Choosing the appropriate file settings and a valid color space will ensure that your order is processed promptly and your colors are accurate.
File Format Requirements:
File Type: Accepted file types are JPEG, TIFF, and PNG (JPEG is preferred)
- All 3 formats will yield an identical print result on our equipment, as long as they have the same pixel dimensions, bit depth, and color space. JPEG format will have the smallest overall file size, which will require less time to upload.
- Pro Tip: We recommend doing all post-processing work in an uncompressed format (RAW, TIFF, PSD, PSB), and then when the file is print-ready, export or "save as" to JPEG format at maximum quality.
Bit Depth: 8-Bits/Channel only. (16 or 32 bit files will become corrupted when imported into our systems)
Image Mode: RGB Only (Bitmap, Greyscale, Duotone, Index Color, CMYK Color, Lab Color, or Multichannel files may become corrupted when imported into our systems)
Color Space: sRGB, Adobe RGB (1998), or ProPhoto RGB color spaces (Other color spaces may be incompatible with our systems and result in unpredictable color shifts)
Layers and Alpha Channels: All layers must be flattened and Alpha Channels removed (Unflattened layers and alpha channels will result in file corruption when imported into our systems)
JPEG:
- 8 Bits/Channel
- RGB Mode
- Baseline "Standard" encoding
PNG
- 8 Bits/Channel
- RGB Mode
TIFF
- 8 Bits/Channel
- RGB Mode
- No unflattened layers
- No alpha channels
- Image Compression: NONE, LZW, or ZIP
- Pixel Order: Interleaved
File Size:
We recommend that you DO NOT resize your files for ordering. Simply upload them as they are, at their original size (or as close as possible to it).
Why?
Photos intended for print should be taken at the highest [pixel] resolution possible for the best print quality. Lower resolution photos printed at larger sizes may stretch the pixels beyond the point where they look clear and sharp however it is amazing how large you can print a small file that is sharp and properly exposed. View your files at 100% in an image application such as Photoshop, this will give you an excellent representation of how the file will print.
Ordering Tips:
- If you are ordering multiple print sizes from the same image, only one copy of that image is required, so long as it is a sufficiently high resolution for the largest size you wish to order.
- When is it okay to resize? For professionals ordering large quantities of proof prints (or proof books), it may be beneficial to export the image files at the size of the print or the section on the proof page. This can reduce the time required to upload the order, as you would not be sending files larger than needed for that product.
Naming Your Files:
Do not use special characters when naming your image files. Use of Special Characters will require filenames to be changed before we can process the order. This will delay the production time, and possibly incur extra charges for the renaming service. Special characters include the following: ~ ` ^ : & * ( ) | ' " , ? © [ ] < >
Photoshop Settings:
You'll need to embed an ICC color profile into the files you send to Bay Photo. We recommend that you use either sRGB or Adobe RGB (1998) as a working colorspace.
How to properly set your Photoshop Color Settings for print-ready files:
- Open Photoshop and go to Edit > Color Settings in the menu bar. If you are using Photoshop CS3 or earlier on a Mac, the menu location is Photoshop > Color Settings.
- Go to Working Spaces and for RGB Files select either "sRGB IEC61966-2.1" or "Adobe RGB (1998)
- Under Color Management Policies next to RGB select “Convert to Working RGB"
- Next to Profile Mismatches check “Ask When Opening” and “Ask When Pasting”*
*Whenever you open a file that is in a color space other than your working space, Photoshop will prompt you to convert to the working color space. If you would rather not be prompted when opening a file with a different embedded profile than your working space, you can uncheck the “Ask When Opening” box and the “Ask When Pasting” boxes next to Profile Mismatches. Photoshop will then apply your working space to files that are in a different color space or with a missing profile.
VERY IMPORTANT: When you save your files, make sure to check the “Embed Color Profile” checkbox in the Save dialog box. If the box is unchecked, your working profile will not be embedded and we will not know the colorspace of your files leading to inaccurate color.
After clicking "Save", be sure to select Maximum Quality for the best results possible in print!