How to Upscale Midjourney Images for Print / Print on Demand (Ai Art)

Wade McMaster - Creator Impact
30 Mar 202314:47

TLDRThe video provides a comprehensive guide on how to upscale images created with Midjourney's AI art platform for high-quality print. It explains that initial upscales result in either 1024x1024 or 2048x2048 pixels, which may not be suitable for print without appearing pixelated. To achieve better results, the video suggests using various upscaling methods, including Photoshop's 'Preserve Details 2.0', 'Camera Raw' filter, and AI upscaling tools like 'Imagelarger.com' and 'Topaz Gigapixel'. It also discusses the importance of DPI (Dots per Inch) for print quality and how to calculate the required image size for a specific print dimension. The video further covers the concept of bleed and margin for professional printing and offers step-by-step instructions on how to prepare the image for print using platforms like Canva and Photoshop, ensuring that the final print is clean and free of white edges.

Takeaways

  • 🖼️ Images created with MidJourney are typically 1024x1024 pixels; using test models can yield 2048x2048 pixels.
  • 📏 For printing purposes, an image resolution of 300 DPI (dots per inch) is recommended to avoid pixelation and ensure clarity.
  • 🖨️ Printers often use bleeds and margins to ensure images extend to the edge of the cut without leaving white edges.
  • 🔍 To upscale low-resolution images from AI platforms like MidJourney for print, external tools like Photoshop or AI-specific upscalers can be used.
  • 📊 Using Photoshop’s ‘Preserve Details 2.0’ during resizing can enhance the quality of an image by smoothing out lines.
  • 💻 Online AI upscalers like imagelarger.com and Topaz Gigapixel can significantly enhance image detail and resolution for better print quality.
  • 🆓 Free alternatives for upscaling exist, such as upscale.media, which can upscale images up to four times without cost.
  • 🛠️ When preparing images for print, it’s essential to consider the print size, bleed, and margin to ensure the final product is cut correctly.
  • 👨‍💻 Platforms like Canva and Photoshop offer tools to precisely size and position images within a document, ensuring proper print layout with margins and bleed.
  • 🌈 When finalizing print files, options such as converting images to CMYK and adding crop marks are crucial for professional printing results.

Q & A

  • What is the initial resolution of a square image created in Midjourney version 5?

    -The initial resolution of a square image created in Midjourney version 5 is 1024 by 1024 pixels.

  • What is the resolution of an image created using the test algorithm in Midjourney?

    -The resolution of an image created using the test algorithm in Midjourney is 2048 by 2048 pixels.

  • Why might an image created in Midjourney not look good when printed?

    -An image created in Midjourney might not look good when printed because the resolution is not high enough, which can result in a fuzzy or pixelated appearance.

  • What is the recommended DPI for printing images?

    -The recommended DPI (Dots per inch) for printing images is 300 DPI.

  • What is the minimum size an image with 1024 by 1024 pixels can be printed at 300 DPI?

    -An image with 1024 by 1024 pixels can be printed at a size of a little over three inches by three inches at 300 DPI.

  • What is 'bleed' in the context of printing?

    -Bleed is a little bit of extra image around the cut area that allows the printer something to cut into, resulting in a clean edge with the ink going straight to the edge.

  • How can one upscale a low-resolution image from Midjourney for print?

    -One can upscale a low-resolution image from Midjourney using various methods such as Photoshop's image resize, AI upscalers like ImageLarger.com or Topaz Gigapixel, or free solutions like Upscale.Media.

  • What is the advantage of using Topaz Gigapixel over other upscaling methods mentioned?

    -Topaz Gigapixel uses AI to create hair and details, improving the image quality significantly. It provides a higher quality upscale, though it requires a one-time purchase fee.

  • How can one ensure that important elements of the image are not cut off during printing?

    -To ensure important elements are not cut off, one should add sufficient bleed and margin to the document size and place the image accordingly, keeping in mind the printer's requirements.

  • What is the recommended file format for sending the final print-ready document to a printer?

    -The recommended file format for sending the final print-ready document to a printer is PDF, with crop marks and bleed included.

  • How can one set up a print document with the correct size and bleed using Photoshop?

    -In Photoshop, one can create a new document with the desired print size, add an additional percentage for bleed, and then place the image within the document, ensuring it fits within the bleed area.

Outlines

00:00

🖼️ Upscaling Mid Journey Images for Printing

The paragraph discusses the process of upscaling images created with the Mid Journey algorithm. It explains that standard models from version one to five, excluding MJ test and MJ test photo, initially upscale to 1024x1024 pixels for square images. The test models, however, upscale to 2048x2048 pixels. The resolution remains relatively consistent even when the aspect ratio is altered. The paragraph highlights that these resolutions may not be high enough for quality printing, which ideally requires 300 DPI. It also touches on the use of various upscaling methods, including light upscale, redo, beta upscale redo, and upscale to Max, noting that these can sometimes result in a loss of detail. The importance of DPI in relation to print size is emphasized, and the concept of bleed and margin in printing is introduced, with suggestions on how to prepare images for professional printing services.

05:02

🎨 Enhancing Image Quality for Print

This paragraph delves into methods for enhancing the quality of low-resolution images from AI art platforms like Mid Journey for printing purposes. It suggests using Adobe Photoshop to increase image size with the 'Preserve Details 2.0' option or the Camera Raw filter for upscaling. The paragraph also mentions alternative techniques like smoothing out the image using the 'Oil Paint' filter in Photoshop for a less pixelated look. However, it emphasizes the need for AI upscalers for better results. It introduces 'imagelarger.com' as a paid online upscaling service and 'Topaz Gigapixel' as a high-quality, albeit costly, software option. For those seeking a free solution, 'upscale.media' is recommended. The paragraph also covers the process of preparing the upscaled image for print, including setting the correct document size, adding bleed and margin, and using platforms like Canva or Photoshop for final adjustments before printing.

10:03

📐 Preparing Images for Print with Adobe Photoshop

The final paragraph focuses on the advanced method of preparing images for print using Adobe Photoshop. It guides users to create a new document with the desired print size and adds a five percent bleed around the image. The paragraph explains how to adjust the document size to accommodate bleed and margin, place the image correctly, and ensure that all elements are within the safe zone to avoid being cut off. It also discusses the possibility of adding text and the importance of staying within the margin area. The paragraph concludes with instructions on saving the document as a PDF with the correct quality settings and color mode, and emphasizes the need for correct aspect ratios to ensure the image fits the document size properly. It also provides a brief guide on how to add crop marks, which are essential for professional printing.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Upscale

Upscaling refers to the process of increasing the resolution of an image while maintaining or enhancing its quality. In the context of the video, upscaling is crucial for preparing AI-generated images for high-quality print. The video discusses various methods and tools for upscaling, such as using Photoshop, Imagelarger.com, and Topaz Gigapixel.

💡Midjourney

Midjourney is a term used to denote a specific version or iteration of an AI art algorithm. The video mentions Midjourney version 5 and discusses how the upscaling process varies across different versions, including the test models. It is an important aspect as it determines the initial resolution of the AI-generated images.

💡DPI (Dots per inch)

DPI stands for Dots per inch and is a measure of spatial printing or video dot density. In the video, it is used to explain the required resolution for printing images. A higher DPI indicates a higher resolution, which is necessary for larger prints to avoid pixelation.

💡Bleed

Bleed is a printing term referring to the area of an image that extends beyond the trim or finished size of a printed product. The video explains the importance of bleed in ensuring a clean edge on printed materials by providing extra space for the printer to cut into without leaving white edges.

💡Margin

Margin, in the context of printing, is the space between the edge of the paper and the content that should not be cut off during trimming. The video emphasizes the need to account for margins when preparing images for print to prevent important parts of the design from being lost.

💡Print on Demand (POD)

Print on Demand is a service where printed materials are produced as ordered by individual customers, rather than in large quantities in advance. The video touches on using POD platforms like Redbubble to upload and position images for custom prints, highlighting the convenience and flexibility of this service.

💡AI Art Platform

An AI Art Platform refers to a digital service or software that uses artificial intelligence to generate artwork. In the video, the focus is on using such platforms, particularly Midjourney, to create images that are then upscaled and prepared for print.

💡Topaz Gigapixel

Topaz Gigapixel is a software tool designed for image upscaling, which uses AI to enhance image details. The video presents it as a high-quality option for upscaling images from AI art platforms, noting its ability to add details and improve the overall print quality.

💡Imagelarger.com

Imagelarger.com is an online image upscaling service mentioned in the video as an alternative tool for increasing the size and resolution of images. It is presented as a viable option for those who do not wish to invest in more expensive software like Topaz Gigapixel.

💡Canva

Canva is an online design tool used for creating visual content, including designs for print. The video demonstrates how to use Canva to set up a document with the correct dimensions, margins, and bleed for printing, showcasing its user-friendly interface for design novices.

💡RGB vs CMYK

RGB and CMYK are color models used in digital and print media, respectively. RGB stands for Red, Green, Blue and is used for on-screen displays, while CMYK stands for Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Key (black) and is used in printing. The video discusses the choice between these color models when preparing images for print.

Highlights

Upscaling a square image from Midjourney version 5 results in a 10,240 by 10,240 pixel image.

The first upscale of an image in Midjourney is typically 1024 by 1024 pixels for square images.

MJ Test and MJ Test Photo algorithms produce a 2048 by 2048 pixel image on first upscale.

Upscaling can result in a loss of detail, even with light or beta upscalers.

For printing, a good rule of thumb is 300 DPI at the printed size.

An image of 10,240 by 10,240 pixels can only be printed at about three inches by three inches.

Letter-sized sheets are typically 2550 pixels by 3300 pixels at 300 DPI.

Bleed and margin are necessary for professional printing to avoid white edges.

A simple solution is to make the image larger than needed and allow space from the edge.

Photoshop's Image Size feature can upscale images with the 'Preserve Details 2.0' option.

The Camera Raw filter and Oil Paint filter in Photoshop can also be used for upscaling.

AI upscalers like Imagelarger.com and Topaz Gigapixel can significantly improve image quality.

Topaz Gigapixel is a paid software that uses AI to add detail and improve upscaling results.

Free upscaling options like Upscale.media can provide results comparable to Photoshop's upscaling.

Converting a PNG to JPEG may be necessary for some upscaling platforms that do not support PNGs.

Canva.com can be used to create a custom-sized document with bleed and margin for printing.

In Photoshop, creating a new document with the correct size and bleed percentage is crucial for printing.

It's important to ensure aspect ratios match the intended print size to avoid distortion.

Adding 'AR' in Midjourney allows for creation of images with specific aspect ratios.

Sending a PDF with crop marks and correct bleed to a printer ensures accurate and professional results.