I'd like to offer a low res CD with my wedding package allowing clients to only print good 4x6s or maybe 5x7s if they choose.

How do I regulate that in Photoshop? Best to change image size or pixels or resolution? And to what? Thank you in advance for suggestions!

Make sure it's set to scale styles/constrain proportions/resample image, and I always set to 960x1440 (4x6) @ 240 dpi.

I came here today looking for this very same information. I have a client that wants a low-res CD of images to be able to share via email, post to her Facebook, My Space, etc...

If they are using it for web only....I would not go above 72 dpi and 600 pixels on the long side.

Laurie

Thanks for the advice, Laurie!

we do the same and then make an action for it.

The easiest way to do this to a bunch of files is with the image processor, that's what it's for! File>Automate>Image Processor. Click the Resize to Fit box and enter the longest pixel dimension for the size you want.

Example: if you want the to be able to print photo quality 4x6's, then put 1800px in both boxes, 5x7's, 2100px.

Also know that if you give people around 2MP or more, they will print it at sizes way above 4x6. I know dozens of people who have printed them as 11x14's from files that small.

Agree with Dustin. Just because they are low res, don't assume that people won't try to print 8x10's and 11x14's with those files.

If people are faced with a choice of paying $2 for an enlargement at Walmart that's a bit soft and pixelated vs. paying you $40 for a good print, plenty of people will go for the $2 option.