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romebot3000
romebot3000
Known Participant
June 19, 2019
Question

Color Difference: File/Export vs Print Module

  • June 19, 2019
  • 2 replies
  • 553 views

Hello,

I had been using soft proofing when in the develop module and then using the print module (set to the paper size and color profile) to print w/ an online printer. The results were perfect.

But now I'm using the file/export function as I want to export and upload the full image at 100% and then size various outputs w/ the printer. But I don't see a way to export w/ a color profile with the image (which I'm assuming the print module does)**see note below, i found this option. I assumed that it wouldn't matter, as long as it looks good when I soft proof it in LR, it should print like the print module exported one.

But then I thought I would double check things. When I open both files in photoshop -- the new one via file/export and the old one already printed via the print module -- as expected, I get different colors (I'm assuming because one has a color profile and one doesn't). So I went to "proof setup" and selected my printer profile and then select to view "proof colors." When I do this, on the file exported via the print module, there is no change in the way the image looks (so this seems to make sense if the color profile is already included in the file). But when I view proof colors on the one exported via File/Export, the colors look way off from itself, and also different from the one exported via the print module. I guessed that it should look the same.

So now nervous that when i send to print, I won't get the same result. So my questions are:

1. Am I thinking about this all wrong? (what am I doing wrong and what should I be doing?)

2. Can I print the full image at 100% from the print module? (seems I need to pick a paper size and borders, etc.). If so, I guess I could just keep exporting that way.

Thanks for any advice!

R

Message was edited by: Romeo Alaeff actually now I see where i can choose the color space w/ file/export--it wasn't showing up for some reason.. I still need to do some testing, but if any of the above still applies or if any other helpful info can be given.. also for question #2, I'd appreciate it.

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2 replies

cmgap
Community Expert
cmgapCommunity Expert
Community Expert
June 20, 2019

You should test printing at 100% in Lightroom. Not sure there are any advantages to taking images into another application without knowing more about your set up, type of printer, monitor calibration etc. ... If you are sending your output to a lab to print you can request a test or ask them to check your files. A large pro lab will have FAQs and file requirements.

romebot3000
romebot3000Author
Known Participant
June 20, 2019

thanks! can you export a full 100% file from the print module? w/o setting a paper size?

romebot3000
romebot3000Author
Known Participant
June 20, 2019

romebot3000  wrote

thanks! can you export a full 100% file from the print module? w/o setting a paper size?

I don't see how you could use the Print module without setting a paper size. If you don't set a size, Lightroom will keep using the last selected size. You can print-to-file and get a full size image, but it's a hassle. You would have to calculate the resolution needed to keep the original size at the selected paper size. So for example: say your image is 6000 x 4000 pixels. You have selected a paper size of 30 x 20 inch. If you print borderless and use 6000/30 = 200 ppi, then if you print to file you will get a 6000 x 4000 pixels file. You may also need to create a custom paper size to match the image aspect ratio, for example if you cropped the image on one side so it does not fit any standard paper size.

Somehow I think exporting is easier...


i understand. thanks. I guess I will need to simply export w/ the color profile and then size through the print service. cheers.

JohanElzenga
Community Expert
JohanElzengaCommunity Expert
Community Expert
June 19, 2019

When you export an image from Lightroom, you only have a few standard color profiles to choose from. Your printer profile is not one of them. You should be able select the printer profile by choosing 'Other' however.

-- Johan W. Elzenga
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