is this file large enough for a high quality 24x36 wrapped canvas print? Will printing from a JPG turn out ok at such a large size? Any other tips for printing this image? Anything I'm doing wrong here?

The image in question (click for larger version):
http://brendancox.smugmug.com/photos/520751804_3nuMS-S.jpg (http://brendancox.smugmug.com/photos/520751804_3nuMS-X2.jpg)

Again, sorry if this is a stupid question, but I want to make extra sure I'm doing everything right before making such a large purchase.

Thanks in advance!

—Brendan

[Brendan]

Any possibility of getting some help from the experts on this? I know it's probably a stupid question, but like I said, I just want to be as sure as I can that I'm doing things correctly when spending $150+ through SmugMug.

Thanks,

—Brendan

[Andy]

So, some questions: Is this file large enough for a high quality 24x36 wrapped canvas print? Will printing from a JPG turn out ok at such a large size? Any other tips for printing this image? Anything I'm doing wrong here?

They are great questions - sorry we missed your post. Don't ever wait so long, bump a thread, or write our help desk :D

The file will print beautifully. Go go go.

[Art Scott]

here is my suggestion and it is what I do for all but my smallest prints (8x10 and smaller)....
Process the raw....do everything except for USM....during processing I change my dpi to 300 for my KM7D this is just dang near 8x10" file size....open genuine fractals with the 300 dpi file and now size to the printing size i want....if doing a canvas wrap I add the extra here.....then go back to PS and do my USM (sharpening) and save as largest jpg allowable using the "SAVE AS" function......

Ok you don't have Genuine Fractals......download their trial version....if is full functional and allows you to save around 20 or 25 files.......

at 300 dpi this should make your 24x36 wall hanger completely grainless (noiseless) as longas it was shot with very low iso..........I make 30 x 40" prints off my KM7D with this procedure with no problems....as a matter of fact my local pro printer told me to always uprez with GF since he printed my first one, he swears it is better than the uprezing his RIP software does............so I GF all my files before uploading anywhere for printing.

[Brendan]

Andy, thanks for your confirmation. Now I also know who to come to if something doesn't turn out right. ;)

Art Scott, thanks for the GF recommendation. I will look into this, but I assume SmugMug uses GF or something similar, right?

—Brendan