using web images for print?

[christianx]

Is it possible to use web images for proffesional printing?

I am printing on cast vinyl designs roughly 100mm x 50mm and am using an image 1024px x 960px.

Printed at home this looks fine but does this indicate the quality of a proffessional print?

Im sure this is not a bright question, i am not a graphic designer and these works are for my own company's use, but i would be greatful for any advice.

What dpi is considered high resolution, given my requirements?
What format should files be in when sent to a printer?
Is increasing the resolution of web images in photoshop adequate?

[PrintDriver]

Sounds like you have plenty of resolution if your size info is correct.
You want to be printing something that small on a vinyl printer somewhere around 200dpi at final size.

As for format, that is a question you will have to ask your printer.

Increasing resolution, especially of web images is hardly ever adequate.

[Eggles1]

Most web images are simply not good enough for offset printing, as the resolution is not high enough. The generally accepted resolution required for offset is 300 dpi at 100% size. You might be able to get away with slightly less if the professional printing is digital. No idea what resolution is required for printing on cast vinyl (whatever that is).

>>Is increasing the resolution of web images in photoshop adequate?<<

Only if you reduce the dimensions of the image, not by interpolating. Resolution can be bumped up to a reasonable level if the image can be downsized to about 1/4 of the original size (which increases the resolution by the same factor i.e. 4).


For an image of 1024px x 960px, for the image to have a resolution of 300 dpi, the image can only be about 3.4 inches x 3.2 inches (or around 86mm x 81mm).This isn't even close to the aspect ratio you mentioned (100mm x 50mm) so there will have to be some serious cropping.

[carter the artist]

no.

dpi on web is 72 dpi.

[PrintDriver]

He is printing to cast vinyl. Is that offset or is it using a die-cutting vinyl plotter that prints (my first assumption)?
If the latter, 200 is enough.
Cast vinyl is used in the printer plotters we use. 150dpi to 200dpi is the resolution we use depending on the size. Smaller print = higher dpi.

Carter you have to take into account the size of the image at 72dpi and the size it is being printed at. Math. I hate it.

[Gromit801]

I have to educate clients at least once a week that web graphics are unacceptable for quality print use. As mentioned before, 300 dpi is a widely accpted minimum. I even get art from "graphic designers" who obviously have no clue about prepress requirements for offset printing.

Too many clients think we all have supercomputers, ala CSI fiction, that can make any image crystal clear. For most of us, trying to make a web graphic useable for print use, is like the king who said "On with his head." After he'd said "Off with is head!"

[defjoe]

well like PD said...some instances it's ok. Though I try to steer people away from it. We do alot of posters here (inkjet) and typically if it's 150 pdi with NO sizing in the layout program (that is typically powerpoint) there isn't usually a big issue. I tell my clients if you HAVE to drag an image online then do an advanced image search and only search for large images.

[defjoe]

however it's it is for offset... it's a NO

[carter the artist]

I know I sounded abrupt about my answer, but the problem is that Generally it won't work, and usually when you try it becomes more of a hassle than going back to the original artwork. Why make your life harder than it needs to be? So, generally about 90 % + of the time, no.