[bmmp]

This is a tough question (at least I think so).

Quark 4 has a maximum document size of 48 inches. I'm not sure if this limitation exists in other versions, but that's besides the point.

I need to make a 60x40 print and I really want to stay away from doing it in photoshop. A 60x40 document in photoshop would take forever to design (i'm sure you experts can understand).

Would it be ok if, I design the document at half the size, say 30x20, and when I place my photos, make sure they are lower than 50% scaled.

If I Export as EPS and rasterize it in Photoshop at 60x40, Will it be OK???

Does this make sense at all?

[andi*pandi]

what is your output device?

if you are sending to an inkjet postermaker, ok to make the quark file half the dimensions and print 200%. Images should still be at least 300 dpi for the size, but more is better. Inkjet printing is more forgiving than film/plates.

why would you want to raster it in photoshop?

[bmmp]

Im going to a duris lamda printer.
My output provider doesn't seem to know.
It's a lazer printer that exposes the paper at 200ppi. it then goes through standard photo color chemicals to develop the image.
then mounted to foam core.

Looks like to be safe, I have to go with the 700mb photoshop file.

I would rasterize it in photoshop to double check that it looks good and to submit it as a tif.

[EnVoy]

Yes, you will be fine. It's done all the time. You should never place images in quark at more/less than 10% (or so) from 100% (90% - 110%). So place them at 100%, and make sure the have 2x the required dpi for your output device.

Depending on the companie's rip software, you could even get away with the image being 100% at the required dpi (instead of 2x) and their software will handle the rest. Do it at 2x dpi and you will have more than enough information for the rip.

Also make sure you indicate somehow to the printers the file is built at 50% (or what ever % you do it at), else you might get a smaller print than you expected!

I believe it's called a Durst Lambda.

[bbxstudio]

Originally posted by bmmp:
Looks like to be safe, I have to go with the 700mb photoshop file.

Actually, you only need a Photoshop file at 200 pixels/inch at 40x60, which weighs in at 366.2 MB (without bleed). Anything over that in terms of resolution would be overkill - if your service provider's printer is limited to a resolution of 200 pixels/inch, that means it probably has a linescreen no greater than 100 lpi. With continuous-tone images, 300 dpi is only required for 133-150 lpi linescreens - magazine quality. Large format printers sacrifice resolution for size for the simple reason that nobody is walking up to a 40x60 poster and reading it like they would a magazine - they're generally standing at least a meter or two away, so anything over 200dpi/100 lpi is total overkill in most cases.

[EnVoy]

The Durst Lambda is a different beast. It does not sacrifice quality for size. It is photographic quality at it largest size it can print at.

Actually, you only need a Photoshop file at 200 pixels/inch at 40x60, which weighs in at 366.2 MB

This is correct, but he is building his Quark file at 50%. So, in the Quark file the image will be at 100% @400dpi. This is the same as the file being built at 100%, the image being at 100% @ 200dpi.
Both Quark build situations are reciprical, and require no resampling of the image.