Image Requirements

Save your files in JPEG format (We no longer accept RAW)

• Use Baseline (standard) and Quality of 11 or 12 when converting files from RAW or TIFF mode in Photoshop/post production.
• For Mac iPhoto -  export the images into a new folder on your desktop or hardrive. Resolution you want to burn at: enter FORMAT/JPEG. Image size: enter FULL SIZE @ 2304 x 1536

You can send in JPEG files that come out of your camera

• They will have a DPI of 72 and probably pixel dimensions of 2400x3600
• If you adjust/compress your files, make sure to save them with a DPI of 150-300.

We recommend your images be in the sRGB color space. We also support Adobe 98 color profile.

Pictage posts any aspect ratio so you may crop your images prior to sending

• Be aware cropping may reduce the size of the files which could ultimately affect the quality of prints.
• If you must crop your images, we recommend keeping them in a 2x3 aspect ratio.

Pictage can accept up to 9,999 images in one event submission.

• If you exceed this amount, you will need to create a second event and submit the remaining images

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Recommended File Size

We recommend that the file size you capture and provide has a print resolution of at least 150 pixels per inch.

•  The maximum print size and its quality will be determined by the file you submit.
• The table below illustrates the minimum file dimensions that we recommend for various files sizes. Please note that this table ASSUMES NO ZOOMING while cropping. Providing larger files than listed below will increase the level of zooming that can be done without image degradation and may increase the clarity of larger print sizes. Make sure your files are at least 300KB.
  
  

  Print Size	Minimum Recommended File Dimensions
  8 x 10	1,400 x 1,800 pixels
  11 x 14	1,650 x 2,475 pixels
  16 x 20	2,400 x 3,600 pixels

NOTE: Submitting files smaller than 300KB may result in orders being placed on hold or cancelled (most applicable on large format, collage album and canvas prints).

Sample Digital Workflow Submissions

Below are examples of digital workflows that have been tested and used successfully by Pictage clients. 

• Shoot JPEG with No Adjustment
• Shoot JPEG with In-Camera Adjustment
• Shoot RAW and Rough Balance on Export
• Shoot RAW or JPEG and Fine Balance

Note: When submitting digital files, it is important that your monitor is properly calibrated to Pictage settings.

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Color Correction Policies

• It is recommended that your files are properly exposed in your camera for JPEG shooters or balanced on export for RAW shooters.
• If you select Free Color Correction at time of upload, Proof Magazines, Image CDs, Proof CDs, Low Resolution FTP images and Direct Proof Prints will be printed from your online color corrected images.
• Premium/Professional/Custom Final Prints will be fully color corrected including, individually balancing highlights, mid-tones and shadows.

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Image Preparation – Naming/Numbering Images & Folders

Pictage image numbering

During digital uploading, images are numbered starting with the file with the lowest number, which becomes Pictage image 1 for the event.

• For example: If the file lowest numbers are IMG_234, IMG_235, IMG_236, those images will be numbered as 1, 2, 3
• Note: any gaps in numbering will be condensed online so that the numbers are consecutive

Want your image number to match your Pictage event?

If you want your image numbering to match the image numbering once uploaded to Pictage, use a file re-naming program to set your first file name as 0001.

• You need to use a "0" as a placeholder in front of single and double digit numbers to ensure proper ordering.
• For example: if you had 1000 images, images numbers 0001, 0010, 0100, 1000 will go up as 1,10,100,1000.  But if placeholders aren't used, 1,10,100,1000 will go up as 1,2,3,4.

Categorize and sequence your event

To Categorized and Sequenced your event before uploading, please follow these steps:

1. Place images into separate folders and label them as #_category name (i.e., 01_Preparation, 02_Ceremony, 03_Reception).
2. Next, place all category sub-folders into a single folder labeled as the Event ID number (i.e., 123456).
3. Lastly, renumber the images starting with the first folder in sequential orders (i.e., 01_Preparation having 20 images would start with 0001 and end with image 0020, 02_Ceremony having 50 images would start with image 0021 and end with image 0071).
4. Note: For wedding, bar/bat mitzvah events, Images can be placed in standard categories by Pictage by selecting “Categorize my event” under image handling during event submission. You can also create and adjust categories during editing of your event after it has been uploaded.

Rotation

Images will be automatically rotated using he EXIF data from your camera. You can also rotate them after the event has been posted.

Event Folder

Your images/category folders must be placed in a single folder.

• This folder must be named with ONLY the Event ID number

  Correct folder name:	Incorrect folder names:
  123456	- Event 123456 - Event #123456 - #123456 - Pollock/Jones Wedding - 12345 Pollock Wedding

Your image folder must be placed within the Incoming FTP folder. You will be asked to verify image/category folder count placed in Incoming FTP folder upon event submission.

Sample:

Sample Digital Workflow Submissions

Shoot JPEG with No Adjustment

If you follow this process, then you have your cameras set to shoot JPEG's, and rely on the auto-exposure capabilities of your camera to balance the shot. You then send those JPEG's to Pictage without any adjustments.
Considerations:

• Due to the fact that cameras are typically set to expose at 18% gray level in the image, depending on the metering selection (e.g., matrix vs. spot), scenes with a heavy white component (e.g., most wedding images) may tend to be underexposed.
• This method may preserve highlight detail better than adjusting the exposure in-camera (see below), but we have no conclusive evidence to support this statement.

Implications:

• We have had great results in printing Final Prints from photographers who use this method. However, if there is a high level of underexposure (more than 1 stop), our ability to produce good Final Prints will be compromised.
• We recommend that you do not adjust files before submitting to Pictage as it will strip information from the file, making it harder for us to balance.
• You can use the calibration prints to help you determine how well your camera is performing and tweak its settings to achieve optimum image quality.

Shoot JPEG with In-Camera Adjustment

If you use this method, each of your files is balanced individually through one of the following methods: balancing in the camera software, importing into Photoshop or using other color balancing software.
Considerations:

• We do not recommend this process as we perceive it to be "too much work" for proofing, and it limits, if not removes, our ability to modify your files to improve Final Print quality.
• While this methodology might yield more predictable results, the process strips information from the file, and if your monitor is not in very good calibration it can make it difficult for us to attain good quality in the print.

Implications:

• Dead-on monitor calibration is critical.
• Make sure that you are retaining highlight and shadow details.
• Use the calibration prints to help asses the quality of the corrections you have made.

Shoot RAW and Rough Balance on Export

If you are using this process, you shoot using your camera's RAW setting, review the images in your camera software, adjust the exposure and color and then export your images as JPEG files to Pictage.
Considerations:

• This method gives you the maximum control over the balance of the files you send Pictage.
• Your Proof Magazines and Proof Prints should be in proper balance.
• Your Final Prints should only need minor adjustments, which should yield very good quality.

Implications:

• It is absolutely critical that your monitor is calibrated to Pictage's output to have consistent results and quality Final Prints!
• If your monitor is out of calibration, you will be adjusting your images away from our printing standard, which requires us to make adjustments to your files, thus reducing quality.
• If hardware calibrating, please make sure that the density of the images onscreen match that of your Proof Mags. In the past, many photographers have monitors that are calibrated correctly for color but the density is off. Hardware calibrations DOES NOT protect you from this.
• We recommend that all RAW shooters export images that are balanced to the correct exposure. The closer you come to delivering us a file that is exposed exactly the way you want it, the higher quality Final Print we will be able to make.

Shoot RAW or JPEG and Fine Balance

If you use this method, each of your files is balanced individually through one of the following methods: balancing in the camera software, importing into Photoshop or using other color balancing software.
Considerations:

• We do not recommend this process as we perceive it to be "too much work" for proofing, and it limits, if not removes, our ability to modify your files to improve Final Print quality.
• While this methodology might yield more predictable results, the process strips information from the file. Additionally, if your monitor is not in very good calibration, it can make it difficult for us to attain good quality in the print.

Implications:

• Dead-on monitor calibration is critical.
• Make sure that you are retaining highlight and shadow details.
• Use the calibration prints to help assess the quality of the corrections you have made.

RAW File Balancing

We no longer accept RAW files. Please view member discounts for partner deals and discounts for these services.

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