: Reduce handmade graphics for sharper look? From hearsay I know that some designers reduce handmade graphics (hand drawn sketches, woodcut, linocut, ...) to give the graphics a "sharp" look. I

@Michele215

That is not necesary the case for all handmade things.

In some cases the contrary is a best option, for example a brushstroke, a drop of ink. You could make thoose at a smaller scale and print it at a bigger one to see the imperfections. Another case could be making the original at 100%. This is case by case basis.

Sometimes the "imperfections" you want to hide are not the texture of the strokes, but the imperfections on the proportions of the drawing, for example details on a small face, a tiny variation could make a big nose on your character.

The resolution is diferent than the scale

One thing that defines the sharpness is not the scale. It is the scann resolution.

You can have a big engraving, but if you take a picture of that with a miniresolution camera, your print will be pixelated or smudge.

So you have 3 aspects to consider:

1) Make some tests on how you want the look of your strokes.

2) Define if that scale is enough for the detail you want.

3) Define the final size of your image.

Strokes, detail, size.

Based on thoose points, make the math to have your minimum scann resolution. If you need the tipical 300ppi you could need a 600ppi scann if you want a 1:2 image.

Postprocessing

Another thing could be contrasting the final scann to make the edges more sharp. Again this is resolution and scale independent.

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