Using a cover scan as a full sized poster, how feasible? The Guardian Legend, EU

[hippox89]

Hallo. I've found this site searching through the web searching for a poster of the NES game, The Guardian Legend, EU version. It's such beautiful retro art that I thought would be about the coolest thing hanging on my wall ever. Unfortunately, it's impossible to buy the EU version of this art anywhere. So I thought I might be able to order a poster by providing an image source myself instead. To my delight I found that this site had a scan, but unfortunately the front of this particular scan is not in great shape. Like, faded black and scratches.

I have some questions about all of this.

1. Will/can this particular scan be restored to better quality more suited for printing? Maybe somebody is even able and willing? I can only ask nicely and appreciate any help.
2. How likely is it that a better copy will be scanned and uploaded during my reminding lifetime. Would it be silly to even wait and hope?
3. Can even the perfect scan of a cover be feasible to be used as a poster for A1/A2?

Maybe this thread should be a request, but I was unsure, so I posted it here. Don't roast me for it.

Thank you kindly for any help or suggestions you can provide

[Dr.Agon]

hey, welcome aboard!,

i'll give somewhat silly answers ( cos I'm feeling somewhat silly! )

Hallo. I've found this site searching through the web searching for a poster of the NES game, The Guardian Legend, EU version. It's such beautiful retro art that I thought would be about the coolest thing hanging on my wall ever. Unfortunately, it's impossible to buy the EU version of this art anywhere. So I thought I might be able to order a poster by providing an image source myself instead. To my delight I found that this site had a scan, but unfortunately the front of this particular scan is not in great shape. Like, faded black and scratches.

I have some questions about all of this.

cool, fire away!

1. Will/can this particular scan be restored to better quality more suited for printing? Maybe somebody is even able and willing? I can only ask nicely and appreciate any help.

1. Possibly, it might take awhile, and it might not be 100% perfect, but it can be made better. the site has many cover wizards who could do it, whether they're willing to is another matter entirely, asking nicely, and having a little patience, certainly helps!

2. How likely is it that a better copy will be scanned and uploaded during my reminding lifetime. Would it be silly to even wait and hope?

2. that all depends on how old, and how patient, you are! maybe someday someone will get pissed off about the poor quality scan, buy a perfect copy and hand the scan off to one of the wizards!

3. Can even the perfect scan of a cover be feasible to be used as a poster for A1/A2?

3. I don't think even a 100% perfect scan could be made into an A1 poster, blowing it up to that size would show a lot of pixellation/flaws, IMHO.
MAYBE  A3, but i think even that would be pushing it...

Maybe this thread should be a request, but I was unsure, so I posted it here. Don't roast me for it.

Thank you kindly for any help or suggestions you can provide

its not really a request though, is it? you're in the right place as far as I can tell, (famous last words...?), and don't worry, we're nice (mostly), unless you turn out to be crazy...

(not very helpful, oh well )

[hippox89]

Hey Agon. Thank you for the varm welcome. It's always nice to find sites like this that has a passion about sharing and preserving art that would otherwise just get lost in time. Besides, I have a thing for retro stuff. So lots to look at here. Anyhow, I think I could live with A3 size. You can probably calculate the optimal size depending on the viewing distance and acceptable PPI, right? 2 or 3 meters sounds about right for a poster.

I'll also have to try Adobe's 'preserve details' upscaling which I read about, but it's likely going to be a trade off at best. So yea, I'm crossing my fingers that somebody it's going to find that perfect copy and be willing to share it. Or that one of the wizards is willing to spread the time on cleaning the currently best sample up a bit more.

Otherwise, I can only help by keeping my eyes open at flea markets for that small chance of finding the perfect copy myself.

[wiggy]

No matter how high resolution the scan may be, it cannot exceed that of the original image (think "enhance" on CSI).

That said, with a good scan, and a whole lot of Photoshop filter love, it's sometimes possible to get an image to the point where up scaling it is passable.

[sheep2001]

Try printing this at A3


Link: https://app.box.com/s/srymrk8z4m8tga2le22fwmrd62vi4nqi

Bear in mind, it's taken from a shit scan and been fucked about with.  It might be horrible, it might be alright.  I think it will be OK at A3.