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Post by Eric on Oct 15, 2012 14:29:27 GMT -5
Ok, you have that special digital photo edited just the way you like. Now it is time to send the file for printing. What format and color space do you use? What other little things have you found that will insure the best print possible?
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jenniferh
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Post by jenniferh on Oct 17, 2012 7:52:32 GMT -5
For me, I send Jpegs in sRGB. That is what the labs I use suggest in their guidlines. As far as tips, Editing your images on a calibrated monitor will ensure that your prints come back looking as you intended. This is also true with using a pro lab over the corner drugstore/big box store. I always suggest Mpix or Unitprints to my clients that purchase digital files. They are both the consumer end of pro labs.
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Post by Eric on Oct 17, 2012 8:32:49 GMT -5
Hi jenniferh,
Welcome and thanks for your suggestions. I guess one of my concerns with jpg is that it is a compressed version of the raw data. If I send the print company a compressed file does that mean there is something in the photo that won't make it onto the print?
I also don't understand the different color settings when exporting a file for print from LightRoom I have the option of sRGB, AdobeRGB (1998), ProPhoto RGB, and a few others. You mentioned you use sRGB, is this the best or just what the printing company expects? Where might I pick one of the other options or should I just not worry about it?
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jenniferh
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[AWD:01]Founding Member
Posts: 11
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Post by jenniferh on Oct 17, 2012 19:22:05 GMT -5
Eric, do you know what lab you plan to use for print? They should all have information for you on prepping your files for print to their specifications. I mostly use Prolab Express, and they take Jpeg files. Actually all labs that I have printed with do. I have not lost any data that I can see in any of my printed work....up to 20x30, which isn't huge, but large.
As far as color space, I use sRGB because all labs I use take that profile. It is also web friendly. So I don't need to change color space when posting to my site/blog/Facebook. You will notice that if you post a CMYK or Adobe RGB image online, the color will appear very washed out. I like being able to see my color across the board. One less step to worry about.
I know there is a lot of complex info out there about both files and color space. My knowledge is pretty basic. I do know that I am happy with my prints 90% of the time. No loss of detail unless I clip highlights/blacks (which I'm pretty careful not to do).
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Post by Eric on Oct 17, 2012 19:57:15 GMT -5
Jenniferh,
Thanks for your post. I'll check out pro labs. Yes, there is a LOT of confusing information. I'm new to the digital printing process. I have only had two 20x 30 prints made so far. I was not happy with the results. The color and luminance was way off. It was a low cost printer, so that might very well been a good part of my issue.
Again, thanks.
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Post by CalvinDigital (Charles Calvin) on Oct 18, 2012 12:45:32 GMT -5
It's also important that whatever screen you are using for editing is calibrated correctly. You may be seeing a false representation of your work, something I found out back during the Photography Fight Club Group Event. My shots looked great on my computer screen but super red to everyone else. Turned out my Gama was way out of wack so I was editing to compensate for that and in turn ruining my shots.
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Post by rkarolak on Oct 26, 2012 12:34:31 GMT -5
High-quality (100%) JPEGs with sRGB work well most of the time. Everyone knows how to handle those. For complete quality preservation, there is TIFF, but not everyone will like receiving them as they are so huge. Maybe if you get published in a magazine they'll ask for them.
Reach out to the printer if you are unsure.
Like Calvin mentioned, getting your monitor's gamma, color, and contrast calibrated as close as you can helps a lot, even if it can be a pain sometimes.
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Post by lumigraphics on Oct 28, 2012 10:13:32 GMT -5
Best thing to do is ask the lab. Most of them have a guide to color profiles and colorspaces.
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