Can I turn a low-quality JPEG into a good large print by re-saving it at higher quality?
Asked 6/30/2015
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I edited a RAW photo in Adobe Camera Raw/Photoshop Elements, then saved it as a JPEG using a relatively low quality setting because I only planned to post it online. Now I want to make a large canvas print, but the print service says the image is too small.
If I reopen that JPEG and save it again at the highest JPEG quality, will that make it suitable for a larger print, or will it still be limited? Is it better to go back to the original RAW file, redo the edits, and export a new high-quality JPEG for printing?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
11y ago
2 Answers
2
I'm not familiar with Photoshop Elements, but the "small" and "large" quality options are probably referring to file size, whereas the "can't print at that picture size because your image is too small" message is probably referring to pixel dimensions. To print a large canvas print, you need plenty of pixels, and the JPEG quality setting is not related. In your original editing, did you resize the image downwards? If so, you could resize your edited image upwards again, but you're almost guaranteed to end up with an unsatisfactory image. Better option is to go back to the RAW file and try to replicate your original processing.
Re-saving a JPEG file means applying JPEG compression twice. While it's not disastrous by any means, you should avoid it if you can, even when it results in a larger file size. However, as stated earlier, you're barking up the wrong tree with this approach I think.
Originally by user38159. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user38159
11y ago
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Re-saving the JPEG at a higher quality will not restore lost detail or increase the image’s pixel dimensions. The printer’s “image too small” warning is usually about pixel dimensions, not the JPEG quality slider or file size.
If your original export was resized smaller for web use, saving it again at quality 12 won’t fix that. You may avoid much additional damage, but you won’t gain quality back. In general, re-saving JPEGs means another round of JPEG compression, so it’s best avoided when possible.
For the best canvas print, go back to the original RAW file, apply your edits again, and export a new JPEG at full resolution and high quality. That gives you the most pixels and the least compression.
Also keep canvas wraps in mind: some of the image can be lost around the edges when stretched over the frame, so leave extra room when cropping.
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