How big could this print?

[jnrpotography]

If my file size is 3888 x 2592 pixles would that be enough to get a 24 x 36 poster sized print and have it look awesome? This would be for a potential customer so I wouldn't want to do it and then have it print like junk. Thanks

[pathfinder]

3888 / 36 = 108 pixels per inch - pretty low for high quality printing

2592 / 24 = 108 ppi as well

If this image is very sharp and high quality, you might uprez it in Photoshop of via Blow UP or Genuine Fractals and get away with it. But you will not be able to print it directly at 108 ppi and get first rate quality.

Usually 180 ppi is the lower limit recommended for fine art images printed large ( say 24 x36 or larger ) and viewed from several feet.

There is a little tute about resolution here (http://pathfinder.smugmug.com/gallery/2246604_CgPjC)

[ziggy53]

If my file size is 3888 x 2592 pixles would that be enough to get a 24 x 36 poster sized print and have it look awesome? This would be for a potential customer so I wouldn't want to do it and then have it print like junk. Thanks

There is no absolute measure for how large an individual image file will print. A good rule of thumb for many image types printed using a commercial "silver based" print is to calculate the size based on 240 dpi.

In your case that would mean that a 16" x 10.75" should look very good indeed assuming that the image itself is capable.

There are interpolation routines and techniques available, and most commercial RIPs are very competent at upressing images. I suggest that you just need to try it and see if you think the quality will translate to your desired size. There is a very good chance that if you like a 12" x 8" of your image you would also like a 36" x 24", so you might try that print size first.

[jnrpotography]

If I were using Bay photo to print this, have you had anything by them printed that big? So what are my options then. The pixles I mentioned in my original post are at the largest they can go. I shoot with the Canon 40D, so I am forever stuck with only offering clients smaller sized prints until I upgrade to the 5D MarkII. Also does Bay poto automatically omit certain sizes for purchase, rendering them too small for a certain format? What would be the largest I could print with the above mentioned pixles?

[Sam]

Jen,

There is no one answer.

I have some very nice 20X30 prints from my original 6 MP Digital Rebel. I have printed a 40X60 image from my 5D.

It depends a lot on the original image capture quality, the type of image, processing, choice of media, etc.

Post or provide a link to the full size image you want to print.

Sam

[Art Scott]

Here is has been my methodolgy for print size limit......my 6 & 8 mp files when resized to 300DPI were very close to 8x10 print size....at this resolution I then moved my file to genuine fractals and uprezed to say 40 x 60 inches at 300dpi....(you can get a free trial of GF to do this with) save the finished uprez if it looks good to you.....reopen in photoshop and set crop tool for 8x10 and crop the file ....dave this file with a different name(origianl GF'ed file name is XXCCXXSSC.......new croped is named XXCCXXSSC-cropped) ......take the cropped file and burn a disk or upload to WallMart for processing (or whoever does really cheap processing in your area) and if the finished print looks good the nwhen a full sized print is done by a pro lab it will knock you off your feet.................

That is how I find out just how huge a print I can make that looks great....................