How to double the size of an image for improved resolution when printing

[johnhenry88D]

I created an image in PaintShop Pro 2022 to use as a whimsical business logo to affix to my old pickup truck. PSP saved it as a .98MB JPG file, with dimensions of 1366 X 768, horizontal and vertical resolution of 72dpi, bit depth of 24, and a resolution unit of 2. I loaded the image on my flash drive and took it to my local sign making shop to have a sticky-back sign made. When viewing the image on my laptop it measures 6" X 11", and I desired it be printed at twice that size. The printer, a Gerber Edge 4 color (CMYK) machine, produced an image that degraded the crisp edges of letters and some of the image features - I would describe it as a sawtooth effect. My signmaker asked if I could somehow double the size of my image, making it possible to print it with a much improved resolution. I have no idea how to do that. I can use the zoom controls to increase the size of the viewed image, but PSP does not seem to save it as a larger file size. When viewing the image in PSP, next the file name is " @ 67% (background)", which I assume is some reference to the original image I chose as a background when I started creating the project. Any insight or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[JoeB]

First, please note that PSP (or any other graphic editor) does not set DPI (Dots Per Inch) of an image, only PPI (Pixels Per Inch).

That said, if you want the image to print well at a width of 22 inches and height of 11 inches then you should start by creating a new image (File>New), using the settings of Inches, setting 22 for width and 11 for height and a resolution of 200 Pixels Per Inch minimum. This will result in a new canvas that is 4400 x 2400 pixels on which you can create your logo.

For a more in-depth discussion of PPI/DPI and printing images that look good when printed, you could read this thread:

https://forum.corel.com/viewtopic.php?p ... pi#p332992

[johnhenry88D]

JoeB,

Thanks for the explanation. Creating an image sized to function well at a given physical size makes a lot more sense than trying to "stretch" an existing one; a consideration that had not occurred to me. I appreciate your help.

[JoeB]

No problem and glad it helped. There are lots of people on this forum who are willing to provide assistance to all who ask - that's what it's here for!