Need help printing a book at shutterfly- please

[sherryva]

I am printing a 2 year yearbook for my granddaughters 2nd birthday and have started uploading photos to shutterfly. .

I scrap 12x12's at 200 dpi (per dsp kit sizes)- in PSE6 - shutterfly wants 300 dpi.
I can easily resize all the layouts to the proper 11.95 x 11.95 size they want- but they are obviously still 200 dpi. Is it safe to resample them to 300 dpi- or will I lose to much clarity?

I know others do this- and in the future I guess I will start my layouts at 300dpi
(but I use alot of quick clicks and they are at 200 dpi)

I have 104 pages to do and upload- anyone have any tips or suggestions to getting them to 300 dpi- or do I go back to the original psd files and somehow change it there?

Any help or suggestions would be GREATLY appreciated.
Sherry:help:

[Meg]

Are you doing a 12x12 or an 8x8? Either way, you can safely resize your final layouts to 300 dsp, there really isn't much difference. I haven't noticed any loss of clarity at all.

I haven't printed a Shutterfly book, but other places I've just ignored the 300 issue, and they worked fine. If it won't allow you to do it without resizing, go ahead and resize just before you flatten your layouts into JPEGs.

[sherryva]

Thanks for your info Meg-

My 104 sheets are 12 x12 jpegs at 200 dpi- as this is a big project for me- I could use some reassurance in my thinking- do you recommend resampling the existing jpegs to 300 dpi or go back to my original psd files and resize the psd file and then save as a new jpeg which would then be 300 dpi?

DSP QC's and kits always come at 200dpi- going forward would it be best to start designing at 300 dpi (which would be a pain) or can I resize the layered psd file when I am done with a minimal loss in noticeable quality?

once I get the first book done I will be okay- and design accordingly- but going backwards to revamp what I have is proving to be time consuming... I would hate to print this book and have it blurry and pixelated- but dont want to downsize to 8x8's -but I print at home 12x12's at 200 dpi on a Canon I9900- can a commercial printer be that different as far as resolution in printing?

[Meg]

No, don't bother going back to your psd files. Just resample the final page, you'll be fine.

There really isn't much difference, I doubt you'll see any. If you're really worried, maybe just send one page in to be printed first, so you can check quality. I know many people here have used Shutterfly, though, and been very pleased with their books!

[sherryva]

(sigh of relief)
A million thank yous Meg, for sharing your time and expertise.

[Lauren]

I wouldnt even bother resizing the images - just ignore the warning and upload them - - Ive printed several shutterfly books and they look great - just remember to turn off the vibrant colour thing - not sure what it is but i left it checked on one or 2 and it really made the photos quite ugly - - it enhanced the reds way more than they are in my own printed copies ( I do believe they suggest you turn this off anyway )

[Lauren]

BTW - here is their help files on resolution
What resolution should my images be for my Photo Book?
Answer
The recommended resolutions for images in your Photo Books are:

12x12 Hard Cover Memory Book – 2000 x 1600
8x8 Hard Cover Story Book: – 1600 x 1200
8.5x11 Hard Cover Classic Book – 1600 x 1200
5x7 Soft Cover Casual Book – 1152 x 864
4x4 Brag Book – 1024 x 768

Our recommendations for resolution are based on ‘full-bleed’ picture layouts used in a Photo Book. Other page layouts may need less resolution, so if you meet the “full bleed” you should not have any problems printing. If you receive a ‘not recommended’ warning, then the resolution of your image is too low and the results may be unsatisfactory. This warning will appear as a yellow triangle with an exclamation point (!) somewhere on the image that is below recommended quality.

As you can see the recommended files are smaller than 2400x2400 which is 12 inches at 200ppi

[sherryva]

Thanks Lauren-
since you already have experience with them, I am willing to take that gamble- it would save me hours! I made a note about turning off the vibrant color also- thanks for the tip. (Hope you liked Yosemite- hope you post something from your trip.)

[sherryva]

Oh Lauren- having that resolution explanation does put my mind at ease- the puzzle pieces are starting to (slowly) come together. It would be so disappointing to waste that kind of money- but I would be more disappointed in losing all the time that went into it, if it turned out badly. I guess the first book is always the hardest with the learning curve and all...
Thank you, so much, for your input!

[Amanda]

if you decide to resample you can do it as a batch and save yourself tons of time!