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Post by oransen on Jan 26, 2023 13:54:06 GMT
I wrote a technical book with Word, saved it as a PDF and the image quality is pretty high.
Now I've done a fiction book with B/W photos of drawings and the quality seems pretty low.
The difference is that the illustrations in the technical book were created in a vector format, WMF Windows Meta File, and it seems like the PDF kept the vector formatting.
Though the new book, as I say, uses photos of drawings it is possible for me to recreate the drawings in vector format.
Before I do the experiment myself (it is pretty costly in time and money) I was wondering if anyone had any knowledge or experience of vector images in PDF files and LuLu.
I'd selected premium black and white, but I get low quality half tone it seems to me.
The technical book i ![]() s called "Candelas, Lumens and Lux" if anyone want to look at it.
See attached PNG (I think it is attached...)
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Post by Mag2024 on Jan 26, 2023 18:30:08 GMT
I wrote a technical book with Word, saved it as a PDF and the image quality is pretty high.
Now I've done a fiction book with B/W photos of drawings and the quality seems pretty low.
The difference is that the illustrations in the technical book were created in a vector format, WMF Windows Meta File, and it seems like the PDF kept the vector formatting.
Though the new book, as I say, uses photos of drawings it is possible for me to recreate the drawings in vector format.
Before I do the experiment myself (it is pretty costly in time and money) I was wondering if anyone had any knowledge or experience of vector images in PDF files and LuLu.
I'd selected premium black and white, but I get low quality half tone it seems to me.
The technical book i ![]() s called "Candelas, Lumens and Lux" if anyone want to look at it.
See attached PNG (I think it is attached...)
Check the settings in Word to make sure it doesn't reduce the quality of the images, and, do not Save As PDF. Print using setting PDFX1a. In this way Lulu won't do any converting for you. What you see in the PDF should be exactly what you'll get. Zoom in to examine the quality before uploading. |
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Post by And Kevin 2024 on Jan 27, 2023 1:30:29 GMT
I would suggest you use jpgs, and greyscale. Lulu's Wizard tool seems to create a Print Ready PDF even if you load up a PDF. I have no idea what it does to the file, but it's usually ok. Maybe there was a glitch in printing? This www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1291600477/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_taft_p1_i11 used jpg greyscale, although not using Word for the covers. A shame the Preview does not show you the A4 full page greyscale photos, pages created in Word. |
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Post by oransen on Jan 31, 2023 7:53:26 GMT
I wrote a technical book with Word, saved it as a PDF and the image quality is pretty high.
Now I've done a fiction book with B/W photos of drawings and the quality seems pretty low.
The difference is that the illustrations in the technical book were created in a vector format, WMF Windows Meta File, and it seems like the PDF kept the vector formatting.
Though the new book, as I say, uses photos of drawings it is possible for me to recreate the drawings in vector format.
Before I do the experiment myself (it is pretty costly in time and money) I was wondering if anyone had any knowledge or experience of vector images in PDF files and LuLu.
I'd selected premium black and white, but I get low quality half tone it seems to me.
The technical book i ![]() s called "Candelas, Lumens and Lux" if anyone want to look at it.
See attached PNG (I think it is attached...)
Check the settings in Word to make sure it doesn't reduce the quality of the images, and, do not Save As PDF. Print using setting PDFX1a. In this way Lulu won't do any converting for you. What you see in the PDF should be exactly what you'll get. Zoom in to examine the quality before uploading. Thanks for the tips, I'll try that... |
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Post by oransen on Jan 31, 2023 7:54:14 GMT
I would suggest you use jpgs, and greyscale. Lulu's Wizard tool seems to create a Print Ready PDF even if you load up a PDF. I have no idea what it does to the file, but it's usually ok. Maybe there was a glitch in printing? This www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1291600477/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_taft_p1_i11 used jpg greyscale, although not using Word for the covers. A shame the Preview does not show you the A4 full page greyscale photos, pages created in Word. I think probably PNG greyscale is better than JPG grey scale, but I'll have a look... |
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Post by And Kevin 2024 on Jan 31, 2023 19:18:18 GMT
PNG seems to be used for images that have a lot of transparent aspects. As to jpg, this may explain better fileinfo.com/extension/jpgAs you say, experimentation is needed. How they are converted when placed in to a PDF and/or Word I have no idea. I only use JPGs with no problems. I doubt they stay as PNG, jpg, TIFF, GEM or whatever. A cheaper alternative than to keep paying Lulu for Proofs is to print test pages on your own printing machine. (I do use Word's Save As PDF. Not Print to file) |
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Post by farleagueranger on Feb 1, 2023 17:02:12 GMT
Whenever at all possible, I use PNG grayscale for interior graphics. There is no reason (other than file size) not to start with a format that provides better detail than JPG. Whatever they might end up as!
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Post by And Kevin 2024 on Feb 2, 2023 20:52:33 GMT
Better detail than jpg? When creating a jpg image I can select whatever resolution I want.
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Post by farleagueranger on Feb 2, 2023 22:57:00 GMT
There's always a blurring or softening of edges/boundaries in JPEGs, at whatever resolution (though obviously better at higher rez). That's why they're not recommended for images with sharp edges. A tif or png at the same resolution should give better results (at, of course, larger file size).
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Post by And Kevin 2024 on Feb 3, 2023 0:50:25 GMT
Strange, I have never had blurring problems with jpgs, Perhaps it depends on the compression ratio used?
Interestingly I have just read the heading of this again. Wondering why the drawings were not scanned? But photos or scanned, the res can be set.
But we don't have any control over the settings when the books are printed. The Proof may eventually be to satisfaction, but the orders are printed as close to the buyer's address as possible, and we never get to see those. Some book options are only printed in the USA, too.
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