I am attempting to set up my first image to get printed and have a couple of questions. For the end result I want to print the image 18"W x 12"H on a 20"x16" canvas with some text at the bottom of the image.
1. The original image is 3420 pixels wide x 2280 pixels high and
11.553"W x 7.6"H at 300 dpi. When I crop the image to 18 x 12 the size changes to 3420 W x 2280 H and 18x12 at 190 dpi. To get the image to stay at 18x12 and get 300 dpi I have to uncheck the constraint proportions box howeve the number of pixels then goes up to 5400x3600. Are these the correct steps to take?
2. When I make the canvas larger the image gets placed in the center of the canvas however I would like more space on the bottom to put in the text. I am unable to move the image as it is the background image that is locked. How can I move the image?
First off, if you want to crop to 18x12 at 300 resolution, use the crop tool in photoshop, set the crop size to 18 x 12, and set the resolution to 300 ppi. This will eliminate the extra steps.
If you want to be able to move the background layer, double click on that layer in the layers palette and it will no longer be defined as "background," which will allow you to move it.
My suggestion:
1. Create a 'new' file in photoshop. Make it 16 x 20 at 300 ppi, 8 or 16 bit (whichever you want to work with), and make it whatever color you want the background of your print to be.
2. Open your image separately and crop it to your desired size of 12 x 18 (using the crop tool as explained above).
3. With the layers palette open and both ("new" and image) files open on your screen, drag the background layer (from the layers palette) from your image file onto your new file. Use the 'move' tool (upper right corner of tools palette) to place your photo where you want it on your canvas.
4. Use the text tool to add your text.
Edited by Russ Isabella on Dec 27, 2007 at 11:02 PM GMT
You can make a copy of the background and turning it into a new layer. Then just delete whatever's on your background layer and move your image around over the background layer.
