How to convert a jpg for print?

Draeger · 30 Mar 2013 at 15:30

I've a website banner here in jpg and png format that I need to convert in order to have it printed at a local printers for a friend.

The dimensions required are 1600mm Wide x 650mm in height (although I'll need to confirm that as it seems a bit of a weird size in relation to the current size of the banner in jpg/png form).

The printer has also said the following:-

• +5mm bleed on all four sides
• + one set of crop marks
• Must be in Hi – resolution PDF

Any advice on how to go about this chaps?. I've got PS, Fireworks, Illustrator etc but I'm a bit lost as I don't do this very often. And yeah, I know I should have designed the logo/banner from the start as a Vector. Damn!!!.

Any advice or pointers appreciated.

Rozzy85 · 30 Mar 2013 at 17:21

Unfortunately the image is most likely too small for printing and will need to be upscaled making it blurry and poor quality. It might be best to recreate the vector image from your raster image if you no longer have it. Do you also know the DPI too?

gord · 30 Mar 2013 at 17:31

If he wants a print that size the the raster should be at 300dpi minimum. That means his pixel size would be roughly 8000 by 17000 if my quick head maths is correct.

reflux · 30 Mar 2013 at 22:41

Presumably it'll need to be converted from RGB to CMYK.

NutritioN · 4 Apr 2013 at 18:16

If it's simple (not too complex and all one colour) you can use the auto trace in Illustrator to convert it to a vector that should either be good enough, or a good start for you to tidy up.

If all you have is a lowres multi-coloured banner, scrap it and start from scratch, recreating all text and shapes in Illustrator. If you have used any photographic elements, either source bigger ones or recreate them to a higher resolution in Photoshop.

Pop a version of the banner up here if you want a better guess. I'll help if it's quick

Draeger · 6 Apr 2013 at 11:35

Hi NutritioN, many thanks for your suggestions. I've uploaded the banner to let you see it:-

NutritioN · 6 Apr 2013 at 12:21

Cool, everything except the stags can be recreated as vectors 100%. Any idea where they came from?

Draeger · 6 Apr 2013 at 12:58

I'm not actually sure, my m8 who owns the business emailed them to me to have them added to the banner. I'll ask him to see if we can dig them up online.

NutritioN · 6 Apr 2013 at 13:03

Found it!
http://www.clker.com/clipart-26544.html
Grab the SVG or ODF and have a play in Illustrator.

You should be able to put it all together, I can't do it this weekend now.

Draeger · 6 Apr 2013 at 13:29

Awesome, many thanks!!!. I'll have a play around with it later this evening.

Ta.