Fractals/print

How to make quality prints of 2D static images (computer graphic, non-photographic digital images), escpecially fractal images ?

To get quality print one should choose:

• base
  • ( paper type )
  • size
  • resolution ( dpi)
• main print method

file

• type and version
• ink limit
• colors
  • specyfication
  • data

type

• pdf type version 1.3.

color

color profile

• ICC color profile of printig device

base

• type
• size
• maximal ink limit

types

There are three main types of large posters:

• Paper posters are the most common type of large poster. For indoor and outdooruse after lamination
• Vinyl posters for outdoor use.
• Fabric posters for indoor use.

Paper

• GSM stands for grams per square meter and determines how heavy the paper stock is

Different paper types for posters include:

• Gloss ( Gloss Art FSC or 150gsm ) a glossy sheen to any poster. The shiny finish encourages an eye-catching look for your poster designs and is available in six different paper weights.
• Bond – 100% recycled and high-quality, bond paper is an environmentally-friendly poster option. It’s durable and available in two different weights at Solopress.
• Day Glo – For a fluorescent colour scheme, day glo posters are the go-to. With a luminous effect, this paper is perfect for making a huge impression.
• Light Box – When you’re using a back light to illuminate a poster advert, print it on light box paper. It’s the ideal method for use in cinemas, theatres and on the street.
• 170gsm Silk

maximal ink limit

When several colors are printed on top of each other, there is a limit to the amount of ink or toner that can be put on paper. This maximum total dot percentage is referred to as either

Names

• TIC = Total Ink Coverage
• TAC (Total Area Coverage, pl. Suma wartości tonalnych)
• TIL ( TOTAL INK LIMIT )

The limit depends on a number of parameters:

• the printing process type (digital, sheet offset, web offset (heatset or non-heatset), laser printer,…) and many of it's parameters
• the paper stock (coated or uncoated,…)

How to check total ink coverage ?

• check settings in your program

How to avoid exceeding total area coverage ?

• choose paper type, printing device and method and then set up appropriate ink limit in your program
• make RGB to CMYK converion

What happens when one exceeds TAC ?

• the ink that gets laid down last won’t attach properly to the previous layers, leading to muddy browns in neutral areas
• the ink also won’t dry properly on the press sheets. This can cause set-off where the ink of a still wet sheet rubs off on whatever is stacked on top of it

editing program

• GIMP has no CMYK
• Krita has CMYK but can't export to pdf
• Scribus supports professional publishing features, such as CMYK colors, spot colors, ICC color management and versatile PDF creation

print

Printing method

• a litho print involves the printer making a set of 'plates' that are used to press the image to the paper. Creating these plates comes at a cost and doesn’t offer the immediacy of digital poster printing. The initial outlay can be expensive, but if you’re doing a large print run and want to output up to A1, it’s the process that offers a higher quality print and finish than digital printing.
• Digital printing with inkjet in wikipedia or laser printers is the cheaper and quicker of the two and good for smaller print runs. If budget is an issue and you’re not being too exacting over the quality, go with digital printing. This is also fine if you're not going above A3.

printing resolution

DPI ( dots per inch)

• 300 dpi does the trick
• 600 dpi is good for graphics
• 1200 dpi is ready to be sent to the company executives
• 1440+ dpi is professional-level photographic print quality

size

How to choose poster size ?

SIZE	DIMENSION
Smallest	 8.5×11 in = 21.59 × 27.94 cm = minimal size of the poster
Small	    11 × 17 in = 27.94 × 43.18 cm = for indoors in bars or shop windows
Medium	    18 × 24 in = 45.72 × 60.96 cm = for gig and event posters
Large	    24 × 36 in = 60.96 × 91.44 cm = posters hanging in exhibition halls or museums
very large	27 × 40 in = 68.58 × 101.6 cm = for Movie
biggest	40 × 60 in = 101.6 × 152.4 cm = for Bus Stop

• 

How to choose image resolution ( ppi) ?

It depends on:

• paper size
• print resolution

Examples :

A sizes (1.413 ratio):

• A4 Paper Poster Size: 8.5” x 11” = (21 x 29.7 cm) = 2 550 x 3 300 points ( at 300 dpi ) =
• A3 = 420 x 297 mm = 42 x 29.7 cm = 16.54 x 11.69 in = 4 962 x 3 507 points ( at 300 dpi)
• A2 = 594 x 420 mm = 59.4 x 42 cm = 23.39 x 16.54 in = 7 017 x 4 962 points ( at 300 dpi )
• A1 = 841 x 594 mm = 84.1 x 59.4 cm = 33.11 x 23.39 in = 9 933 x 7 017 points ( at 300 dpi)
• A0 = 1189 x 841 mm = 118.9 x 84.1 cm = 46.81 x 33.11 in = 14 043 x 9 933 points ( at 300 dpi)

B sizes ( 1.4 ratio)

• B2 = 707 x 500 mm = 70.7 x 50 cm = 27.83 x 19.69 in = 8 349 x 5 907 point ( at 300 dpi)
• B1 = 1000 x 707 mm = 100 x 70.7 cm = 39.37 x 27.83 in =
• B0 = 1400 x 1000 mm 140 x 100 cm = 55.12 x 39.37 in =

How to compute image resolution ?

image resolution ( pixel x pixels) = paper size ( inch) x printing resolution ( dpi)

See also

• How to make 2D static images (computer graphic, non-photographic digital images), escpecially fractal images for display ?