I was just scanning some old Monogram Albatross decals - just in case the decals fail on application and I need to print a new set.
The 2400 dpi , of course, produces the best image and forestalls rastering quite a bit.
My question is:
what scan resolution is most practical for printing onto decal paper?
I typically use 600, but have gone to 800 or even 1200 with highly detailed decals for smaller scales.
Also, when scanning decals for resizing for smaller scales, set ppi appropriately when resizing.
Thanks for the info, Don ! [:D]
Since this is something done only occassionally, I’m just curious why one wouldn’t want to use the highest resolution avialable to retain as much IQ as possible?
This isn’t a suggestion, it is a question.
File size. My computer isn’t a world beating gamer machine, and if the file size gets too large, it really bogs down during editing, especially if I am using “layers.” My drives are now big enough I don’t worry about having room for big files, but the time problem still affects me.
I don’t have a problem yet with file size as I built a new computer for running 64 bit 3D Modeling software:
4 GHz i7 CPU , 32 GB RAM , NVIDIA 4GB Video RAM.
I presume the extra resolution gained in a high resolution scan would be lost in the translation when output is sent to any printer other than those meant to print large, high quality photos.[^o)]
True. The ppi specs on printers are readily available, however, so you can see which printers might work better with the higher res scans.
Thanks again, Don.
I’ll most likely follow your example and check the specs on photo printers and the type of ink they use.
Then I can print photos larger than the 3x5 inch as well as decals.
This is a bit off the subject but I remember you use Paintshop Pro. Do you print decals as a raster file? Wouldn’t they print better as a vector file if converted?
Vector vs Raster doesn’t really affect resolution all that much. It depends on the source of your art work. If you are doing the graphics from scratch, vector may be a bit more consistant. But if you are doing work based on photo originals, it would start as a raster and I don’t see a good reason to convert.
Also, on some original artwork, staying raster gives me some extra options in applying effects. PSP does allow mixed files, some vector layers and some raster layers.
In any case, vector files get converted to raster when printing- that is, the printer driver works with raster. A plotter is needed to actually print vector as vector.
That’s good to know. Thanks.