Setting Up Canvas for a Poster-Size Print?

Hey all,
I was just wondering... I'm looking to create some fairly large poster-size images. Can anyone recommend some settings? I just don't know what to use for PPI. I want something really crisp and cear. I was looking to have something printed from Deviant Art. Any suggestions? thanks!

You want to design for minimum file size but the same finish resolution. In Photoshop this is usually done with a small canvas size and high dpi setting.
For example: A 24x36 poster could either be designed on a page size of: 24x36 at 150 dpi,
12x18 at 300 dpi, or
8x12 at 450 dpi
But I think you'll find the 8x12 at 450 will be a much smaller file size yet yield the same finished resolution when enlarged at final print as the 24x36 at 150.

But I think you'll find the 8x12 at 450 will be a much smaller file size yet yield the same finished resolution when enlarged at final print as the 24x36 at 150.

Huh?!?!?!?

The files will all have the same size since they all have the same number of pixels.

Woody:

Talk to the printer who will be doing the final output, they are the ones best placed to answer question about the ideal file setup for their machines.

Eh, you're right, I did the math wrong.

k, thanks guys. I just want to make sure I have a "safe" size that can be adapted to almost any printer... in case it changes. But it sounds like something around maybe 8000x5500px at 250dpi should produce an image of very crisp/clear quality and scalability.

so i mean... I'm pushing about 150mb for the psd file... does that sound about right?

Yes

You might find this a useful tool for making posters. In particular scalable elements in any document, such as true type or open type fonts, will be enlarged without loss of quality or jagginess. (But not if you draw them into a bitmap and then enlarge the bitmap ... if the font or scalable element is actually kept in its original form).

There is free software that allows you to make a poster from any document by printing it to a new virtual printer that is installed on your system. The poster is printed to multiple pages, there is 1/4 inch of overlap at the edges of the pages except in the unusual case that the printer can print to the edge of the page, such as inkjet printing to tractor-feed.

Currently the OS supported are Windows NT 4.0, Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, and Windows XP .

The main web site, with screen shots to really show you what it can do, is http://posterprinter.sourceforge.net/

If you want to download it right away, the download page at SourceForge is
https://sourceforge.net/project/showfiles.php?group_id=17225 6

The fail-safe "Directory" web site is
http://www.geocities.com/poster_printer