Fast Foto File Requirements

How should I prepare my files for output?

Here are the guidelines:

• 200 to 300 ppi resolution
• Make sure the file is in RGB color mode - even if it's a black and white or duotone image!
• 8 bits/channel mode
• Size image to 100% of output size or cropping will occur
• Save your file as a level 10 JPEG
• Do NOT send progressive JPEGS
• Name your file in fewer than 25 characters. Use only letters, numbers, spaces or dashes. Other characters cannot be read.

Fast Foto can print the following sizes (in inches), on Kodak Royal Gold, silver halide paper, Matte or Glossy

• 2X3.5 Wallets
• 3.5X5 (there is no 3X5 size!)
• 4X6
• 4X7 (APS)
• 4X12 (Panoramic)
• 5X7
• 8X10
• 8x12

These sizes on Epson Paper, Premium Luster, Enhanced Matte, Textured Fine Art & Canvas

• 11X14
• 12x18
• 16x20
• 16x24

For custom sizes please place your image on a canvas size that is sized to one of the sizes above.

Available print options include: bordered prints, color, black & white and sepia.

Can you make prints from my digital camera?

Yes. Here are some general guidelines for how large your files should be to print at various sizes.

2 Megapixel 1600x1200 pixels, up to 5x7 print size
3 Megapixels 2048x1536 pixels, up to 8x10 print size
6 Megapixels 3072x2048 pixels, up to 11x14 print size

We recommend sending your files through the "send files" link on our home page. Files should be JPEG saved with high to maximum quality setting.

What are the different types of files and what are they used for?

TIFF - Tagged Image File Format - most flexible and reliable method for storing bitmapped or raster images in various resolutions, gray levels and color. It cannot store object oriented images.

EPS - Encapsulated Postscript - a popular format for storing vector and object oriented artwork. EPS can also store bitmapped or raster images. An EPS file usually contains two versions of the file: the main image is a resolution independent postscript description of the file which will be used for printing on a postscript device, the second image is a low resolution preview of the main file used for displaying on screen.

JPEG - Joint Photographic Expert Group - is a graphic image created by choosing from a range of compression qualities (actually, from one of a suite of compression algorithms). When you create a JPEG or convert an image from another format to a JPEG you are asked to specify the quality of image you want. Since the highest quality results in the largest file, you can make a trade-off between image quality and file size. The JPEG scheme includes 29 distinct coding processes although a JPEG implementer may not use them all. Along with the Graphic Interchange Format (GIF) file, the JPEG is a file type supported by the World Wide Web protocol.

PICT - a file format for Macintosh based vector and raster ( bitmapped )image files. Primarily used for clipboard images and screen captures. There are two forms of PICT files: PICT1 and PICT2. The first one is a simple format capable of storing only 8 colors, the second one has two modes: 8-bit ( 256 colors ) and 24-bit ( 16.7 million colors ).

TARGA - TrueVision Advanced Raster Graphics Adapter - a file format developed for use in image capture video boards ( supported NTSC ). Used on MSDOS based computers, also used by 35 mm film recorders software.

TIFF is the most reliable file format for pixel based ( raster or bitmapped ) images. RGB TIFF should be used for any photographic output; CMYK TIFF is used for printing on any CMYK output device. For vector (pixel independent ) graphics, the best format to use is EPS. All of the major drawing programs allow you to save a file as EPS.

What image editing software is available for novices?

There are a number of options available. Here are some recommendations:

Adobe Photoshop Elements• Adobe Photoshop LE• Adobe PhotoDeluxe• Corel PhotoPaint• Microsoft PictureIt

All of these above software packages are meant for the consumer market and are usually bundled with scanners or printers. They are somewhat limited to what they can do, but the basic functions, such as spotting, cropping and color adjustments are included. Some of them contain fun and creative tools to make your images look really cool.
You returned my file via e-mail and I can't open it.

E-mail was designed to transfer text messages only. With it's popularity it opened a window for an easy opportunity to transfer files in the form of an attachment, but that also presented a problem of compatibility between different computer platforms. A file created on a Mac is not going to behave the same on a PC, and vice versa. That might have been one reason why you couldn't open the file.

Another issue here is attachment encoding. Most likely what happened was that the file you received was encoded for internet transfer, but your e-mail software cannot decode it back to its original form. The safest bet is to have your e-mail software encode it for you. With most software packages you can choose how your attachment is encoded for internet transfer. For Mac users it is best to use BinHex encoding, for Windows users it is Base64 encoding. You can also use some utility software to help you encode or decode a file. For Mac it is Aladdin's StuffIt, for Windows it is WinZip.

How should I scan my images to get them on the internet?

The monitor resolution is the setting, which needs to be used as a reference point for scanning images for the internet usage. 72 dpi is the resolution of a monitor. You can scan them at a higher resolution and then reduce it to achieve better quality and some flexibility with image sizing. The typical resolution settings for a 14 in monitor are 640x480 pixels, 17 in monitor 800x600 pixels, both at 72 dpi.