Preparing Your Files


Our knowledgeable team at DSCL are always happy to answer any technical questions you may have, whether it's cropping an image or downloading our software, you can speak to us in office hours (9am to 5.30pm Monday to Friday) via our phone lines or via email.

Our knowledgeable team at DSCL are always happy to answer any technical questions you may have, whether it's cropping an image or downloading our software, you can speak to us in office hours (9am to 5.30pm Monday to Friday) via our phone lines or via email.

(0161) 474 8680 • info@dscolourlabs.co.uk





Convert to Profile sRGB

File Format

When saving you must ensure the file is sRGB and not RGB. This is easily done in Photoshop. With your file open, simply go to Edit > Convert to Profile. A window will pop up displaying the ‘source space’ (which is the current colour profile) and the destination space is what you would like to convert to.

Find ‘sRGB IEC61966-2.1’ in the drop-down and then click OK.

Note: All files should be saved in JPEG format.






Crop and Aspect Ratios (Bespoke Sizes)

bespoke size example 1
bespoke size example 2

When sizing your image ensure the print size and aspect ratio match the size of the print you are ordering and are at 300dpi.

We can print any bespoke size you require, but the file must be sized accordingly.

E.G. if you require a 16”x10” print size, firstly size the file to 16”x10” at 300dpi within Photoshop and then go to Image > Canvas Size’ and enter 16”x12” as this is the next size up we offer from the bespoke size. You will see canvas size adds a border to your file but once you trim this off it will leave you with a 16”x10” print.

Please note: If you size a file a 6x4 and order a 10x8 you will receive a cropped 10x8 and not a 6x4 sat in the middle of a 10x8.






image bleed example

Bleed

We use c-type photographic printers which means you will always get a 2-3mm crop around your image.

When adding a water mark or text to an image please make sure you have 5mm space to account for the crop. Also when adding your own border again remember you will lose 2-3mm from it at the print stage.






Paper Profiles



Installing Paper Profiles


Windows: Right-click the downloaded ICC profile and select ‘Install Profile’ from the menu.

Mac: Copy the ICC profiles to the ‘Profiles’ folder located in Finder / Go / Computer / [Your HD] / Library / ColorSync / Profiles


Please note: We do not do any sharpening or colour correction to your file.




Screen Calibration

It is extremely important that your monitor is correctly calibrated before editing images and ordering prints and products with us. Monitors can often be very bright and you may end up receiving a darker image than you expected. for best results we recommend purchasing a screen calibration device such as SpyderX and i1Display Studio.

iMac’s and Apple products with a built in monitor are generally very good and do not need calibrating, but again they will default to the brightest setting. If you go to monitor settings and move the brightness slide bar to the middle this will give you a good match.






Image Sizes and Pixel Dimensions (Based on 300dpi)

Print Size In Inches Pixel Dimensions
5x3.5 1500X1050
5x4 1500X1200
5x5 1500X1500
6x4 1800X1200
5x3.5 1500X1050
6x4.5 1800X1350
7x5 2100X1500
7.5x5 2250X1500
8x6 2400X1800
9x6 2700X1800
5x3.5 1500X1050
8x8 2400X2400
9x9 2700X2700
10x7 3000X2100
10x8 3000X2400
A4 2475X3510
12x8 3600X2400
10x10 3000X3000
10x8 3000X2400
12x10 3600X3000
11x11 3300X3300
14x11 4200X3300
15x10 4500X3000
12x12 3600X3600
A3 3510X4950
16x12 4800X3600
18x12 5400X3600
20x16 6000X4800
24x16 7200X4800
20x30 6000X9000
For more calculations click here.