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Preparing digital images for print quality and exhibition entries
I'll do the step-by-step in Adobe PS Elements but the steps are very similar in Paint Shop Pro. I'll use
some commonly requested numbers for size but those can vary according to the jury restrictions.
Take your photos as TIFF or RAW if your camera has that capability. Otherwise, set the camera to the
highest quality setting.
1. Open image in full edit mode.
If your camera only shoots JPEG, save it as a TIFF before adjusting anything in your photo editing
software, that way you will not loose information and quality in the file.
2. Straighten image if needed: (Image #1) Use straighten tool
Image menu – rotate – custom (usually .5 – 1 degree is all it needs)
Adobe PS Elements has a really cool feature that you can "straighten" your quilt if isn't square. Go to
Filter menu and choose "Camera Distortion". In Paint Shop Pro, use the Straighten Tool.
3. Enhance menu – sharpen, lighten, contrast. Almost all digital images require sharpening.
4. If background is nice and clean, then you can resize physical and pixel at the same time.
Set Aspect Ratio to 6 x 4 or 4 x 6 and 300 ppi and then drag the crop tool around the image.
5. If background needs to be cropped: (Image #2)
Crop tool – click on the crop icon. When you click on the image, just drag to final point, crop as close
to the edge as possible, then click OK. * for most images, set to "No Restriction"
6. If requirements call for 4 x 6:
resize your quilt to the size that will give you an image no larger than 4 x 6.
in the example of a square quilt, I resize the quilt to 4" x 4" (or close to it) first @ 300 ppi. (Image #3)
Image menu – resize – image size
next, resize the canvas to 4 x 6:
Image menu – resize – canvas size, and choose white as "extension color"
(Image #4)
7. Save your image as a new file, as either a TIFF or JPEG, depending on the requirements of the
prospectus. Retain the original file for future use so you can go back and work from the original if
there are new requirements for another entry. (Image 5)
Always save as “Baseline”, never progressive as that degrades the quality. Also, choose the highest
quality to save at. Some entries will state a maximum file size, your screen will tell you how many MB
the file will be. (Image 6)
I'll do the step-by-step in Adobe PS Elements but the steps are very similar in Paint Shop Pro. I'll use
some commonly requested numbers for size but those can vary according to the jury restrictions.
Take your photos as TIFF or RAW if your camera has that capability. Otherwise, set the camera to the
highest quality setting.
1. Open image in full edit mode.
If your camera only shoots JPEG, save it as a TIFF before adjusting anything in your photo editing
software, that way you will not loose information and quality in the file.
2. Straighten image if needed: (Image #1) Use straighten tool
Image menu – rotate – custom (usually .5 – 1 degree is all it needs)
Adobe PS Elements has a really cool feature that you can "straighten" your quilt if isn't square. Go to
Filter menu and choose "Camera Distortion". In Paint Shop Pro, use the Straighten Tool.
3. Enhance menu – sharpen, lighten, contrast. Almost all digital images require sharpening.
4. If background is nice and clean, then you can resize physical and pixel at the same time.
Set Aspect Ratio to 6 x 4 or 4 x 6 and 300 ppi and then drag the crop tool around the image.
5. If background needs to be cropped: (Image #2)
Crop tool – click on the crop icon. When you click on the image, just drag to final point, crop as close
to the edge as possible, then click OK. * for most images, set to "No Restriction"
6. If requirements call for 4 x 6:
resize your quilt to the size that will give you an image no larger than 4 x 6.
in the example of a square quilt, I resize the quilt to 4" x 4" (or close to it) first @ 300 ppi. (Image #3)
Image menu – resize – image size
next, resize the canvas to 4 x 6:
Image menu – resize – canvas size, and choose white as "extension color"
(Image #4)
7. Save your image as a new file, as either a TIFF or JPEG, depending on the requirements of the
prospectus. Retain the original file for future use so you can go back and work from the original if
there are new requirements for another entry. (Image 5)
Always save as “Baseline”, never progressive as that degrades the quality. Also, choose the highest
quality to save at. Some entries will state a maximum file size, your screen will tell you how many MB
the file will be. (Image 6)