Slides from Photoshop and other scanned or digitally created files

Slides are no problem from your digital files. Some points to consider though.

File size
35mm slides have a dimension ratio of 3:2 – we output slides at 4096 x 2732 pixels (exactly that and always that) so if you are creating artwork in Photoshop then this is the resolution you need to use for best quality – dpi or ppi are irrelevant, it is pixels that count! (This is often a mystery to people more used to print media – dpi is meaningless without a size and ‘300dpi’ most certainly doesn’t mean high res! This is why we work in absolute not relative dimensions.)

If your image does not fit that proportion (say you are working with a square scan) set the image to 2732 pixels high and work with that. Our software will automatically fill out the rest of the frame with black. (If you would prefer a different colour then create a canvas size of 4096 x 2732 pixels with your own choice.)

Note that the slides are exposed on film in a landscape fashion. Upright images are automatically rotated so you don’t have to do this yourself, just remember you are working with a 4096 pixel high by 2732 pixels wide image.

Please, please work in RGB not CMYK.

Compression
If you are sending your images on CD then by all means save as TIFF or PSD. If you are sending images by interweb then please use JPEG (even if you are using FTP and Broadband there is no point hogging valuable bandwidth, and anyway life is too short). A 4096×2732 pixel image is about 32Mb – save as JPEG using ‘maximum’ or ‘high’ quality settings (8-10) that will result in files a tenth of the size or less and give NO visible compression artefacts on your final slides. Remember that you are sharing bandwidth with your neighbours – be considerate! And frankly, the bigger your files, the longer the transmission and the more likely there will be a blip on the line and your upload will fail, wireless networks are really bad at this!

Colour management
If your head spins at the concept of colour management don’t want to worry, your images are going to look fine so skip to the next section.

If you DO use colour management, that is great too. We accept files with any embedded profile. Remember that colour profiles are used to adjust colour throughout the workflow, from image creation to final output with the aim of producing consistent, expected and repeatable colour regardless of the device used relative to the potential of the final output media. In other words what you see on screen is what you should get on film, within the limitations of the medium. However, do not use CMYK in your workflow at all or else you will have to be shot – this is only appropriate for litho print and will seriously degrade the quality of your images.

Simple solution – most digital cameras and inkjet printers are calibrated to sRGB – make sure you screen is too and Bobs your Uncle – simple, foolproof colour management.

Summary

• Slides from digital files are no problem and look great. The better the equipment, operator and technique, the better the results – ain’t that just life?
• We output at 4096×2732 pixels for 35mm film, so if you are creating artwork in Photoshop (or other image manipulation software) then this is the resolution you need to use for best quality – dpi or ppi are irrelevant, it is pixels that count!
• 35mm slides have a dimension ratio of 3:2 and are output in landscape orientation.
• Work in RGB not CMYK
• sRGB is the profile to use if you don’t know much about colour management.
• Don’t email or Upload or FTP TIFFs or PSDs – high quality JPEGs only please. Wasting bandwidth costs everyone time and money, one way or another!
• Ask first – if you are not sure send a quick email and we will advise.