Resolution for Billboard Printing

[Arnel]

I need some advice from the veteran members here sorry if this has been discussed before I want to have an output that will be printed on a canvass/tarpolene 2.5x2.5m what should be the ideal resolution for my render here? This will be a billboard for the construction site.

 

Thanks in advance.

[Brian Cassil]

I've heard of people rendering (or should I say trying to render) images up to 10k wide. Personally I don't see the reason. An image on a bilboard, construction sign, or even movie screen (which is only 2k to 4k wide) is never looked at up close. I would keep it at 4k or so.

[Brian Smith]

4000 wide should be fine but I always try to shoot for about 75dpi on billboards. At 2.5meters, you're looking at about 100 inches, so 4000/100 is only about 40dpi. I would try for at least 6000.

[Arnel]

Thanks guys

[moshenko]

We frequently do billboards and the best method we've found is to have a really high quality print done at a normal size (11"x17"). That print is then scanned in a high-end drum scanner (service bureau) to produce a larger file. Then is is set up to be printed at between 40 and 80 dpi. With this method we never have to render outside of our normal final deliverable size. We've done this successfully on billboards upwards of 40' (12M +).

[Brian Cassil]

With this method we never have to render outside of our normal final deliverable size.

 

And what is your normal final deliverable size.

 

Interesting process btw. But I have to wonder what the advantage is to simply sizing up the file in PS? I mean, by scanning a high quality print you aren't getting any extra detail are you?

[Brian Smith]

I too don't see the point of scanning high resolution. If you make an 11x17 at 300 dpi, you still have to render at 5100 pixels across.

[moshenko]

And what is your normal final deliverable size.

 

Interesting process btw. But I have to wonder what the advantage is to simply sizing up the file in PS? I mean, by scanning a high quality print you aren't getting any extra detail are you?

 

Normal deliverable is usually 4000 pixels or so. There are two reasons why I like the print and scan method:

 

1. It's true that there is technically no more detail but once a good print is made the subsequent scan is dealing more with "grain" (for lack of a better term), not "pixels". I find the results more visually appealing, but it's probably a personal preference.

 

2. It becomes someone else's job! Rather than me (or someone in my office) having to babysit the resizing and delivery of a bunch of billboard images, we send it over to a service provider who does the printing, scanning, setup and billboard printing. I like making my life easier!

[DennisHolland]

Billboards with a width of 9 meters, printed Matan Transfer must have a clean render of, at least, 8.000 up to 10.000 px. Regular billboards with a cheaper technique printed on, can go fine with 3.500 px and not to be looked at from 10 mtrs maximum.

 

That is my experience.

Dennis

[Hazdaz]

Here's an idea:

 

Ask the people that will be doing the actual printing of said billboard.

 

Like was mentioned above - you shouldn't have to go too overboard with the resolution since it won't be seen upclose, but the company doing the print work for you will most definitly have guidelines /recomendations for you.

 

We have large format plotters when when doing jobs that are a few feet x a few feet in size (and seen from upclose), and even 200 dpi is sometimes overkill. But when we have to get large banners printed (many yards x many yards in size), I always refer back to our printing company for suggestions - usually ~70dpi is more than plenty.

[Arnel]

Great input guys thanks a bunch. Cheers

[FlytE]

A billboard company once told me that the printers used for billboard images would not print higher than 180dpi. Maybe you could print off some A4 sheets, stick them together and put them on the wall to see for yourself what it should be.

 

Or yes alternatively phone the company lol.