[rivanprincess]

I use photoshop elements, correction i have photoshop elements but haven't really learnt how to use it properly yet

This is a very basic question, is it possible to crop a 7 x 5 image and keep the crop 7 x 5, so it prints well?

I've tried and seem to get a really small image

[Dabhand16]

If you crop a section out of an image, in order for you to get a print of the original size you will have to increase the size of the image. This can be trickey, as if you are using a camera with a lower than 5 mpxl sensor, you will probably loose image quality.

You have different resizing options. Some software will create more pixels to give the extra needed to make the bigger image. Just making the image bigger with no extra pixels being added will also give quality issues.

There are programs that are designed specifically to enlarge images and these will usually do a better job than standard editing software.

I don't know if Elements has it, but in PS, in the image menu > image size > look at the document size. This can be changed in this dialogue. You can select metric/imperial etc.

Things to bear in mind - You probably have not retained the proportions of height and width in your crop. If you check the 'constrain proportions' and 'resample image' boxes, you only need to change one of the dimentions (usually the longest) to the size you want and the other one will automatically change in proportion. Look at the document size and change the dimention you want. There is also an option at the bottom to choose the resampling method - set this to the one that is best for enlargements.

[_MB_]

If long edge/short edge = 7/5 then you'll be able to print at 7x5.

If you mean you've cropped it into a different format, then you can either print in that format or have a go at stretching it to fit 7x5 but I suspect the results won't be up to much.

[rivanprincess]

Thanks guys - will give it ago and see what happens - fingers crossed

[Whipspeed]

When using the crop tool, make sure you've got the pixels per inch set to 300 as well. If you go lower on a print that size it will look pixelated.

[rivanprincess]

Thanks Whipspeed, that will help too