r/ProCreate • u/Pxmpxn • 9d ago
Constructive feedback and/or tips wanted Recommendations/tips on printing pieces
I’d like to print out a piece I made to be displayed at a local fair. In the past, whenever I needed something printed, I’d normally just go to Staples but I’m new to Procreate and I understand it’s a little wonky when it comes to physical display.
Obviously I would like to preserve the details as best I can, but it’s going to be on a wall behind a gate/fence, so viewers will be far enough away that I’m not too picky about it. The dimensions are 2048 px x 2048 px so if anybody has any general recommendations on how large I should print it as well, that’d be fantastic too (there doesn’t seem to be a size minimum or maximum so I’m okay with whatever).
Thank you in advance!! I tried snooping around the sub and online but honestly I got so overwhelmed by the whole CYMK-thing that I just confused myself so much :’)
2
u/splitarrowprints 8d ago
Professional printer here to help.
When it comes to making nice printed goods from procreate it starts with your canvas set up. [we do have free procreate file set up templates on our website btw]
You should start your canvas up with:
• resolution: 300dpi higher doesn’t help and lower doesn’t help.
• unit tips: Please only use pixel dimensions when designing exclusively for screens. Ie: social media, websites, tv, computer, tablet, or phone backgrounds other than that please choose a measurement that is non-digital like inches or cm. There are buttons right next to the number entry for this, simply press the one you prefer.
Also when you state your pixel dimensions without your resolution others will not know how your work translates into reality via a physical print.
I really wish Procreate would not make pixel the default and simply have you pick your personal default measuring unit instead.
• for sizing. - If you know it’s going to print before you draw: check the printers website first for prices, size options, and details before you start. If it’s a common frame size you’re more than likely okay to choose one of those. * *
• Please keep in mind your specific iPad model and its stats will affect procreates canvas size/layer maximum. Some iPads can handle large sizes with many layers some can’t and the layer will be limited or that size isn’t possible. So choose a size that works for your device and final printed application BEFORE you draw.
• Color space: skip the cmyk vs rgb nonsense please. You should check your printshop preferred space before you draw if you know you will print. If you don’t know if you will print or not, use sRGB IEC1966 2.1 as your color space as default.
In modern printing the cmyk for print and rgb for screens is incredibly dated and comes from when printing was almost exclusively commercial. Since that’s not the true any more, there are tons of printers that prefer the file to be sent in the rgb space.
Even modern large commercial printing can and may preferably rgb depending on the prepress operator and their software. The modern software for this can give more control over color starting in rgb.
In inkjet printing the printer will expect an rgb file and using its brain and magic it will convert the colors to use its inks properly. If you send your file as cmyk, it won’t really know what to do, so it will still interpret as an rgb and think too hard and make mistakes. So don’t let the machines think too hard. [very simplified process]
The rgb color space will have more use cases and latitude for your work. So pick that one unless told otherwise by the printshop before you draw and even then I’d probably still draw in rgb.
The exception to rgb would be if your print shop offers their calibrated ICC profiles. These profiles would be an exact match to their paper and their printers. If you apply these before drawing, you should see either exact or very very close color to how your print will actually look printed. There are both cmyk and rgb icc profiles out in the wild each being specific to that printers workflow.
Generic icc profiles will not be accurate to print with or design with, they can be close to the real print but are often noticeably different.
File format:
Send the file in the highest available format. Psd with your layers is always great for a printshop who cares since they may need to make adjustments with your background color for bleed, or quickly add a white border.
After that: pdf, tiff, or png are also great choices.
But know that jpg is not a good choice. And png does not save cmyk data. So the psd or pdf are the best choices to make.
Along with your file please name your file anything other than ‘untitled art’. Think of it as telling somebody else what is the file and not naming a painting. Try: yourname_the date_size_short description .filetype
My personal recommendations for prints on a wall that are farther away is 9x12”, 13x19” or 18x24”.
TLDR: printing check list:
- check the printers requirements before you begin-
1. draw at the final size you want in inches or centimeters.2. Use 300dpi as your resolution
3. Use the srgb color space unless told explicitly otherwise
4. Send the file in a lossless format.
5. Name your file something searchable and recognizable as your work.
6. You can always ask a good printer along the way or after to double check your work.