Damien Symonds

Oh Kelly, I'm so sorry, I have no idea. Maybe you actually need three shortcuts in your startup folder (or whatever the Mac equivalent is)?

Yes, they should be able to tell you what pixel dimensions to upload.

No, really. Please follow my instructions.

Actual black? 0/0/0? Or a colour that's matching the sign presently?

Just in time, I'm about to shut down and go to bed. Thanks, I emailed you.

Yep, always Baseline Standard. The other two settings can be a bit flaky occasionally.

Not at all. Take it any time you like. Levels is the only one that needs an application/approval process.

Order the new photobook, do you mean?

Yes ma'am.

First, find out the resolution that the lab requires. Most are 300ppi, but some differ.

I beg you not to wait too long to take the print sharpening class. But for now, the most important step is to accurately crop/resize your files before sending them to print. You can't just send any old file and expect it to turn out ok.

I think you're holding in your hand the photobook that's living proof of how wrong it is.

What did you decide to do?

How did you go, Amy?

Did you resize them appropriately first? What about sharpening?

Yes, 12 is always too big for printing. 10 is the absolute maximum to use, and depending on the situation, much lower can be fine. Can you give me some more information about the photobook? Did you set it up using a template? Or did you design the pages from scratch? Or was there no page design at all - was it just a matter of providing image files for them to print on the pages?

Looks good at this size. Just be careful of repeated cloning patterns in the trees.

I'm not asking about cropping (although that is relevant too). I'm asking about the resizing. If you're not doing that either, then no wonder you're having troubles!

Alas, sometimes this is really hard to fix. Generally it's a size issue. What size are you making the image before sharpening and uploading?

Oh gee. Dad's hair might be ok - you might be able to copy it from the other side of his head, to create a plausible edge. But Mum doesn't have that luxury, does it? May I see a closeup of her head?

At first glance, I thought it would be sufficient to sample the dark pink hair colour, and add a Solid Color layer of that colour, set it to "Color" blend mode, and paint on to the roots. But when I tried that, it left the areas too light, and they still looked a bit obvious, you know? So instead, I tried "Soft Light" blend mode. Do you think she'll be happy with this? After applying it, I found I had to revisit the colour of the layer, to make it pinker.

Ya did great. I left the lines because I was l-a-z-y. But yes, maybe it would be a good idea to clone them out.

I'm so sorry, I don't understand. Can you explain a bit further?

I think you should pursue this. If it's only the bright orange bits, you could easily change that.

Hi mate, the most important aspect, I think, is to actually write it. On a piece of paper, then scan or photograph it. This is too obviously a font, you know? Then you would do this.