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

Wade McMaster - Creator Impact
30 Mar 202314:47

TLDRThis video tutorial guides viewers on how to upscale AI-generated images from Midjourney for high-quality print. It discusses the limitations of standard upscaling in Midjourney versions and offers alternative methods, including using Photoshop, Imagelarger.com, and Topaz Gigapixel AI for better results. The transcript also covers DPI requirements, bleed and margin considerations for printing, and how to prepare images for print-on-demand services or professional printing, ensuring the final product is detailed and free from pixelation.

Takeaways

  • 🔍 Upscaling a square image from Midjourney version 5 results in a 10,240 by 10,240 pixel image, which is the standard for all models except MJ test and MJ test photo.
  • 🔄 The resolution for non-test models is 1024 by 1024 pixels for the first upscale, while the test models result in a 2048 by 2048 pixel image.
  • 📏 The ideal resolution for printing is 300 DPI (dots per inch), which means each dot represents a pixel.
  • 📐 To calculate the printable size, you need to ensure the image has enough pixels to match the desired print size at 300 DPI.
  • 💡 Light upscale, redo, and beta upscale are options in Midjourney versions 4 and earlier, but they may result in detail loss.
  • 🎨 Photoshop can be used to upscale images, but the results may not be the best, and other methods may be preferable.
  • 🌐 Online AI upscalers like imagelarger.com and topaz gigapixel can significantly improve image quality and add detail.
  • 💰 Topaz gigapixel is a paid software that offers high-quality upscaling, while imagelarger.com is a subscription-based service.
  • 🆓 Free alternatives like upscale.media can be used for basic upscaling needs without incurring costs.
  • 🖨 When preparing for print, consider bleed and margin requirements to ensure a clean edge and avoid cutting off important elements.
  • 📑 Use design tools like Canva or Photoshop to create a document with the correct size, bleed, and margin for printing.
  • 📈 Aspect ratio is crucial when preparing images for print; ensure it matches the print document's dimensions to avoid distortion.

Q & A

  • What is the standard resolution of an image created in Midjourney version 5?

    -The standard resolution of an image created in Midjourney version 5, when upscaled, is 1024 by 1024 pixels if it is square.

  • How does the resolution differ when using the MJ test algorithm in Midjourney?

    -When using the MJ test algorithm, the image resolution is 2048 by 2048 pixels, which is higher than the standard resolution for other models in Midjourney.

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

    -An image created in Midjourney might not look good when printed because it may not have a high enough resolution, resulting in a fuzzy or pixelated appearance.

  • What is the recommended DPI for printing an image to ensure quality?

    -The recommended DPI (Dots per Inch) for printing an image is 300, which ensures a high-quality print.

  • What is the significance of bleed in the printing process?

    -Bleed is extra image area around the cut line that allows the printer to cut the print without leaving a white edge, ensuring a clean edge with ink going straight to the edge.

  • How can one determine the size an image needs to be for printing?

    -To determine the size an image needs to be for printing, one must consider the final print size including bleed and margin, ensuring there is enough space to cover any elements that should not be cut off.

  • What are some methods to upscale an image from Midjourney for better print quality?

    -Some methods to upscale an image from Midjourney include using Photoshop's image size feature, the camera raw filter, AI upscalders like ImageLarger.com or Topaz Gigapixel, and free solutions like upscale.media.

  • How does Topaz Gigapixel enhance the quality of an upscaled image?

    -Topaz Gigapixel enhances the quality of an upscaled image by using AI to create hair and details, improving the image and allowing it to be scaled up to six times its original size without losing quality.

  • What steps should be taken to prepare an image for print on demand platforms like Redbubble?

    -To prepare an image for print on demand platforms, one should upload the upscaled image, position it correctly within the platform's interface, ensuring it fits within the bleed and margin requirements.

  • How can one create a print-ready document using Canva.com?

    -To create a print-ready document on Canva.com, one can set a custom size in inches, show margins and bleed, upload the image, adjust it to fit within the bleed area, and then download the design as a PDF with crop marks and bleed included.

  • What considerations should be made when creating a document for printing in Photoshop?

    -When creating a document for printing in Photoshop, one should consider the print size, add a 5% bleed around the image, set the resolution to 300 pixels per inch, and place the image correctly within the document to ensure it fits within the bleed and margin.

Outlines

00:00

🖼️ Upscaling AI Art for Printing

The paragraph discusses the process of upscaling images created with the mid Journey algorithm, highlighting the standard resolution of 1024x1024 pixels for square images and 2048x2048 pixels for the test model. It points out the limitations of printing low-resolution images, which tend to appear fuzzy or pixelated. The speaker mentions various upscaling options like light upscale, redo, and beta upscale, but notes the loss of detail with these methods. The importance of DPI (dots per inch) for printing is explained, with the recommendation that images should be 300 DPI for optimal print quality. The paragraph also covers the concept of bleed and margin in printing, which are essential for avoiding white edges and ensuring a clean cut.

05:02

🛠️ Enhancing Image Resolution for Print

This paragraph explores methods to upscale low-resolution AI-generated images to a higher quality suitable for printing. It suggests using Photoshop's image size feature with 'Preserve Details 2.0' for upscaling, but acknowledges the suboptimal results. The speaker also recommends using the camera raw filter and the 'Oil Paint' filter in Photoshop for smoothing out images. An alternative AI-based upscaling service, imagelarger.com, is introduced, which adds detail and noise to increase image size. The paragraph concludes by discussing Topaz Gigapixel, a paid software that uses AI to create detailed upscaled images up to six times the original size, and suggests further enhancement in Photoshop for even better results.

10:03

📚 Preparing AI Art for Print Layout

The final paragraph focuses on preparing upscaled AI art for print by creating the correct document size, including bleed and margin. It provides a step-by-step guide on using Canva.com to create a custom print layout, showing how to set up margins, bleed, and rulers for precise positioning of the image. The speaker also explains how to convert a PNG file to JPEG if necessary for uploading to print platforms. Additionally, the paragraph describes how to prepare a print-ready PDF in Photoshop, including setting the correct pixel density and color mode. The importance of maintaining the correct aspect ratio and fitting the image to the document size is emphasized to ensure a proper fit for printing.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Upscale

Upscaling refers to the process of increasing the resolution of an image or video. In the context of the video, it involves enhancing low-resolution images created in Midjourney to make them suitable for high-quality print. The script explains that the initial upscale of a square image in Midjourney results in an image with dimensions of 1024 by 1024 pixels, which is not high enough for printing without appearing fuzzy or pixelated.

💡DPI (Dots per inch)

DPI stands for Dots per inch and is a measure of spatial printing or video dot density. In the script, it is mentioned as a crucial factor for printing artwork, where a higher DPI results in a clearer print. The video emphasizes that for good print quality, an image should ideally be 300 DPI at the size it is printed.

💡Aspect Ratio

Aspect ratio is the proportional relationship between the width and height of an image or screen, commonly expressed as two numbers separated by a colon. The video script discusses how the aspect ratio can affect the resolution of an image when upscaled and the importance of maintaining the correct aspect ratio for printing purposes.

💡Bleed

In printing, bleed is the portion of the image that extends beyond the trim area, ensuring that when the print is cut, there are no white edges. The script describes the necessity of bleed, providing an example of how a letter-sized sheet is printed with extra image area to allow for clean cutting.

💡Margin

Margin in printing refers to the space left around the final printed piece to ensure that important content is not cut off during the trimming process. The video script explains the need for a margin in addition to bleed, to provide a safe area for the printer to cut into without losing any essential parts of the image.

💡Image Size

Image size pertains to the dimensions of an image in pixels or inches. The script discusses adjusting the image size in Photoshop to meet the requirements for high-quality printing, ensuring that the image is large enough and has the necessary detail to avoid a pixelated appearance.

💡AI Art Platform

An AI art platform, such as Midjourney, is a tool or service that uses artificial intelligence to create or modify artwork. The video script mentions Midjourney as an example of an AI art platform from which one can start with a low-resolution image and upscale it for print using various methods.

💡Topaz Gigapixel

Topaz Gigapixel is a software application that uses AI to increase the size of images without losing quality. In the script, it is presented as a high-quality option for upscaling images, capable of creating detailed and enlarged versions of the original artwork, although it comes at a cost.

💡Print on Demand

Print on Demand (POD) is a service where products are not produced until an order has been placed, reducing the need for inventory. The video script refers to platforms like Redbubble, which allow users to upload their images and position them correctly for printing using the service's interface.

💡Canva

Canva is an online design platform used for creating visual content such as logos, posters, and social media graphics. In the script, Canva is mentioned as a tool to create a document with the correct size for printing, including the ability to show margins, print bleed, and use rulers and guides for precise placement.

💡Crop Marks

Crop marks are lines or symbols on a printed sheet that indicate where the paper should be trimmed. The script explains how to add crop marks to a PDF file in preparation for printing, ensuring that the printer knows exactly where to cut the image for a professional finish.

Highlights

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

All Midjourney models from version one to five, except MJ test and MJ test photo, upscale to 1024 by 1024 pixels on the first upscale.

MJ test algorithm creates a 2048 by 2048 pixels image on the first upscale.

Upscaling with light or beta upscalers may result in detail loss.

The ideal image for printing should be 300 DPI at the printed size.

An image of 10,240 by 1024 pixels can only be printed at about 3 inches by 3 inches.

Printers often print multiple images on larger sheets and use a guillotine to cut them, requiring bleed and margin.

Bleed is extra image around the cut to avoid white edges, and margin is the space for the printer to cut into.

To upscale images for print, Photoshop's Image Size feature can be used with 'Preserve Details 2.0'.

The Camera Raw filter and the Oil Paint filter in Photoshop are alternative methods for image upscaling.

AI upscalers like imagelarger.com and Topaz Gigapixel can significantly improve image detail and resolution.

Topaz Gigapixel is a paid software that offers high-quality image upscaling using AI.

Free solutions like upscale.media allow up to four times image upscaling with quality enhancement.

PNG to JPEG conversion may be necessary for certain platforms that do not support PNG files.

Canva.com can be used to create custom-sized designs with margins and bleed for print.

In Photoshop, creating a new document with the correct size and bleed can prepare an image for printing.

Aspect ratios should be maintained when preparing images for specific print document sizes.

The video provides a comprehensive guide on how to upscale and prepare AI-generated art for high-quality printing.