How do you get final images to the client?

[nickadocker]

I've finished a series of illustrations that will be printed for a children's book, and now need to get them to the client...

Each page contains an illustration along with text, and was created with the following specs:

- Photoshop CS2 at 400dpi (CMYK)
- Pixel dimensions: Width-10400 / Height-10400
- Document Size: Width-26 inches / Height-26 inches

Now that I have the finished images (.PSD with all the layers), what file format should I save the files to deliver to the client -- .JPG | .TIF | .PSD with all the layers flattened??
It's important that the quality of the images do not get degraded or compressed.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks in advance,

Nick

PS - Once I understand which format to save the files, my next question is how do you get the files to the client -- I have a feeling file size will be 100-300mb per image! Emailing a file that size will never work, right? Is that true?

[ScottEwen]

The best thing to do is call or email your client and ask what they need. In my experience different people want different things. Some places want a PDF, some want a JPG, it's all depending on your client.

As for getting it to them, if you're transporting a huge file, sometimes the best thing to do is get yourself a website and put it up on a secret page, then email them the URL where they can find it.

[ScottEwen]

Oh also, you can reduce file size by dropping the resolution. You're working at 400 dpi, which is more than anyone will need unless the final product is going to be huge (like poster or billboard size). 200 dpi is fine for print, anything beyond that is overkill. And of course, for internet, 72dpi is the standard.

[E.J.Su]

Flatten the image and save as Tiff with LZW compression. it will reduce the file size quite a bit, and there will be no loss of image quality.

[F!]

Don't drop the resolution. 400dpi is good for rasterized text. Reduce the document dimensions to print size (unless it really will be printed at 26"x26"). Then what E.J. said.

The client may have an FTP set-up to allow you to transfer large files directly, or you can use a service like SendSpace.com or similar.

[Tony Moore]

Flatten the image and save as Tiff with LZW compression. it will reduce the file size quite a bit, and there will be no loss of image quality.

Truth.

Don't drop the resolution. 400dpi is good for rasterized text. Reduce the document dimensions to print size (unless it really will be printed at 26"x26"). Then what E.J. said.

The client may have an FTP set-up to allow you to transfer large files directly, or you can use a service like SendSpace.com or similar.

also truth.

if they don't have an FTP, and you don't have a personal FTP, you can also burn it to CD and send it in the mail.

-T

[nickadocker]

Thanks for the tips, guys! Very helpful!
One image was 413mb, then after LZW came out to 2.7mb

[Nerdface]

What EJ and F!NCH said. I use http://www.yousendit.com for larger files, seems to work nicely so far.

[Inkthinker]

TIFF is usually the format I find most often requested by the client, and it's usually what I deliver as well.

[J & S Harrington]

As for getting it to them, if you're transporting a huge file, sometimes the best thing to do is get yourself a website and put it up on a secret page, then email them the URL where they can find it.

This is the best way, in my experience. I've had to send large files to clients a few times, and it seems like this way is easier than trying to work with FTP (unless the client has their own FTP site, of course).


-S