Skip to main content
J
jdaadeb
Participant
June 1, 2017
Answered

Edited using "always optimize for printing" but now want online lab

  • June 1, 2017
  • 2 replies
  • 468 views

I just bought Elements 15.  Before editing any photos I went under Color Settings and clicked "Always Optimize for Printing" as I planned on printing them on my printer at home.  I'm not getting prints that I like (not really bad but just enough difference that I don't like them).  I've worked two days, and used lots of ink, on trying to get the prints to match my laptop screen.  Since I'm not willing to spend money on a calibration system I've decided to just use an online lab.  My question is do I now need to bring those photos back into PSE15 and use the "always optimize colors for computer screens".  Half of the photos were taken in RAW and half were taken in JPEG.  Since I've already done my editing in PSE and saved each photo as a psd what is the easiest way to proceed?

    This topic has been closed for replies.
    Correct answer MichelBParis

    jdaadeb  wrote

    I just bought Elements 15.  Before editing any photos I went under Color Settings and clicked "Always Optimize for Printing" as I planned on printing them on my printer at home.  I'm not getting prints that I like (not really bad but just enough difference that I don't like them).  I've worked two days, and used lots of ink, on trying to get the prints to match my laptop screen.  Since I'm not willing to spend money on a calibration system I've decided to just use an online lab.

    The real problem is that your laptop screen is not calibrated by hardware. You are editing based on incorrect display, so using an online lab won't help, whatever option you choose, 'for printing' or for 'computer screen'.

    If you want to try an online lab, it's important to know if they recognize not only the sRGB color mode (they all do), but also the aRBG (Adobe RGB) mode.

    You are shooting half in jpeg and half in raw.

    - The option 'for print' is for aRGB, for 'computer screen for sRGB.

    Your jpegs are in the mode selected on your camera, generally sRGB. Your setting on Elements will be used even if you select the other one, because Elements will use the mode tagged with your jpeg. It will only select the other if the tag is missing.

    Your raw files have no color mode: in Elements the conversion process in ACR looks at your setting (print or screen) and convert accordingly. As a result, all your edited raws are aRGB while your jpegs are as set by your camera, probably sRGB.

    You should really consider an hardware calibration like my Spyder express. Otherwise, the best (or least detrimental) option is to try to find a option to set your display as close as possible to sRGB and to follow an sRGB only process ('for screens'). I have found that I get better results with aRGB with my all-in-one HP 6 inks printer provided my display is calibrated.

    You could send a test batch of both raw and jpegs you have edited to see the outcome.

    2 replies

    J
    jdaadebAuthor
    Participant
    June 2, 2017

    So you're saying that my JPEGS taken on a cell phone will be whatever mode it was taken in the phone and that PSE will not change it no matter what color setting I have chosen?  So then all the JPEGS that I want to send to the lab are good to go as it?

    And then the RAW photos will be aRGB and so if I make sure the lab recognizes aRBG then they are good to go too?

    BTW what's the difference between profile Adobe RBG and Adobe RBG 1998?  Should I always pick Adobe RBG?

    MichelBParis
    MichelBParis
    Legend
    June 2, 2017

    First check the color mode of your files by looking at the left lower part of your display:

    Click on the > sign to open a drop-down menu and choose to show color profile.

    It will be displayed as shown here.

    When you use the menu Edit >> color settings, you get the follow dialog:

    That explains why for jpegs taken with sRGB mode, the above 'for Printing' preference is ignored.

    jdaadeb  wrote

    So you're saying that my JPEGS taken on a cell phone will be whatever mode it was taken in the phone and that PSE will not change it no matter what color setting I have chosen?  So then all the JPEGS that I want to send to the lab are good to go as it?

    And then the RAW photos will be aRGB and so if I make sure the lab recognizes aRBG then they are good to go too?

    Yes for both.

    BTW what's the difference between profile Adobe RBG and Adobe RBG 1998?  Should I always pick Adobe RBG?

    No difference at all...

    Two notes:

    - you would gain nothing to convert sRGB to aRGB

    - With raw files you can edit or reedit in any of both choices by changing your preferences before saving.

    MichelBParis
    MichelBParisCorrect answer
    Legend
    June 1, 2017

    jdaadeb  wrote

    I just bought Elements 15.  Before editing any photos I went under Color Settings and clicked "Always Optimize for Printing" as I planned on printing them on my printer at home.  I'm not getting prints that I like (not really bad but just enough difference that I don't like them).  I've worked two days, and used lots of ink, on trying to get the prints to match my laptop screen.  Since I'm not willing to spend money on a calibration system I've decided to just use an online lab.

    The real problem is that your laptop screen is not calibrated by hardware. You are editing based on incorrect display, so using an online lab won't help, whatever option you choose, 'for printing' or for 'computer screen'.

    If you want to try an online lab, it's important to know if they recognize not only the sRGB color mode (they all do), but also the aRBG (Adobe RGB) mode.

    You are shooting half in jpeg and half in raw.

    - The option 'for print' is for aRGB, for 'computer screen for sRGB.

    Your jpegs are in the mode selected on your camera, generally sRGB. Your setting on Elements will be used even if you select the other one, because Elements will use the mode tagged with your jpeg. It will only select the other if the tag is missing.

    Your raw files have no color mode: in Elements the conversion process in ACR looks at your setting (print or screen) and convert accordingly. As a result, all your edited raws are aRGB while your jpegs are as set by your camera, probably sRGB.

    You should really consider an hardware calibration like my Spyder express. Otherwise, the best (or least detrimental) option is to try to find a option to set your display as close as possible to sRGB and to follow an sRGB only process ('for screens'). I have found that I get better results with aRGB with my all-in-one HP 6 inks printer provided my display is calibrated.

    You could send a test batch of both raw and jpegs you have edited to see the outcome.

    Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement
    Using the community Terms of use Privacy Cookie preferences Do not sell or share my personal information ad choicesAdChoices