Sizing prints (can you specify printed size in software?)

[Chris71]

Hi,

This isn't strictly a photography question, but probably the best place to ask:

I'm going to have a go at producing CD covers for a mates band (probably in Photoshop) and I wanted the finished product to be a precise size when printed, so it will fold up and fit into the CD case. Is there a way I can specifiy the printed size whilst I'm designing it? So that instead of being stored as 'x pixels' wide on the screen it's dimensions are fixed at 'x by y inches' when printed...

[GetCarter]

Yes

I've done several CD covers - and to be honest the best way to proceed is to google 'CD duplication' and read their artwork tips (most have them)

Basically the main cover is 120mm square and needs to be 300 dpi

So in PS if you re-size down to 300 dpi (AND DON'T CHOOSE PIXELS - BUT CM) at 12 cm - it'll be perfect for the cover. The back and artwork for the CD itself are more tricky, but most decent websites let you download a template.

I'm doing one at the moment - e mail me if you need more help.

Steve

Edited by GetCarter on Tuesday 5th February 14:00

[Chris71]

Cheers Steve.

It *sounds* easy, I'm sure I'll find a catch at some point.

We're talking about fairly low numbers, so atleast initially we'd be happy to pop the 'tray' out of the CD case and insert the back cover manually (I presume that would just be a single sheet, folded at one end to make the spine?)

Whereabouts do you find the tools to change the size and resolution of the image on photoshop? Only just got hold of my copy - I presume they're somewhere fairly obvious?

[GetCarter]

Chris71 said:

Cheers Steve.

It *sounds* easy, I'm sure I'll find a catch at some point.

We're talking about fairly low numbers, so atleast initially we'd be happy to pop the 'tray' out of the CD case and insert the back cover manually (I presume that would just be a single sheet, folded at one end to make the spine?)

Whereabouts do you find the tools to change the size and resolution of the image on photoshop? Only just got hold of my copy - I presume they're somewhere fairly obvious?

On my copy it's IMAGE > IMAGE SIZE - then ignore the pixel dimensions and work on document size

Edited by GetCarter on Tuesday 5th February 15:37

[Simpo Two]

Simpo's quick fix: Use Word and add a text box. Set margins to zero, set line to No Line, and make it the exact size you want. Insert the image. Print.

[Andy M]

Simpo Two said:

Simpo's quick fix: Use Word and add a text box. Set margins to zero, set line to No Line, and make it the exact size you want. Insert the image. Print.

And you still get a perfectly sharp image?

[Simpo Two]

Andy M said:

Simpo Two said:

Simpo's quick fix: Use Word and add a text box. Set margins to zero, set line to No Line, and make it the exact size you want. Insert the image. Print.

And you still get a perfectly sharp image?

Yip. I don't even bother to resize the image, it adjusts automtically to the size you set the box. You can drag it bigger/smaller as you please. The filesize is retained so be careful if you plan to e-mail the doc afterwards.

I've printed CD and DVD sleeves like this for years and you can adjust things to 0.1mm.

IMHO it's when you start monkeying with dpi that your image suddenly changes size and it all goes pearshaped.

[sgrimshaw]

Take a look at the Avery website - http://www.avery.co.uk/uk1/main.jsp?action=product...

You can buy the inserts for CD cases etc, and then download software or templates from Avery to help layout and print onto the media.

If you don't want to buy the Avery media, you can still download their software or templates and print on plain card. You'd just need to cut out your inserts etc.

Simon

Edited to add, I personally use Acoustica CD/DVD Label Maker V3 for all my Disc/Label/Case printing needs. There's a free trial, and it only costs $21.95 to buy. www.acoustica.com

Edited by sgrimshaw on Tuesday 5th February 17:35

[TheCaseAce]

you can also use the crop tool.

create a preset of Width X cm, height Y cm and save it as CD Case, then just highlight the entire image and it will resize it down to your preset size.

Not very well explained but very easy to do.

In photoshop of course.

[Chris71]

TheCaseAce said:

you can also use the crop tool.

create a preset of Width X cm, height Y cm and save it as CD Case, then just highlight the entire image and it will resize it down to your preset size.

Not very well explained but very easy to do.

In photoshop of course.

Sounds good. Presumably you also need to set the DPI to ensure that 1cm in photoshop is the same as 1cm on the paper? Ist that how it works or does the printer 'know' the area it's printing?

This is only for a very limited run at the moment, but it'll still cost a reasonable ammount in glossy paper and new colour cartridges - at what point do you suppose it becomes cost effective to get a local printing firm in?

[TheCaseAce]

Yeah, so when I am about to print to full-size A4, i select my saved preset 21 cm x 29.7 cm x 240DPI and the crop the entire image. It resizes and resamples at the same time.

No offence to whoever suggested it, but I would imagine letting MS word resize your images is not the best quality method... Not sure if it will be noticeable but i'd say it would be much better to resize in a dedicated graphics package

Remember you can create batch processes/actions in PS to resize hundreds of images for you without your intervention.