Going from Photoshop to Walmart

[oldguyrich]

When I save the finished photo in Photoshop, what file size ( resolution) should i use in this example, to make an 8x10? Photoshop Default is 72, but i know that wont work..when i increase the resolution size, the file size goes crazy big.... I am getting them printed at the local Walmart (stop laughing...) Thanks for the help.
while I am at it, who do you use to print your Photos, if you want them to come out their best?

[WVCoalMiner]

Try Colorinc Color Incorporated - Digital Pro Lab Thats who I use and there is also Meridian MeridianPro.com | Home
Those are the 2 labs I use.

[oldguyrich]

Thanks WVcoalminer.... My family is full of coal miners , so you gotta be a good guy..
What resolution do you send them?

[WVCoalMiner]

Usually 240 pixels/inch

[oldguyrich]

Originally Posted by WVCoalMiner

Try Colorinc Color Incorporated - Digital Pro Lab Thats who I use and there is also Meridian MeridianPro.com | Home
Those are the 2 labs I use.

the instructions on this site says "avoid sharpening.", and " use file size no larger than original image"... if i edit anything on the images, it would be sharpening, and levels.. which make the file size when saved form photoshop way way bigger than original image size. how do you do it?

[Edsport]

No larger means the dimensions i assume. I can't see why there is no sharpening though. I always sharpen mine...

[thisisbenji]

I always do a moderate amount of sharping (I do this at 100% zoom). After that I change the resolution to 300 dpi. Both of these techniques were suggested to mean by a college professor, and also my uncle who works with the printing presses that are used to make huge posters agreed that they were a good idea.

Edit: In the book The Practical Zone System for Film and Digital Photography author Chris Johnson states that the ideal resolution for print is between 240 - 360 ppi. 72 ppi is for viewing on a computer screen. The less ppi your image has the larger it will be when you print it. So if you have a large enough file to print 12 x 8 at 360 ppi when reduced to 240 ppi that same file should be able to print at approximately 16 x 12.

Also, when you change the images resolution your going to want to uncheck the box that says "resample image" as if that option is checked photoshop will use algorithms to create pixels that the camera did not capture, which will deteriorate your photo quality.

I hope that helps.