Printer native resolution and sharpening

[Per Carlsson]

Hi forum,

I have a rather basic question: When I print an image with a certain resolution (pixels/inch) from Photoshop CC, is the image resampled to the printers native resolution? (I have just gotten myself an Epson 3880 printer which have a native resolution of 360ppi if I understand correctly).

If this is the case, then I would assume that I should always resample the image to the correct size with a resolution of 360ppi before printing so that no re-sampling occurs? In order for output sharpening in photoshop to make sense I guess resampling the image when sending it to the printer should be avoided since you really don't want any resampling after sharpening?

Cheers
Per

 

[Łukasz]

Hi,

an excellent question!

Short answer is YES, Photoshop re-samples to native resolution (I mean the input resolution of a bitmap send throw printer spooler to the printer itself, not a resolution in terms of dots placement on the media).

There are two more questions:

1. How native resolution of ESP 3880 changes according to print quality settings?
2. How to check native resolution?

Ad. 1. Can't answer - not an ESP 3880 owner.
Ad. 2. I can recommend very simple printing program called "ImageMagic Display" (IMDisplay) - this program don't use re-sampling - it always send printed image to printer with printer native resolution.
Just check printer preview, for example try to print 4x6" photo @360 ppi on A4, and if it is really 4x6" in preview then native resolution is 360 ppi

ImageMagic Display is distributed inside ImageMagic package, link:
http://www.imagemagick.org/
(it is real opensource, no fees for both individual and commercial users, even if incorporated to licensed products).

Ł.

 

[Smile]

I always read data sheets to find what native resolution was, or asked the manufacturer.

 

[Per Carlsson]

Thanks for the answers. Wasn't aware that native resolution changes with print quality, I'll look into this.

Whether this is of any importance when viewing prints at normal viewing conditions is also an interesting question. But even if it isn't I still want to maximize quality out of sheer principle even if it means a few more clicks in Photoshop

 

[3dogs]

Thanks for the answers. Wasn't aware that native resolution changes with print quality, I'll look into this.

Whether this is of any importance when viewing prints at normal viewing conditions is also an interesting question. But even if it isn't I still want to maximize quality out of sheer principle even if it means a few more clicks in Photoshop

Since I used Lightroom as part of Photoshop cc I no longer print out of photoshop at all, LR has better, easier, and excellent sharpening. It is handy to be able to manage images in LR, open them in PS and do layer processing, then save and back in LR where the print module is a dream to use. In addition, all the other software I have is compatible and will also operate within LR.

 

[Per Carlsson]

Agreed, the Lightroom print module is awesome and very easy to use.... I would imagine for the vast majority of prints setting the dpi to the printers native resolution and choosing one of Lightrooms three print sharpening levels gives excellent results