A
A-10
Desktop Color Primer
Optimizing files for processing and printing
The following sections provide tips on how to create image files that produce the
highest possible print quality while minimizing the processing time and disk space
they require.
Resolution of raster images
While a 72-ppi raster image appears sharp on a monitor, the same image would likely
appear pixelated when printed to the Fiery 3850C. Color print devices are capable of
much greater detail than monitors, and require correspondingly higher resolution
image files. However, high-resolution files can be large, and therefore cumbersome to
transmit over a network, process for printing, store on disk, and edit.
Beyond a certain threshold, a higher image resolution greatly increases file size while
having a minimal effect on output quality. The optimal image resolution depends on
the resolution of the final print device. Aim for the resolution that optimizes both file
size and output quality.
The resolution of a raster image, along with its bit depth and physical dimensions,
determine its file size. The following table shows the file sizes of color raster images at
different dimensions and resolutions.
File size at
Image size
(inches)
100 ppi
150 ppi
200 ppi
400 ppi
600 ppi
RGB/CMYK
RGB/CMYK
RGB/CMYK
RGB/CMYK
RGB/CMYK
3"
x
4"
0.4/0.5 MB
0.8/1.0 MB
1.4/1.8 MB
5.5/7.3 MB
12.4/16.5 MB
5"
x
7"
1.0/1.3 MB
2.3/3.0 MB
4.0/5.3 MB
16.0/21.4 MB
36.1/48.1 MB
8.5"
x
11"
2.7/3.6 MB
6.0/8.0 MB
10.7/14.3 MB
42.8/57.1 MB
96.4/128.5 MB
11"
x
17"
5.4/7.1 MB
12.0/16.1 MB
21.4/28.5 MB
85.6/114.1 MB
192.7/256.9 MB
