I mentioned in yesterday’s post we were switching some art around in the living room. I purchased a few new prints that I’ve been eyeing for awhile and we are moving the main art wall to the larger wall behind the couch in the coming weeks. And while I love art, I love our girls more (obviously) so I wanted to make sure we had a prominent place for some photos of them, too. I was worried framing a bunch of smaller photos and creating a gallery would be busy and compete with the adjacent wall when we’re done with it, so I went for my favorite–engineer prints. Update: I got these printed at my local Alphagraphics. They are nationwide so maybe you have one near you, too? Staples also prints these for a similar price. The process is the same.
This isn’t my first time using engineer prints, (check out this one with just typography for Faye’s nursery) I just love them. And seeing our girls larger than life has made our living room much more personal. Here are a few tips I’ve learned along the way to achieve something similar.
1. A light plain background is best for portraits. Engineer prints aren’t the best quality printing method. That’s why they are so cheap! Like, a couple bucks tops, cheap. So eliminating the ink that appears on the paper will really go a long way in creating a crisper looking image. Not to mention, the subject really stands out like this.
Here are the originals (straight out of my camera), next to the one I sent to the printer:
2. Think about the size of the actual subject. Faye is little compared to Greta, but Greta is still a little girl, too. So when I was taking Faye’s photo, I made sure to keep a lot of blank space above her so when I framed her photo, she would still be baby-sized in comparison to Greta. And when I cropped Greta’s photo (this is one I took of her while we still lived in our old house that I’ve always loved) I made sure to keep plenty of negative space again to keep that little girl feel to it. Negative space is so important.
3. Make it black and white before you send it to the printer. After I brightened and cropped each photo, I made them black and white so I have a better idea of what I am going to be picking up. I love using Pioneer Woman’s B&W Beauty action for this (free here!). Things look so different in black and white–really! In both instances, I deleted the action momentarily, messed with the contrast a little more and then added the filter again to send it off.
4. The last thing I would recommend doing is to adjust your resolution. I did this in Photoshop CS4, but you can do it in Preview on a Mac, too! (I have no idea how to even operate a windows based computer anymore, sorry.) Both of these photos came out of my Canon camera, but the resolution was only in the 90s. A lot of times, you might see a 72 px/in there. I shoot it up to 200 so that the image is far, far FAR less pixelated. This will really cut down on the graininess that is typically associated with Engineer prints.
I put each print into the largest Walnut Ribba frame from Ikea which really warms up the black and whites, and I already had them. Nixing the mat really allows the subject (my cute girls) to shine. There’s a time and a place for a mat, I just don’t think portrait engineer prints are it.
I do realize these prints aren’t new or ground breaking, but I hope these tips help bring about your best ones yet. $2 prints never looked so good. Really.
See more of the family room here. See something else you like? You can shop all the sources in our entire home right here (scroll down for the family room).
106 COMMENTS
Tarah
7 months ago
What size are your frames
Michele Brown
7 months ago
Who is the manufacturer of the lounge sofa? Thanks!
Chris Loves Julia
7 months ago
Interior Define!
Kierah Larson
12 months ago
Anyone have luck doing it on their phone? I took the pics with my nice camera. Idk what the pixels are tho… but then i transfered them to my phone. I am able to get them to a decent black and white that washes out the background using picsart. But now my problem is finding an app that allows me to do step 4. Seems like an important step too. Any ideas? I called my local office max to see if they do the engineered prints. They do, but are being a bit difficult with me saying they may not approve my pics as engineered because its a portrait, not blueprint. Otherwise i would just take what i have in and see how well it prints off. Thanks in advance!
Hilary
1 year ago
Love this! How do you hang the frames on the wall where there isn’t a stud, and about how far apart did you place the frames?
Chris
10 months ago
Anchors, and you’ll measure the distance based on your frame size.
Jenna Gerringer
2 years ago
Love this!!! I was wondering if I could do this with an iPhone?!?! And then upload on apple computer and lighten it? Or lighten it on Instagram and then black and white it with that link you shared?
Julia
2 years ago
AUTHORThe new phone’s cameras are so good I bet you could!
Isabella
2 years ago
I LOVE this idea and really want to do this with my kids but I’m a little confused with the whole engineering paper. I know that costco does poster prints, would it almost be the same thing?
Ashley Lund
2 years ago
HOW do you hang RIBBA frames? I am lost here.
Julia
2 years ago
AUTHORYou need to attach wire to the back.
Abby
2 years ago
I don’t have photoshop. Do you have any tips for doing this if someone doesn’t own photoshop? Anyone have any luck doing this without photoshop???
Laura
2 years ago
I did the best I could using Preview on the MacBook by filter/altering lighting/enhacing/etc.
Danielle Weinbrenner
2 years ago
What size frame did you get?? Also, do you need to cut down the print or is it just the right size?
Julia
2 years ago
AUTHOR24×36
Tania
2 years ago
Hi! Just wondering when you took the pics of your beautiful children with your camera – was it in a raw or jpeg setting? Any tips are greatly appreciated! Thank you!! 😊
Julia
2 years ago
AUTHORI just took them in jpg.
Hoa
2 years ago
Can I use the free BW download from Pioneer Woman in Lightroom CS6?
Julia
2 years ago
AUTHORdefinitely!
Jenna
3 years ago
Hey girl! I love this! I do have a question. Can you do this with an iPhone??
Julia
3 years ago
AUTHORThe newer iPhones have great cameras, so you should be able to!
Jennifer Doss
3 years ago
I really want to do this for my dogs and I also cannot figure out how you said you cropped it to get the background white!? Please please explain. Thank you so much!
Julia
3 years ago
AUTHORMake sure you photograph on a light, blank wall. Once you put it in black and white and up the contrast a little, it should print white.
Kristin
3 years ago
Can you explain how you made the background white washed (i.e. how do you get rid of the baseboard and the floor, etc.)?
Julia
3 years ago
AUTHORI cropped it in and brightened the rest.
Connie Lee
3 years ago
how come you made the document sized 30×40 inches?
Julia
3 years ago
AUTHORThat’s how large my frame was.
eve
3 years ago
beauty is so much more than “skin deep.” you and your family are refreshed and blessed each day with such beauty and love. keep the love going………………..
peace
Gaby
3 years ago
I looooovveeee this composition Julia! I think it’s unique and very personal. Best art anyone can have in their home 😊
Sini
3 years ago
Where did you print your photos?
Julia
3 years ago
AUTHORAlphagraphics! But I have done it through Staples, too.
Brittney
3 years ago
Did you use Staples engineering prints or photo enlargements? The engineering prints say not suitable for photo images.
Julia
3 years ago
AUTHORWe used Alphagraphics.
Shelbi
2 years ago
When you have used Staples did you choose the black and white blue prints option?
Nada
3 years ago
Nice and brilliant 😍
* i like the sofa , where you get it from ?
Julia
3 years ago
AUTHORInterior define!
Bess
4 years ago
If anyone has ideas for a similar frame because ikea no longer carries this size, please share!!! Thank you!
Katie
3 years ago
Did you ever find a similar frame? I really want this look and cannot find it!
Jessi
3 years ago
I just bought these at Mihaels on super sale for this project! They’re close
http://www.michaels.com/honey-belmont-frame-by-studio-decor/10487725.html?mkwid=sZy5QIUf5|pcrid|219861684228|pkw||pmt||pdv|c|prd|10487725&cm_mmc=zadv_PLASearch-_-google-_-LPOS-RLSA-_-LPOS-70-Off-RLSA&utm_source=google&utm_term=&utm_campaign=LPOS-RLSA&utm_medium=cpc&utm_content=sZy5QIUf5|pcrid|219861684228|pkw||pmt||pdv|c|prd|10487725&gclid=CjwKCAjw9O3NBRB3EiwAK6wPT0DxIhp0iYrhXRSc8r4DmueOBcQ9WadJht2LPrfH70o0U3-7k-c2MxoCc3oQAvD_BwE
Sara Tower
4 years ago
I love this idea! Do you mind sharing where the coffee table is from?
Desiree G
4 years ago
I love this idea, thank you! Also, can I ask where your couch is from? :)
Julia
4 years ago
AUTHORInterior define
Desiree G
4 years ago
Thank you, Julia.
Shayna
4 years ago
Love this idea!! But I cannot find these frames anywhere!! Can you send a like to where I can find these frames from ikea?
Tina
4 years ago
Did you use a fancy camera? The only camera I have currently is my iPhone :/ Do you think a picture from my phone could work with an engineer print?
Julia
4 years ago
AUTHORI do have a DSLR camera. The newer iPhones you may be able to get away with it!
Maya
4 years ago
Is there a reason why you sized the photo on PS to be 30×40 instead of the 30×42 size offered by Alphagraphics? I got one done at OfficeMax and sized it exactly what my frame is but ended up having two white borders on the top and bottom of the print. ): I’m wondering if resizing the image to be a little smaller will resolve that problem?
Julia
4 years ago
AUTHORJust so it would fit in the frame.
Rachel Brehm
4 years ago
I checked online at ikea and don’t see the walnut ribba frame. Did you purchase them a long time ago? I really love the color!
Julia
4 years ago
AUTHORi did :/
jaclyn
4 years ago
so very sad about this. I just looked online to buy the frames.
Victoria
5 years ago
I can’t wait to do this using a newborn photo from my little one on the way! Thanks for tips! Also, where did you get that round coffee table?? I’m loving it but having a hard time finding one similar to it that doesn’t cost $400..
bella moore
5 years ago
Omg these are absolutely amazing! I adore the technique! Thank you for the step by step process! Def will be trying thank you!!!
Lexey Burkett
5 years ago
Hi I have two questions. What size frame did you buy? Also where’s that coffee table from?
Julia
5 years ago
AUTHORHi Lexey, the frame is the largest Ikea Ribba frame. I can’t remember the exact size, but it’s close to 40″ tall. The coffee table is from Shop Candelabra. You can see where everything in our home is from right here.
Kat
5 years ago
Thank you so much for sharing this! I am a photographer and LOVE how these turned out! Going to do this for my 3 boys:) just looked though and cannot find the frames on ikea site. Is the actual frame size 30×40? Or did you have to cut some of the prints? Thanks again
Emily Olson
5 years ago
Kat, the RIBBA frames are still available but sadly the walnut finish was discontinued in 2012. Sad as it was definitely my favorite!
Kat
5 years ago
Thanks Emily! That is sad:( I cannot even find them that large 39×40 online in any color… I may just need to go to the store! Thanks for your help!
Kat
5 years ago
Oops I meant 30×40
Meghan
5 years ago
Is there any way that you could do this with photos you take with an iPhone? I have some amazing pictures that I’ve taken with the iPhone camera, but every time I print them out, they look blurry. Thoughts? Recommendations?
Julia
5 years ago
AUTHORTry uploading them to your computer and changing the ppi to around 220.
Bethany R
5 years ago
I’ve printed out engineer prints before, but they’ve always turned out pretty meh. But I followed your instructions today and my print turned out great! I just tagged you on Insta so you’d see it. : ) THANKS so much!
Julia
5 years ago
AUTHORYay!
Amy
5 years ago
I just want to clarify… did you send your photos in as B&W or color? I’ve been wanting to do large prints of my kids for a while and I’m finally reading your tips on this!! We just bought our first home and wall space is a little interesting, so hopefully the hall is a good spot!
Julia
5 years ago
AUTHORI sent it in black and white so I could control the values better.
Jacy
5 years ago
I am so so impressed with this idea and so glad I stumbled across this tutorial from Michele and happycamperlife.com! I never would have thought to do this, and I love the soft walnut finish against the high contrast black and white. I can’t wait to do this when I have kiddos of my own!
Jacy
http://www.lovelenore.com
Beja
5 years ago
I wandered over from your feature on The Nester’s website. LOVE how they turned out. Love that I already have the action. Think I will redo an engineer print I did of a buffalo photography I took a few years ago.
Thanks for this post!!!!!
Whitney Shortt
5 years ago
These are so sweet! Thank you for the tips!!
Jeannine
5 years ago
This is so awsome! I have wanted to try this for so long and have the perfect pictures of my girls. I tried a few different ways and it was so expensive. Thank you so much for the detailed post
Susie
6 years ago
Did you mount your photos to foam core or anything before framing? I just got photos of my three gals framed, and I love them, but the paper looks pretty rippled still under the glass. I’m wondering if mounting them first might be necessary? Did you have this issue?
April
5 years ago
You probably just have too much space within the frame (between the print and the frame back). Adding something behind the print (like a sheet of foam core or cardboard) should help, but you probably don’t need to stick the photo to it.
Anne
6 years ago
Great post! Love your tips–and LOVE how beautifully you’ve portrayed your girls! I did something similar with pictures of my kids, but I love your ideas for how to make them really shine. Thanks for sharing!
emily
6 years ago
Inspired – I adore these!
I’m confused about step 1. Can you please explain how you made the backgrounds all white? I cant wait to try this!
Ps I use a Mac too and dint have speccial software.
Julia
6 years ago
AUTHORWhen you use a plain, relatively light wall for your background, when you make the image black and white and brighten it a bit–it will look white.
Emily
6 years ago
Thank you! I am going to try this. Really appreciate the detailed post and the notes on how to do it!
Sarah
6 years ago
Wow! I LOVE these!
I’m 40, but I feel like I’m 106 when it comes to technology. I’d love, love, love to have these of my kids, but the process looks too daunting….
Do you think I could email the pictures somewhere and pay someone to create?
It’d be the perfect Mother’s Day dream-come-true!
I’d love to know if you have any suggestions.
Thank you,
Sarah
Julia
6 years ago
AUTHORShoot me an email, Sarah. julia@chrislovesjulia.com
Alina
6 years ago
Adorable! Great tips :). Just what i needed. Thank you. Absolutely gorgeous!!!
Karen Moreno
6 years ago
Support a local/family-owned business, and have your prints printed at a reprographics (aka blueprint) shop! My family owns one, and most of the other reprographers in my area (So Cal) are family-owned too. At my shop, 24×36 b&w prints from a full-size PDF are just $1.08/each (though we have an $8 printing minimum).
Julia
6 years ago
AUTHORAmazing! Thanks for sharing the word, Karen!
Katie
2 years ago
I realize this post was 4 years ago, but do you still do the large engineer prints from a photo and if so do you ship outside of your area?
Katie
6 years ago
I just did a huge engineer print today for our 2015 goals and it was sooooooooooooooo cheap and it looks great. I definitely want to try it again but with photos this time. Thanks for sharing all your tips and for including the link to Pioneer Woman’s photoshop actions. I just dowloaded them and have been playing around — they are GREAT!
Julia
6 years ago
AUTHORYay! So glad.
Michelle
6 years ago
Great idea! Curious what frames did you purchase? Thank you so much !
Julia
6 years ago
AUTHORThese are the biggest Ribba frames from Ikea. Work like a charm.
julia-tagandtibby
6 years ago
genius! we printed some artwork at the local printer in our last house. I need to try this stat!
Jennifer @ Brave New Home
6 years ago
These turned out stunningly! I love being walked through the process. I have yet to try an engineer print but I have some pretty large walls to fill. And thanks for sharing that action—can’t wait to try it!
Brittany
6 years ago
I love these prints! You’re girls are adorable. I work at an AlphaGraphics location and just wanted to point out that not all locations take walk ins. The one I work at usually only works with businesses as well. AG is franchised so the locations are all slightly different.
Julia
6 years ago
AUTHORGood to know, Brittany!
Claire
6 years ago
Lovely! But just so you know, the phrase is “larger than life”, not “larger than light” :)
Julia
6 years ago
AUTHORHaha. Not sure how that slipped by me and my proofreader, Chris. Thanks, Claire!
Meagan Briggs
6 years ago
LOVE this. Love it. Want to do it now!
Shelby
6 years ago
I just love these!!! They turned out so good. I don’t have any kids (yet) but I’m dying to do engineer prints of my pups…if only my friends wouldn’t make fun of me! :)
Victoria
6 years ago
I’ve been wanting to pull the trigger on some engineer prints. This might have been just the thing to push me over the edge.
Evelina
6 years ago
These look SO amazing! I looooooooove the negative space.
Engineer prints scare me. I would be so scared that they are pixely but yours look great!
Jeni
6 years ago
OK, yeah, I had a picture selected to make a print out of but I think I will totally copy you instead and do portraits of our little ladies! Love them.
Ps. New follower here. Enjoying all of your content :)
Julia
6 years ago
AUTHORWelcome Jeni! Thanks so much!
Amanda @ Our Humble Abode
6 years ago
Julia, your girls are so cute. And the prints look fantastic love that they’re a slightly more artistic/modern portrait.
Jennifer
6 years ago
Where did you get the prints done? They look lovely!
Julia
6 years ago
AUTHORI better add that to the post. I got them printed at my local Alphagraphics. They are nationwide so maybe you have one by you?
Anonymous
6 years ago
I have the perfect photo to go ahead and print and there’s an alphagraphics right down the street from us! I feel like I’ve been all through their website, but I can’t find an option for engineer prints. What print option did you choose? Mine keeps working out to around $30 and I know that’s not right!
Julia
6 years ago
AUTHORThe first time I did it, I emailed my local store and they sent me back this response:
For these large Ikea frames, I get the largest one. Try emailing or calling your local store!
Jenn
6 years ago
oops.
Jenn
6 years ago
oops…didn’t mean to post as anonymous, or AGAIN. you’d think that I’m completely internet incompetent! haha rough day. lots of toddler. lots of coffee.
Laura @ Rather Square
6 years ago
These came out so beautifully, hard to believe they are so inexpensive!
Marianne
6 years ago
Great pictures Julia ! Your girl are so lovely. These prints are meaningful and very modern at the same time. Well done !