Avalon Pictures - FAQs (Frequently-Asked Questions)

Scroll down to read answers to:

How can I print my picture at different sizes?

What software do I need to set the resolution?

Can I get free picture-editing software somewhere?

What are the limits to printed size?

What are the best types of ink and paper for printing the pictures?

How can I print my picture at different sizes?

Dividing the pixel dimensions of the picture by the printing resolution gives the printed size. For example, setting a resolution of 60 dots per cm (150 dots per inch) for printing a 3600 x 2400 pixel picture gives a printed size of 60 x 40 cm.

If you would like more explanation, click HERE.

What software do I need to set the resolution?

Almost any basic photo-enhancing software will enable you to change the picture resolution, trim and cut the picture, and carry out simple editing tasks such as changing colours. We do not want to make a specific recommendation because this type of software gets better and cheaper by the day. If you buy a digital camera, such software is normally included.

If you want to experiment with "serious" special effects and carry out complicated tasks, you will need something heavyweight. We use Adobe Photoshop, Corel Photopaint, JASC Paintshop Pro, and Ulead PhotoImpact. Any of these will do the job, but they are not cheap - look for special offers by resellers like Amazon.

Can I get free picture-editing software somewhere?

If you would like to experiment with free picture-editing software, go to www.freeserifsoftware.com (there is a link in our Links Mall) and download a copy of their PhotoPlus software. The folks at Serif Software offer an earlier version of their product free to encourage you to buy a copy of their current version. We have tried the free version and it works!

What are the limits to printed size?

A resolution of 60 dots per cm (dpc)/150 dots per inch (dpi) is about the lowest resolution that results in a sharp picture. At the other end of the scale, the highest resolution you can set will depend on what your printer allows. Even a cheap printer will allow a maximum resolution of 240 dpc/600 dpi. A 3600 x 2400 pixel picture printed at this resolution will result in an extremely sharp 15 x 10 cm print.

The lowest resolution/largest size printable picture also depends on the printer. Some printers are very clever at "joining the dots", and you might be able to go as low as a resolution of 40 dpc before the printed picture becomes too fuzzy.

The type of picture is also significant. For a "soft" picture with a brushwork finish like our Castellón Landscapes, 60 dpc/150 dpi is fine, but something more is needed for a picture with sharp edges between different colours.

The only foolproof way to establish a workable range of resolutions for printing any picture is to do some trial prints.

What are the best types of ink and paper for printing the pictures?

Ordinary dye-based inks produce brilliant colours, but these are liable to fade with time. Our own "fade" test on two prototype pictures printed with these inks has been going on almost 7 years - the picture which never receives sunlight has faded a little, the one which gets direct sunlight for just 2 hours a day in winter has faded noticeably. Both pictures are framed, behind glass, and receive ordinary office interior light.

For the printed pictures that we sell, we use special printers that use pigment-based inks. Epson guarantees that the ink will not fade for more than 200 years, a claim corroborated by an independent testing laboratory. Come back in 193 years and we hope we will be able to corroborate it too!

Paper is as important as ink when it comes to print quality. Consult your printer manual for advice. As "default" material, heavyweight matte paper is fine for the sort of printing resolutions we have been recommending for our pictures. For something special, try a textured paper. We use Epson "Watercolour Paper - Radiant White" for most of our framed prints - the texture is very slight, but gives that extra quality "feel" to the finished picture.

A good site to learn and keep up to date with printer, ink, and paper technology is www.wilhelm-research.com (there is a link in our Links Mall).

Any other questions?

Please contact us at studio@avalon-download-pictures.com at any time!