soft prints from sharp files

[candleman]

I have an issue wih printing full res files (10-12MP uncropped @ 300dpi) to a 4x6” size...

They look great on screen, nice and sharp. But the prints always seems softer.
Should i possibly send a downsized and slightly over sharpened version for print?

Larger sizes do look a touch sharper (like 8X12”) still not perfect but pretty good.
but I really want the small stuff like 4x6 and 5x7 to look equally as sharp.

i'm not printing with a Pro Lab at $2 a print... so maybe theres the issue.
any tips?

[prabbit237]

Try re-sizing the pics yerself to 4x6" at 240-300dpi and printing them and see how they come out. Maybe it's something about the printers and how they shrink the pictures as part of the printing process.

[LeeR]

I see a couple of problems here. First, you either need to get the print profile of the printer your lab uses and program that into PS or tell them to make no adjustments to your images. A lot of labs run a series of 'corrections' right before they print. That may be fine for the guy on the street with no experience, but its likely to ruin all the hard work you did to get your image perfect. Second, the rule of thumb is that you resize first, then sharpen. I would suggest you size the image down to what you want at 300 dpi and then do your sharpening. Also, there is a difference between sharpening for a computer screen vs printer. Normally you have to oversharpen slightly on your screen to have it come out right when printed
If the lab will give you their printer profile, and most will, you can program that into PS and run the Proof Setup program to see the actual results you should be getting. You'll still have to remind them NOT to apply any further settings.

[candleman]

Thanks Lee.. brilliant info.
I always tick the "no corrections" box...

i'll have to research how to get the profile into PS (I have PSE6)
i'm sure they will hand the file over

[OsmosisStudios]

I've almost always found that I need to give my prints a bit more sharpening than web files.

[teaking]

Output sharpening is device specific Lee is right if you can speak with the printers they will be able to recomend the output sharpening you should apply.

Usualy best to sharpen for output at around 50% as that is more like the viewing distance you look at print and as Lee has said it usualy looks over sharpened on screen.

[candleman]

thanks guys.. i'll (from now on) over sharpen a second "for print" file and see how is goes.