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Augusto24716166az1l
Participating Frequently
July 12, 2022
Question

Can you switch from 16 bit to 8 bit without losing quality?

  • July 12, 2022
  • 4 replies
  • 5889 views

Hello,

 

I'm working on a project and I'm hoping to achieve the best results possible when printing. Following various guidelines I found online I started scanning at 16 bit per channel to get a higher color grading, however it is most likely I would only be able to print in 8 bit per channel.


If I open a 16 bit file in photoshop and change it 8 bit to match the printer would I loose any quality? I can't see the difference myself but I wonder if that's the case.

 

if I have files at 16 bit should I re-scan them accordingly or can I just change it in Photoshop without worrying about quality loss?

 

Thank you!

    This topic has been closed for replies.

    4 replies

    NB, colourmanagement
    Community Expert
    NB, colourmanagementCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    November 15, 2022

    It's fine to print 8-bit files,

    Where a 16-bit per channel file has a significant advantage is in it's ability to be edited without losing the ability to define gradations. 

    [Use a Tiff or PSD, avoid Jpeg here due to compression]

    Once editing is done I'd archive the 16-bit Tiff or PSD layered file and save out a copy,  then flatten for print. 

    Be sure to resize correctly for printed size, and then sharpen. Sharpening is size dependent. 

     

    I hope this helps
    neil barstow, colourmanagement net :: adobe forum volunteer:: co-author: 'getting colour right'
    google me "neil barstow colourmanagement" for lots of free articles on colour management

      A
      Augusto24716166az1lAuthor
      Participating Frequently
      December 7, 2022

      This is great advise! Thank you. I only just learned that sharpening is size dependant.

      TheDigitalDog
      TheDigitalDog
      Inspiring
      December 7, 2022

      Not only is it fine to send 8-bits per color to a printer, but a few printers that actually accept 16-bit data in the print path (a few Epson's with the option in the driver) also have over the years been rather buggy and produce butt-ugly output unless the check box is off. 

      No need for it to be on, good ones not to be on. 

      The check box in Photoshop seen earlier doesn't ensure 16-bits will be used; it is a function after this of the print driver. 

      Author “Color Management for Photographers" & "Photoshop CC Color Management/pluralsight"
        T
        Test Screen Name
        Legend
        July 13, 2022

        Also, it may not be obvious or easy to explain, but there can be strong reasons to scan at 16 bit and do all your corrections at 16 bit even if the final result is 8 bit. You keep more accuracy as you change and enhance the picture, reducing the chance of "banding", and save 16 bit for future use. Only then convert to an 8 bit version if you need to, keeping both.

          A
          Augusto24716166az1lAuthor
          Participating Frequently
          July 21, 2022

          Thank you everyone for the advise. I'm halway through the project scanning in 48bit and all going well!

          Dan Greyhound
          Dan Greyhound
          Inspiring
          November 15, 2022

          Although it may say it's 48-bit it might not be. Our scanner (Silverlight) has one place to select from 1 bit up to 48 bit (output) and somewhere else to select 8 bit or 16 bit (display). The latter is the one that actually seems to make a difference!

          Conrad_C
          Community Expert
          Conrad_CCommunity Expert
          Community Expert
          July 13, 2022

          If you have a 16bpc file and you’re sending it out to be printed, you follow the file specifications the printing service requires. So if they require an 8bpc JPEG file, you convert it to that.

           

          If you’re printing directly, you don’t have to convert the file for printing, because Photoshop can do it on the fly for you. If the printer driver is one of the few that can receive 16bpc files directly, then in the Print dialog box in Photoshop, the Send 16-Bit Data option will be available and you can select it. However, you should know that many printing experts say it’s hard to see if Send 16-Bit Data makes any visible difference, maybe in part because of the limited dynamic range of print. So I leave it disabled.

           

           

          If the printer driver can’t handle 16 bits per channel files directly, or if the file is not 16bpc, then the Send 16-Bit Data option will be disabled, and the file will always be sent at 8bpc.

           

          Selecting Send 16-Bit Data sends more data, so it may take longer to print, and may require more free storage space for the temporary spool file.

            G
            go88275707773lva
            Participant
            December 14, 2022

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            davescm
            Community Expert
            davescmCommunity Expert
            Community Expert
            July 12, 2022

            Keep the 16 bit master file in case you need to carry out further editing.

            However for printing, most print drivers will use 8 bit and a few use a full 16 bit driver. The reality is though that you are unlikely to see a visible difference on paper using either driver.

             

            Dave

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