Skip to main content
M
Myphototrail
Inspiring
February 21, 2023
Question

Suddenly all my prints from Lightroom have visible banding...why?

  • February 21, 2023
  • 5 replies
  • 3202 views

Recently I've noticed that whenever I print an image with a smooth visible gradient (light to dark) such as a vignette on a seamless backdrop, I get visible banding.  None of the banding is ever visible on screen, only in prints.  Strangely, I have never had this issue until the past month.  Here is my process for the attached sample jpg that was exported to be printed on 8x5 paper:

 

- Images are edited as TIF files in Photoshop.  The attached image started as:  16 bit, RGB color, 2400x1500px.  The background is a solid grey layer with a vignette  added in Camera Raw within Photoshop.  

- Because I'm typically printing 100+  files at a time, once all my photoshop edits are complete, I then apply some light sharpening in Lightroom which I then sync to all the selected images.  

- I select & export all the images from Lightroom with these settings:  JPEG, sRGB, Quality 100, Resize long edge to 2,400 pixels, resolution 300

- So far, the images look great on screen.  No visible banding.  

- I'm using a local printer for my photos.  He tried printing on a few different types of printers, but the banding was a problem on all of prints.  He had so suggestions on how resolve this issue.  In fact, he had printed almost identical files last year, on same printer without any banding.  I can't see what has changed from my end.

 

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.  As this is affecting all my studio portraits when using seamless backgrounds.  Thank you!

5 replies

N
naomir_9451
Participant
February 22, 2025

Hi, I was wondering did you ever find out what the problem was, having the same issue and it's driving me mad

NB, colourmanagement
Community Expert
NB, colourmanagementCommunity Expert
Community Expert
March 30, 2025

@naomir_9451 IF you mean lines across the print (in line with the movement of the printhead) normally this will be a blocked or partially blocked printhead, sometimes it may come and go

Is Lightroom the only application where you see banding in prints?

OR

Do you mean "contouring" or "posterization" where, say, a fade across a sky prints out like map contours? With steps in colour/tone rather than a smooth gradation? That’s often due to over enthusiastic editing.

 

I hope this helps

neil barstow colourmanagement - adobe forum volunteer,

colourmanagement consultant & co-author of 'getting colour right'

See my free articles on colourmanagement online

Help others by clicking "Correct Answer" if the question is answered.

Found the answer elsewhere? Share it here. "Upvote" is for useful posts

 

C
clancyd18402756
Participant
March 30, 2025
I have the same issue. I have a work around. I will do work on the print
in Lightroom. Then I will print using Epson Print Layout on my P-700. All
the banding is gone and the prints are crisp. It's definitely an interface
problem between Lightroom and the Epson P-700. Furthermore, the problem
didn't exist until a Lightroom upgrade around March 2024.
C
clancyd18402756
Participant
September 24, 2024

I have an Epson P 700. I don't know why mine started streaking with lightroom either. However, if I export the print then open it up and Epson Print Layout and print the picture, they are magnificent high-quality, no streaking. I think it's something to do with the lightroom interface with the Epson printer, and it happened when they did an upgrade.

NB, colourmanagement
Community Expert
NB, colourmanagementCommunity Expert
Community Expert
February 28, 2023

I agree with @c.pfaffenbichler jpg’s lossy compression can really mess up some gradient

ESPECIALLY if the image is cropped OR resized after saving as Jpeg - maybe DFosse is right and this is happening at the printers. I'd try sending them a TIFF instead. Repeated re-compression of jpegs [on each saving] is very damaging.

 

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

    M
    MyphototrailAuthor
    Inspiring
    February 27, 2023

    I'm reposting this as I didn't receive a reply over the past few weeks:

     

    Recently I've noticed that whenever I print an image with a smooth gradient (light to dark) I get visible banding.  This is particularly an issue with headshots against seamless paper where there is light falloff.

    None of the banding is visible on monitor during the editing process.  I have never had this issue until the past month and I'm using the same editing process as I have for years.  Here is my basic editing procedure along with sample jpg that was exported to be printed on 8x5 paper:

     

    - ARW (Sony) files are imported into Lightroom where I custom color balance the images before fine editing individually in Photoshop.

    - Selected mages are edited as TIF files in Photoshop.  The attached sample image started as:  16 bit, RGB color, 2400x1500px.  The background is a solid grey layer with a vignette  added in Camera Raw within Photoshop.  

    - Because I'm typically printing 100+  files at a time, once all my photoshop edits are complete, I then apply some light sharpening in Lightroom which I then sync to all the selected images.  

    - I select & export all the images from Lightroom with these settings:  JPEG, sRGB, Quality 100, Resize long edge to 2,400 pixels, resolution 300

    - So far, the images look great on screen.  No visible banding.  

    - My prints are done professionally.  They tried printing on a few different types of printers, but the banding was a problem on all of prints.  They couldn't why it started happening this year...but suggest it is a compression problem in Lightroom.    Near identical images were printed last year on the same printer with no visible banding...so what would cause it to start? 

     

    Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.  Thank you!

    D
    DS256
    Inspiring
    February 27, 2023

    I am by no means an expert but here are some thoughts:

    • Resolution 300 has no affect unless you have selected an export with dimensions like inches or cm. Yes, I don't know why Adobe doesn't grey out this option when it doesn't apply.
    • I didn't see any vignette in your sample picture.
    • I'm not a PS user, but wonder why you would be going back in Camera Raw in PS after processing in LrC.
    • Your photo's are 2400 pixels on the long side. You didn't mention if the print size requires the JPG to be enlarged.
    • It sounds like you have used this printer with success in the past. They say it's the same printer but the software they use to send the file to the printer may have changed. As a test you may want to try another print vendor. LrC does not use any special compression for JPG and millions, including myself, use Export regularily without incident.
    • Is your print vendor using a colour profile that you could load and view under Soft Proofing
    • Will you print vendor accept a non-compressed TIFF file as test to prove their thoughts it's a LrC compression issue?
    • Have you tried printing directly from LrC on your home printer (which I assume you have) to see if you have the problem there? Have you tried printing an Export image on your home computer?
    • Do you use an Export plug-ins that could be affecting the image?

    Just some of the areas I would explore if it was me

    M
    MyphototrailAuthor
    Inspiring
    February 27, 2023

    Recently I've noticed that whenever I print an image with a smooth gradient (light to dark) I get visible banding.  This is particularly an issue with headshots against seamless paper where there is light falloff.

    None of the banding is ever visible on monitor.  I have never had this issue until the past month and I'm using the same editing process as I have for years.  Here is my basic editing procedure along with sample jpg that was exported to be printed on 8x5 paper:

     

    - ARW (Sony) files are imported into Lightroom where I custom color balance the images before fine editing individually in Photoshop.

    - Selected mages are edited as TIF files in Photoshop.  The attached sample image started as:  16 bit, RGB color, 2400x1500px.  The background is a solid grey layer with a vignette  added in Camera Raw within Photoshop.  

    - Because I'm typically printing 100+  files at a time, once all my photoshop edits are complete, I then apply some light sharpening in Lightroom which I then sync to all the selected images.  

    - I select & export all the images from Lightroom with these settings:  JPEG, sRGB, Quality 100, Resize long edge to 2,400 pixels, resolution 300

    - So far, the images look great on screen.  No visible banding.  

    - My prints are done professionally.  They tried printing on a few different types of printers, but the banding was a problem on all of prints.  They couldn't why it started happening this year...but suggest it is a compression problem in Lightroom.    Near identical images were printed last year on the same printer with no visible banding...so what would cause it to start?

     

    Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.  Thank you!

    Derek Cross
    Community Expert
    Derek CrossCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    February 27, 2023

    Some find adding a little Filter > Noise helps.

      D Fosse
      Community Expert
      D FosseCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      February 27, 2023

      It does, but in fact there already is some noise in the attached example file, so there isn't much more to collect from that. I can't see any reason this file should print with banding. If you ask me, this has to be on the printer's end, perhaps from a new second round of (aggressive) jpeg compression.

       

      Or maybe they just have bad printer drivers.

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