FAQ...
How much do you charge for shipping?
Free UPS and Speedee ground shipping on orders greater than $45.00. Orders less than $45.00 will incur a minimal, cost saving ship rate [UPS, Speedee or US Mail]. For 2nd Day or Next Day UPS shipping, on qualified orders, the difference between ground and cost saving expedited rates will be charged. Note: The $45 amount must be net of all special discounts.
What size are your wallet prints?
A wallet size print is 2.5 x 3.5 inches. Please note, wallets are die-cut by default. The die-cut process removes approximately 3/32 of an inch from all sides. The actual cut can shift approximately 1/8 of an inch. All this means to watch what you place near the edge of the print and how close you place it.
What size file should I send for proofs?
It is most efficient to send a file that is proof size at 300 ppi. Example, 4x6 @ 300 creates a file that is 1200 x 1800 pixels in dimension. Save these files as jpg #8 or #10 in Photoshop.
Will my complete camera file make a better proof?
No. A proof or any print can hold/contain only the number of pixels present in the print. If you try to make a proof (4x6 1200x1800 pixels) from the complete camera file (typically 3000x4000 pixels) the extra camera pixels are not squeezed tighter to fit on the proof. The proof only has spaces or room for the 1200x1800 pixels, all the extras are removed.
How do I make my full size camera files the optimum size for proofs?
Use the Batch or Image Processor feature of Photoshop to apply a resizing action to the folder of files you want to order proofs. This procedure will only make a smaller copy of each of these files and place this new copy inside another folder. Later after the proofs have been made you can discard this proof size folder. Some people use these smaller proof size files for their slide shows.
Do you have instructions on making a proof batch action?
Yes, contact your lab representative for help. When you make your resizing action, choose a ‘percent’ to reduce the file on just ‘one’ of the files dimensions. Have the ‘Constrain Proportions’ option checked. In combination these two setting will reduce both horizontal and vertical files correctly.
How long will my ROES or FTP transfer take?
Most data lines used by studios upload 1 to 6 megabytes per minute when traffic is at normal levels.
Should I send tif or jpg files?
Especially for "ProPreferred"™-ROES and FTP internet data transfer jpg is required. A quality file, compressed one time for transfer will still make a quality print.
What about cropping and file size for wall prints?
A general guide for wall prints that you do not plan to add substantial sharpening or special effects. Set your crop tool to the proportion or size you need. Leave the resolution box EMPTY. Crop your file. This will make a file the correct proportions so your final print will be exactly as you saw it on your monitor but it will not increase the size of the file beyond what your camera actually created. This will transfer more easily and the lab will increase the resolution for the appropriate print size during printing.
How do I crop 8x10’s and smaller prints?
You could use "ProPreferred"™-ROES for the simplest cropping. In Photoshop, set your crop tool for the appropriate size, indicate 300 in resolution box and crop.
Do I need different crops for different sizes?
With our "ProPreferred"™-ROES software just use your basic camera file and do all your cropping in "ProPreferred"™-ROES.
How do I crop with "ProPreferred"™-ROES Cropping?
Bring an image into the Image Layout Area by clicking on an image in the Thumbnail Area and dragging it over to the Image Layout Area. You can also double click on an Image in the Thumbnail Area and it will appear in the Image Layout Area ready for cropping. Place your cursor in the Image Layout area, the cursor changes to a Hand shape. You can now click, hold and drag the image to center. There is a Zoom button that will let you crop your image closer.
How do I get started with Pechman Imaging?
We ask that everyone start by sending us some test files. Prints will be provided at no charge. This will help you avoid colorspace and workflow conflicts with our system and is a useful tool to verify monitor calibration. Contact Customer Service and your Technical Rep will call and help you.
Do you require any software to work with Pechman?
We accept orders over the Internet using our "ProPreferred"™-ROES software. ROES is provided free.
If I have an odd sized print do I need to put it onto a standard size canvas
Yes. We have standard sizes setup in our printers, which are limited by the equipment and the available sized paper rolls. We offer many sizes beyond the standard portrait sizes, so you can find a size very close to what you need.
Here’s a hint: anchor the odd size to one corner and set the color of the excess space to something that contrasts with the image, such as green or red, or even just a shade of gray. Leaving the excess borders black or white can be confusing on where exactly to trim the print.
Should I embed a color profile?
Yes, when saving your files, check the embed profile box.
What does the lab mean by RAW data file?
Digital cameras can produce a proprietary file that is very rich in information. For the highest quality portraiture they are recommended. These proprietary file formats (nef, crw, dcr) need to be converted (similar to developing your film negatives) to a printing format (jpg). This conversion (developing) process allows you to make adjustments to your file that result in a very high quality jpg file to use for making your prints. Pechman has printing categories (ProPreferred PLUS) for taking this basic, first generation, unaltered jpg file made from the initial conversion and then continuing the printing process. We can make all final color, contrast and retouching adjustments.
What is the optimum exposure for a digital file?
Using the Info Window and Eyedropper tool in Photoshop or the similar tools in your cameras raw file processing software read the diffused highlight on a light skinned person. The red (R) value should read 215 to 225 when working in the sRGB color space. If you work in Adobe RGB this number is 200 to 210. For those with darker skin this number will be lower. Black skin can have a reading as low 160. Practice will teach you the best values for different situations.
What is the optimum white balance (WB) for a digital file?
WB or the overall color of a file is determined by which WB setting you choose in your digital camera or in your cameras file processing software. The optimum wb is one that produces neutral grays and whites. Picking Daylight while photographing in mid day daylight would be the logical starting place. Some combinations of cameras, lens and personal taste might dictate that you use a different setting or possibly a small offset to adjust the color of your images. If your images look like they are to blue, you might try changing your camera/software WB setting to Cloudy. This will make your faces warmer with less blue. The most accurate system is to use a custom WB or click WB setting using a known quality gray or white card. Call your tech rep for more details.
Where do I find a good white balance gray card?
Some of the old industry standard gray cards were only designed to calculate exposure and they actually have a slight color cast that will not work properly for digital white balance WB.
http://michaeltapesdesign.com/whibal.html Shows quality of several different white, gray cards. Has a link to their order page. Digital gray plus white, black and a special focus patch.