PA Shutterbug Loc: Near Greater Pittsburgh Airport (PIT)

2 pieces of software:

http://rasterbator.net/

https://posterazor.secursoft.net/?network=ContentSearch&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=US%3A%20Design%20Photography%20Software&utm_term=PosteRazor&utm_content=posterazor

https://sourceforge.net/projects/posterazor/?source=typ_redirect

Haven't used Rasterbator. I have used PosteRazor 2 Christmases ago. Made four 20 inch by 36 inch posters for grandchildren (using multiple sheets of 8 1/2X11 photo paper.) Took a while to get the process down but the results were pleasing for the kids and their parents. Down side was lining up the individual prints so the overlaps were correct and no white space was visible. If I remember correctly, you specify the photo paper size you are using & the software interpolates how many sheets needed. I also seem to remember alignment marks as an assist in getting the sheets properly positioned.

If you go this route I would URGE you to use cheap copy paper the same size as the photo paper you would be doing your ultimate print(s) on. Viewing up close the individual sheets of paper are noticeable. From a reasonable distance not very noticeable.

My greatest pleasures were seeing the kids' expressions after the wrapping paper was off and the satisfaction of having done it myself.

xptom Loc: Concord, CA

https://www.on1.com/apps/resize10/

On1 Resize will enlarge image 1000x

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

Use a sign printing company - you give them the file, they give you a print.

If you must insist on printing it yourself, then a RIP will do that for you, and you can always use Qimage to do the tiling for you.

This is not about resizing as much as it is printing the strips, though On1 Resize (formerly Genuine Fractals) may give you slightly cleaner results - Qimage does it's own resizing and print optimization, and it's pretty good.

nikonbrain Loc: Crystal River Florida

We use onone genuine fractals you can also save in an stn. A file format that that use lossless compression and can enlarge 800x in small encriments....it is a CSS plugin suite.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

What is your viewing distance?

Resolution requirements are based on the eye's ability to resolve fine detail, and as the viewing distance increases your need for megapixels decreases. Sony 4K high res movie theater projectors use an 8.8mp image (4096x2160), projected onto a screen that is typically 45-60 ft wide by 24-32 ft tall. Creating an image that has more resolution than necessary leads to all sorts of issues with file size and print size limitations. Unless you are showing these to a group of photographers who think nothing of bringing their loupes and examining the image up close and magnified, it's probably overkill to use a high resolution image.

Michael Hartley Loc: Deer Capital of Georgia

I print wall murals, Q Image does a pretty good job. I also have an older version of Genuine Fractals, now called On1, does very good job too. Or, sub it out to your local sign printer, I'm sure they'd appreciate the business.

big-guy Loc: Peterborough Ontario Canada

Thanks Carter and Johanne, over the weekend I did utilize PS CC for a 36" x 84" print of Taughannok Falls, NY that is now mounted on our back deck and takes the place of an old door we had removed several years ago. (see photo below) As this will be viewed up close and at a small distance, 10-15' printing at 300 dpi was imperative. The result is phenomenal! We had several friends over that just had to see this project and all needed to have their jaws put back in place before they left. Now that it is complete I have to say that the work flow for this size and strip printing is not that difficult. As long as I follow the adage, take your time and measure twice and print (cut) once, everything will be fine. My next project.... the garage door

Thanks to the others for links to software but none really fit the bill although still waiting for some answers from Q Image. Sign printers will not give me the quality or resolution, not to mention the substrate required and as I run a custom photo printing business I do not wish to farm it out.

As for the fishing in the area... I see lots of casters lining the shores so I guess it's pretty good. The last time I went fishing was when I was 7-8 years old off the ferry dock and ended up catching a 180 lb. diver that was collecting bottles off the bottom. He was not a happy camper.

bringing nature home

twowindsbear

Since you can print a door sizes print you should have no problem at all making the bigger image you have in mind.

What substrate did you use for the door & intend to use for the big print?

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

Big, I don't know much about this big printing stuff, but a few years ago I had a job to make some signs, half pic, half text to end up 96x32. My printer only does 17"(Canon ipf5000). And NO it does not come with software to print that. My guess is that software of that type is only used by commercial companies and is likely to be very expensive!
I laid the entire thing up using PS and sent it to a friend that is a graphic artist. She sent me back two files(two halves). For accuracy, where the two halves met in the middle, we did not print to the edge(we tried that and it wasn't all that good for us). Each half had an indexing mark on each end and I cut there using a straight edge then glued the two halves together onto a board using spray.
Anyway, not sure this helps, but that's how I solved my dilemma!! Good luck
SS

big-guy Loc: Peterborough Ontario Canada

Very similar to canvas but with a re-positioning peel and stick backing, called Art Peel manufactured by Breathing Color. https://www.breathingcolor.com/art-peel I have printed many smaller photos on this substrate and am fully confident in the product. When I first tried it I put a 12x18 print on the side of our trailer, exposed to the elements and no protection at all. After 2.5 years it still looks good.

Being able to print that size is not the issue but more in the splitting the pic into strips and printing full bleed with 0 pixel overlap. I can certainly do that in PS but that will entail manually cropping the pic into small strips, strip A, strip B etc. that can be put back together like wall paper when being mounted on the wall, garage door etc..

twowindsbear

Looks like an interesting product. Thanks for the link.

I think your need for full bleed & 0 pixel overlap is going to be tough to meet.

Will your 44" printer print all the way to the edge of 44" media?

Maybe consult a sign shop, see if they can help you 'slice' your image into the files & guide you on 'wall papering' the door? Are there any seams or other breaks in your door that would allow for 'slices' of your images?

Michael Hartley Loc: Deer Capital of Georgia

Flexi Pro