How can I prepare Lightroom files for an online photo lab print order?
Asked 6/20/2011
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I use Lightroom for organizing and editing, but I order prints from online labs rather than a local printer. What’s the best Lightroom workflow for preparing files for a lab, especially for ICC profiles, cropping to common print sizes, resizing, and final sharpening? Can Lightroom handle this on its own, or is Photoshop usually needed for the last steps?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
15y ago
2 Answers
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I can't address the full scope of your question, but I can tell you that most labs don't want to know anything about your profiles The point of a profile is to generate a wonky set of differentials that allow imperfect physical displays and print outputs to display an adequate representation of the "true" image values in your image file. If your system is properly profiled, then the data in the file will be the ideal data, and the profile(s) are only used to let you see a best-case approximation of the ideal on your output device. So, if your equipment is properly profiled, the lab doesn't need any additional data beyond the file -- their own equipment will be profiled to render that file properly according to their own equipment's rendering quirks. And you shouldn't need to apply their profile for them (in most cases). The only thing you might have to worry about in colour terms is whether the lab prefers sRGB or Adobe for your application (and sRGB is not only standard but preferred for photographic/chemical printer/processors). Your lab will let you know what they want.
Much the same thing goes for sizing -- they (or their equipment) will know the optimum resolution for the substrate and printing technique, so any image size that's "adequate" will do (you wouldn't want to submit a VGA-sized image for a 30" x 40" print). Don't get hung up on PPI concerns at your end; that's the lab's job. You can certainly downsize an image to save upload time/bit count or upscale an image that's way too small for the desired print size (mostly to satisfy yourself that jaggies and other artifacts won't be introduced), but within reason you can trust the lab to do at least as good a job as you can (often invisibly in the printer system's RIP). Much the same can be said for pre-print sharpening; it's often done automatically for the output device in the RIP process.
The only time you'd want to get directly involved is when dealing with the canvas wrap issue, and I'm not familiar enough with Lightroom to tell you if or how you might be able to add a wrap border. It may be necessary to output to Photoshop.
Originally by user2719. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user2719
15y ago
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Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
Yes—Lightroom can handle most of an online lab print workflow.
A practical approach is to use Lightroom’s Print module and choose Print to: JPEG File instead of a local printer. Set the custom file dimensions to the final print size/canvas size the lab requires, then export that JPEG for upload.
For ICC profiles, many labs provide profiles for specific papers. You can install the lab’s profile and select it in Lightroom’s Color Management section for soft-proofing/output. However, labs often just want a correctly prepared image file; they use their own profiled printers to render it. So follow the specific lab’s instructions.
For cropping, use Lightroom’s crop aspect ratios or the Print module’s layout/file dimensions to match the ordered print size. For canvas wraps/bleed, labs usually publish exact sizing guidance, so check their documentation.
For resizing and sharpening, Lightroom is generally sufficient. Most labs provide recommended file specs, and Lightroom can produce them without needing Photoshop in many cases. If the lab has unusual requirements, their FAQ/help pages should define them.
Bottom line: Lightroom is suitable for this part of the workflow; the exact final settings depend on the lab and paper/product you choose.
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