Help with Save As JPEG XL settings

[Doc_Pit]

Hope to get some guidance on JPEG XL Save As options.  I want to save a large image (15000x15600) as a jpeg for printing.  (I was surprised to find that some professional labs, like Bay Photo, include jpegs in their list of preferred file types.)  Two questions: 

(1) I want maximum quality.  In the Photoshop Save As dialogue box, under Color Compression, I can choose Lossless or Lossy.  If I choose Lossy, I can set the Quality slider to 100 (Maximum, large file).  My sense is that Lossless is the better choice to maximize quality.  With Lossless, I have no Quality settings.  Does that indicate that Lossless automatically maximizes quality? 

(2) If my purpose is not to re edit the file but rather to send the file to a lab for printing, my sense is that I do not need to include metadata.  Is that correct?

[D Fosse · Accepted solution]

Are you sure they will accept jpeg XL? It's not the same as jpeg. What are the other formats they accept? 

Lossless is lossless. All the original data are preserved. With lossy compression, there is no such thing as "maximum quality". There will always be some degradation, even at the highest setting. It's inherent in how lossy compression algorithms work.

So if you want no degradation, pick lossless.

Personally, I stick to TIFF whenever quality is critical. That's accepted everywhere and always safe. If quality is less critical, standard jpeg at compression level 8 or 9 will do fine. 

[Doc_Pit]

Thank you.  I did not even know that jpeg XL existed until I finished the .psb file for this image and started to look at my other format options.  Very much appreciate the clarification and advice.

[jazz-y]

Photo printing software often has built-in decoders and a list of compatible formats. It is better to adhere to the recommended requirements - you are unlikely to be refused printing if you send a file in a non-standard format, but you should understand that it will still be converted in a compatible format (without your participation and control).

A single save in jpg, especially with such a large image size, will not have any noticeable change in image quality. This format is a problem only with multiple saves and aggressive compression values.

If you are not sure that your file contains only a standard set of metadata, it is better to clear it. I have encountered situations several times when huge blocks of metadata (in particular, the infamous DocumentAncestors) led to errors in the operation of printing equipment.

[NB, colourmanagement]

@Doc_Pit I agree with @D Fosse 

A few notes on Jpeg to help you understand why:
Jpeg files have compression applied, changing resolution or cropping and re-saving enhances the compression artifacts - this means that Jpeg is only really suitable for final file delivery/transfer - with the Jpeg created only once size and resolution (and any sharpening) have been completed. 
 
So, Jpeg is far from ideal for editing and not OK for archiving or for any file that may need to be resaved, resized or cropped down the line.
 
Jpeg is the worst possible format if you want to keep high quality - you should always archive a copy of your original, ideally with any adjustment layers intact - if you work with layers.
Jpeg compression (at any setting*) really is "lossy”, irreversible, and cumulative, so Jpegs should ONLY be used only for final delivery and only created from the original file format AFTER resizing & cropping to the FINAL size and crop.
To explain: any edits to size or crop, or even just re-saving a Jpeg file means further compression, potentially that’s very damaging.
The JPEG compression damage is not always immediately apparent, which is perhaps why it's still widely used - however, that compression will soon cause issues if you do further work and save again. That’s when you’ll see a Jpeg with some real issues.
 
*don’t imagine that selecting maximum quality for your Jpeg is preserving the original data, it’s still compressing a lot which discards information.
SO, don’t reuse Jpegs if any resizing or resaving is needed. Always go back to the PSD/ Tiff originals, Jpegs are essentially a 'use once and trash' file type.
 
I hope this helps

neil barstow colourmanagement - adobe forum volunteer, colourmanagement

consultant & co-author of 'getting colour right'

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