Expert: LizaL - 4/11/2005

Question
again hi liza..
..Im going to carry out adesign for someone its size 700cm*100cm...it is adesignboard for exhibition...what steps could I make to work more fast on photoshop..
what size and reselution could I chose to start designing on photoshop ...I chose 350cm*50cm with 300dpi....the file size was very huge and slow...
help me plzzzzzzzzzz liza

Answer
Hi again Reyad!

Well, it sounds like you're on the right track. I would definitely work at a smaller scale on something like this.

But that said, sure, the 300dpi resolution is going to slow you up, big time. I'm sure that has a lot to do with things bogging down. However, you might be able to get away with a lower resolution. My advice is to call the printer, or visit their Web site, to find out the technical specs of the file that they recommend.

I just finished a job for a client that sounds very similar -- it was a big display board for a trade show exhibit, measuring 10' x 5'. I was surprised to learn that the printer recommended working at 100dpi! But it said so on their Web site, and I called them before I started the project, just to make sure I was doing this right.

Not all printers are the same, and of course I don't know if your situation will be like mine. But my advice is to call the printer and see what they recommend.

You're smart to work at 1/2 scale -- but you might even be able to cut that back to 1/4 scale. Ask the printer. And be sure your measurements stay to scale.

Now if these things don't help, it might be a situation where you need more RAM in your machine -- but we can address that later, once you've finished your project (I'm assuming you're on a deadline here).

But do check with the printer first. In any job that's to be commercially printed, and it sounds like this one will be, that should be your first step.

Hope this helps! And please do post back if you need any more information.

Have fun with your project and have patience :)  Those large files are maddening!

Lisa