How to Use ON1 Resize for High-Quality Prints and EnlargementsON1 Resize (formerly known as Genuine Fractals) is a dedicated image-resizing tool designed to enlarge photos while preserving detail, sharpness, and minimizing artifacts. It’s widely used by photographers, fine-art printers, and studios to produce large prints from modestly sized originals. This guide walks through preparing images, using ON1 Resize’s key features, optimizing output for printing, and practical tips to get the best possible large-format results.
Why ON1 Resize for prints?
ON1 Resize uses advanced interpolation algorithms, including a fractal-based method, to expand images more naturally than standard bicubic or bilinear upscaling. It also integrates sharpening, denoising, and batch processing tools, plus print-specific features like tiling for very large prints and built-in resizing presets for common print sizes and paper types. The result: better-looking enlargements with preserved edge detail and fewer artifacts.
Preparing your image before resizing
Good enlargements begin with good originals. Before opening ON1 Resize:
- Shoot RAW when possible to retain maximum detail and dynamic range.
- Use the lowest ISO practical to reduce noise.
- Ensure accurate exposure and focus in-camera; sharpening can’t recreate lost detail.
- Remove major distractions and perform spot retouching in your primary editor (e.g., Adobe Lightroom, Photoshop, or ON1 Photo RAW) before resizing.
- If working from JPEGs, start with the highest-quality file available.
Tip: If you use ON1 Photo RAW, do as much of your basic editing there and send the final image directly to ON1 Resize to preserve your edits.
Opening and navigating ON1 Resize
- Launch ON1 Resize standalone or as a plugin from Photoshop/Lightroom/ON1 Photo RAW.
- Open your image (File > Open or via plugin workflow).
- The interface typically shows a preview area, navigator, filmstrip (if multiple images), size settings, and tools for sharpening, noise reduction, and output options.
Use the preview and zoom controls to inspect detail at 100% and at projected print sizes. The real-time preview helps you see how resizing and sharpening affect the image.
Choosing the output size and resolution
ON1 Resize offers several ways to specify output size:
- By document size (inches/cm) and resolution (ppi).
- By pixel dimensions (width × height).
- Using predefined print-size presets or a custom preset.
Best practices:
- For high-quality prints, set resolution to 300 ppi for small prints (up to ~16×24 inches). For very large prints viewed at a distance (posters, banners), 150–200 ppi often suffices.
- If you’re unsure, aim for 240–300 ppi for most fine-art prints; ON1 Resize’s algorithms help maintain perceived sharpness even at lower ppi.
- Confirm your print lab’s requirements — some prefer specific ppi or pixel dimensions.
Example: To print an 18×24 inch fine-art print, set output to 18×24 inches at 300 ppi → pixel dimensions = 5400 × 7200 px.
Resampling algorithms and options
ON1 Resize provides multiple algorithms. The key ones:
- Genuine Fractals (fractal interpolation): Preserves detail and texture while minimizing artifacts; excellent for enlargements.
- Bicubic and others: Standard options for minor resizing tasks.
Use the fractal-based algorithm for most enlargements, especially when increasing size significantly (2× or more).
Sharpening and noise reduction
Enlargement can reveal softness and noise. ON1 Resize gives you controls to address both:
- Adaptive Sharpening: Apply output sharpening based on the print size and medium. ON1 provides presets like “Matte Paper” or “Glossy Paper” that tailor sharpening amount.
- Remove Noise: Reduce luminance and color noise before or after resizing; ON1 Resize includes noise reduction that’s tuned for resized images.
Workflow suggestion:
- Apply light global sharpening before resizing if your original is slightly soft.
- After resizing, use ON1 Resize’s output sharpening controlled by viewing the image at 100% and at the target print size preview.
- Apply noise reduction conservatively to avoid loss of micro-detail; consider using selective noise reduction (masks) on smooth areas like skies.
Tiling and gallery wrap (for very large prints)
For very large prints or high-resolution fine-art pieces, ON1 Resize supports:
- Tiling: Splits the large image into multiple smaller tiles that can be printed separately and joined later. Useful for printers that have max print widths.
- Overlap and crop marks: Add overlap margins to help align tiles when assembling.
- Gallery wrap: Adds extra image area for wrapping around stretcher bars; you can mirror or extend edges.
When planning tiled prints, include registration marks and consistent overlap (typically 0.5–1 inch) to make assembly easier.
Color management and file formats
- Work in a wide-gamut color space (Adobe RGB or ProPhoto RGB) during editing if your workflow supports it. Convert to your printer or lab’s preferred profile before final export.
- Export formats: TIFF (uncompressed or LZW), PSD, and high-quality JPEG are common. For professional printing, TIFF with 16-bit depth is preferred to preserve tonal smoothness.
- Embed the correct ICC profile for the output device or paper, if known. If sending to a print lab, ask which profile and file format they accept.
Batch processing and presets
ON1 Resize lets you create and save presets for repeated workflows: common output sizes, sharpening settings, and file formats. Use batch processing for series of images destined for the same print size to save time and ensure consistency.
Example preset fields:
- Output dimensions and ppi
- Resampling algorithm (Genuine Fractals)
- Output sharpening preset (paper type + amount)
- File format and compression
Inspecting results and test prints
Always inspect the onscreen preview at 100% and at the final print size. However, the most reliable check is a small test print:
- Make a small 8×10 or a 100% crop test print on the target paper and viewing distance.
- Examine fine details, edge rendering, and sharpening; adjust sharpening/noise settings as needed.
- If printing through a lab, provide a proof or test file and ask for a color/quality check.
Troubleshooting common issues
- Soft results: Increase output sharpening selectively; verify source focus; consider upscaling in steps (e.g., 1.5× then 1.5×) though ON1’s algorithm usually handles large jumps well.
- Haloing or oversharpened edges: Reduce sharpening amount or use a smaller radius; switch to a different sharpening preset.
- Excessive noise: Apply stronger noise reduction before resizing, or use selective masking to preserve detail.
- Banding in gradients: Work in 16-bit and use dithering or subtle Gaussian blur before heavy adjustments; ensure output format supports higher bit depth (TIFF 16-bit).
Example workflow (concise)
- Edit exposure, color, and retouch in RAW editor (ON1 Photo RAW, Lightroom, or Photoshop).
- Export or send the final edited file to ON1 Resize (use 16-bit TIFF if possible).
- Set final dimensions and ppi (e.g., 24×36 in at 300 ppi).
- Choose Genuine Fractals resampling, enable appropriate output sharpening (paper type), and apply light noise reduction if needed.
- Preview at 100% and at target print size; adjust sharpening/noise as necessary.
- Export as 16-bit TIFF with embedded ICC profile or save as high-quality JPEG per lab specs.
- Make a test print and tweak settings if necessary.
Final tips
- Shoot and edit for quality first — resampling can’t fully replace lost detail.
- Prefer 16-bit TIFF for professional prints.
- Use ON1 Resize’s presets as starting points, but always fine-tune sharpening and noise reduction for each image.
- Keep a small physical test print habit — it’s the fastest way to validate settings.
ON1 Resize is a powerful tool when used with careful source preparation, appropriate resampling choices, and targeted sharpening/noise-reduction. With a consistent workflow and a few test prints, you can reliably produce high-quality enlargements suitable for fine-art and commercial printing.
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