Lpi

[Pillirp]

My name is Pilar and I´ll be creating books (like crazy) very soon. I have a baby and I'm taking pictures of him every single minute!!!! I plan to start creating my books in a couple of weeks (right now, I´m trying to learn Protoshop as much as I can, so that I can create my own pages) and, since all the pictures that I have have been taken with a 10 MP camera, I see (according to what I have read in this forum) that I´ll have to make their resulution smaller. In Photoshop, there is an assistant that helps you do it correctly but ... it asks for the LPI (lines per inch) used by the printer; do you think you can let me know?
I can´t wait to start!!!!
Thanks in advance,
Pilar Rodríguez Plaza

[Pillirp]

Can anybody answer me? I would like to start creating my book as soon as possible.
Thanks!
Pilar

[Cruiser]

Check the "help" section on mypublisher.com... Their published LPI is 175.

However, if you are using Photoshop, use the information for either the Deluxe book 15.08" x 11.58" which is 4524 x 3474 resolution. For the Classic book use 11.08" x 8.58" which is 3324 x 2574 resolution. I use 300 dpi in Photoshop. The pages fit well except you might have a little cut off at the top or bottom.

What I do is set up a blank in Photoshop and drag my picture onto the blank and use the "free transform" function to resize my picture to fit the blank. I have two blanks set up...one for Deluxe and one for Classic.

I have found that you can use 200 dpi, 300 dpi or 350 dpi and it doesn't really make much of a difference in the quality of your book. Don't use less than 200 dpi. I prefer to use 300 dpi so I can print the pictures elsewhere.

MyPublisher has recently changed their requirements and it seems that they now accept 5 megapixel cameras and above as standard. However, read the help section to answer any other questions you might have.

Cruiser

[Cruiser]

I'm sorry but my second post was incorrect so I removed it. My first post was correct.

[Pillirp]

Dear Cruiser,
Thank you very much for your advice. The truth is that I´m trying to prepare myself the best I can so that I create an extraordinary book; that´s why I´m trying to learn how to use the photoshop. The fact that I live in France (but I´m from the Canary islands, Spain) and that the books are made in the States also make me worry a little. The book prices are great but they are much higher when you consider that I have to pay extra to get them delivered to me, here in Europe. I guess that´s the reason why it´s so important to me to make a correct book the first time I make it (because I will not have a second chance to make it right).
Since I see that you control Photoshop really well, I´m gonna ask you a couple of questions ....
1.- Most of my pictures have been taken with a 10 megapixel camera; do you think I´ll be OK as long as I respect the 4524 x 3474 resolution (deluxe book)? What if the resolution I have is not as high? For example, most of my pictures are 3648x2736 (around 6,83 Mb) and then I also have pictures (from another camera) that are 2288x1712 (ranging from 1,83 Mb to only 789 Kb!!!).
2.- You say that you set up a blank in Photoshop and drag your picture onto the blank and use the "free transform" function to resize it to fit the blank. What about if you want to insert other pictures (smaller size) on top of that big one you use as background? Is it OK if I use the pictures that I have with a smaller resolution to do this? Could I use the pictures that I have with a bigger resolution to make these little windows too or will they come out blurry? I´m very confussed with the resolution/size concept .... is it possible to change one without the other or they go hand by hand?
Cruiser ... help me, please!!!
Thank you in advance,
Pilar

[Cruiser]

Take a look at this link:

http://community.mypublisher.com/showthread.php?t=2935

and then take a look at the book the poster published. I'm not sure how many megapixels the camera was but the pages look very good.

I've used pictures from very small to very large successfully. The best size for a Photoshop page layout is between 3 mb and 5 mb because it uploads faster. A 100 page book will take me about an hour or more with a fast cable internet connection. Also, if you have a 32 bit computer system, you cannot import books back into the software if they exceed 2 gigs.

Keeping that in mind, I have made books in the Classic size and used the same pictures and just changed the book size to Deluxe and it printed very well. For a Photoshop page, I try to keep the pages under 7 mb if possible. I used 3580 x 2887 resolution at 200 dpi and came up with pages in the neighborhood of 6.48 mb.

MyPublisher's customer service team sent me an email recently that for a Deluxe book the minimum measurement was 2850 x 2225 pixels and the maximum was 4275 x 3338 pixels. They said they are in the process of changing the help page to reflect these new dimensions. However, these sizes make very large Photoshop pages and I haven't tested them out yet with an actual book.

Just remember...MyPublisher guarantees your satisfaction. They have reprinted books that I was unhappy with and sent them out postage paid. If you use their dimensions and then are unhappy file a complaint with their customer service department...not on this forum because we can't do anything for you...and ask that it be answered by the manager.

I have been making some Deluxe pages using 3375 x 2625 pixels at 300 dpi. The measurement of my Photoshop page is 11.25" x 8.75". When I drag it into the Deluxe book, it fits fine. The height is cut off a little so I am reducing it some maybe down to 8.33" or 8.25". The Bookmaker software automatically resizes your picture for you when you bring it into the software

In Photoshop, you can resize your large picture to a smaller picture using the "free transform" function and holding down the shift key. You can over-lay as many pictures as you want. You have to flatten the layer and save it as a high resolution (12 quality recommended by Adobe). You will have a large file. Remember that what you see in the "preview" and in the book are low resolution picures and will not reflect the quality of your printed book.

Recently I made a book for my husband's family. I scanned hundreds of old photos directly into Photoshop. Some were wrinkled, some were discolored and some needed lots of work. I tried to use every picture the family sent me. I only made the Classic size because the Deluxe would only show the imperfections of the pictures. With your high resolution pictures, your book should print beautifully.

Use your smaller pictures in a collage type page or use the molds provided by MyPublisher. Your 1.83 mb might even make a good full bleed page. You won't know until you bring it into Bookmaker and see if you get a blue line.

Don't get confused by dpi. Anything from 200 dpi to 350 dpi will print beautifully. I have never had a picture pixelate because it was too large. I too have a high resolution 12.2 megapixel camera and am trying to decide what to do with the pictures. We took over 2,000 pictures on our recent Africa safari and most of them are at least 8 mb when processed in Photoshop. so, I have some experimenting to do too.

I hope this helps a little...

Cruiser

[Pillirp]

Oh my God!!!! Thanks for your reply!!!!! Of course it has helped me!!!!! I finally started my book and I´m already in page 25. I´m using Scrapbook Factory Deluxe 4, Photoshop C12 and Corel Draw 12. As soon as I finish my book, I´ll send it to you so that you can tell me what you think ..... I would love to hear your insight. Well, see you soon and thanks again for your help.
Pilar