BenL_DE
Level 1 (4 points)
Photos for Mac

Q: Why is my Print Product blurry?

Hello,

 

Today I received two Prints by Apple 20cm x 30cm glossy (auto-size).

The thing is, they are really blurry and have a huge lack of detail.

I ordered them via the current Photos-App 1.5 (370.42.0).

The Files I used are .tif at about 80MB → Could this be the Problem?

It may seem, as the files have been downsized and then upscaled...

So should I retry with JPEG?

Also the colors are not as bright bright as on the screen (I know on the screen they are always brighter)

so I have to ask: Does Apple Print even support ProPhoto RGB?

It may be but this would be an easy fix for my future orders.

 

Important Info: I'm living in Germany, so the Products have been printed in the Netherlands

 

Thanks for any hints or solutions, so I'll have better results next time.

MacBook Pro, OS X El Capitan (10.11.5), Actually using OS X 10.11.6 Beta

Posted on May 27, 2016 1:44 AM

Close
BenL_DE

Q: Why is my Print Product blurry?

  • All replies
  • Helpful answers

  • by LarryHN,Helpful

    LarryHN LarryHN May 27, 2016 7:35 AM in response to BenL_DE
    Level 10 (84,646 points)
    Photos for Mac
    May 27, 2016 7:35 AM in response to BenL_DE
    It may seem, as the files have been downsized and then upscaled...

     

    This is the cause - it is not possible to increase the pixel size f a photo without reducing the photo quality - if your original photos are not large enough then you need to use smaller print frames - upscaling will not be successful

     

     

    So should I retry with JPEG?

     

    The best possible results would be with the original photos

     

    Does Apple Print even support ProPhoto RGB?

    No - the photos should be sRGB

     

    for details click on your country here  --  http://www.apple.com/shop/help/print_products/routing

     

     

    from the US section here is info on getting best results Four steps to great books, cards, and calendars in iPhoto - Apple Support

     

     

    and always preview your order according to the Apple preview recomendation prior to ordering  --  Preview a print project in Photos or iPhoto to avoid issues - Apple Support

    LN

  • by BenL_DE,

    BenL_DE BenL_DE May 27, 2016 7:35 AM in response to LarryHN
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Photos for Mac
    May 27, 2016 7:35 AM in response to LarryHN

    Thanks for the Reply!

     

    It may seem, as the files have been downsized and then upscaled...

     

    This is the cause - it is not possible to increase the pixel size f a photo without reducing the photo quality - if your original photos are not large enough then you need to use smaller print frames - upscaling will not be successful

     

    there you got me wrong: I thought they reduced the size. My picture was in somewhat 2000x3000 pixels

     

     

    Now I've had a talk with Apple Support:

     

    They said, the resolution of my picture was to high. I should downsize it to 1500x1800 pixels... They say it would be blurry with a resolution thats too high...

     

    We will see if it worked next time!

  • by LarryHN,

    LarryHN LarryHN May 27, 2016 7:53 AM in response to BenL_DE
    Level 10 (84,646 points)
    Photos for Mac
    May 27, 2016 7:53 AM in response to BenL_DE
    They said, the resolution of my picture was to high. I should downsize it to 1500x1800 pixels... They say it would be blurry with a resolution thats too high...

     

     

     

    Unfortunately that is not a correct answer - not sure why Apple has so many people who have no idea how Photos works but still give "genius" advice - the support person who told you that should be fired

     

    There may possibly be a max resolution  (none is documented) but 2000x3000 is not too large - for a full page print that is only 254 dpi  - - for good  quality then need to be a min of 150 DPi and 300 DPI is better

     

    2000 x 3000 is fine but it could even be higher resolution and be fine

     

    If you use sRGB JPEGs and follow the Apple suggestions for preparing the photos you will be fine - and if you contact Apple I expect they will reprint for you - most likely this was a printer glitch

     

    LN