My final image has to cover an area of 1m x 2m, so I created 18 dress circles and repeated the pattern. After making the decision to use a commercial printer I was faced with new challenges.
To make myself familiar with the commercial printing requirements I went on to the Internet and searched for commercial printers in my area. This gave me two advantages. I could see which local printer could offer a large format printing service, and also do a price comparison on line.
After phoning several printers and finding their idea of large format was A1, I decided that the more direct approach was needed, so I visited my nearest commercial printer in person. Unfortunately they weren’t able to print in large format, but they suggested a new company that could and even gave me the phone number.
There were a number of questions I needed to ask the printer, first being what weight paper they used at the size I required. One of the printers I spoke to only used 100 gm paper and other another only printed on vinyl.
The next questions were; how long would take and how much would it cost? The printer I chose in the end was local, cost £65 for two 1m x 2m prints in black and white on 120 gm paper and was able to print that day.
I had created my images in Photoshop but all the commercial printers’ websites suggested, I should submit the final image to the printer as a pdf file. I looked in the save options for Photoshop and was able to change the file type to pdf. This done I saved the final image to CDR disc and handed this in to the commercial printer.
The images I got back after 4 hours was just what I wanted. I bought more than I need to save money and time. This project so far has helped me to identify several new skills and although I would have preferred to make an original print for the 3D dress, I adapted my plans to suit the time frame and the facilities available.
