What’s even nicer about Lightroom’s printing templates is the ability to customize them. These work well as an introduction to what you can do to lay out an image– whether you’re looking to print a contact sheet, some 5×7 images, or one basic test print. Lightroom’s print module comes with pre-designed templates for a variety of printing options (all designed for 8.5×11 paper). Step Four: Choosing Templates and Settings As such, this guide is written for Lightroom with the novice printer in mind. Lightroom is the most user-friendly printing option but still maintains the level of control necessary for making high-quality prints. Photoshop does offer more print customization and flexibility in layout, but we’ve found that Lightroom is better for producing multiple prints in succession due largely to its library and preset functionality. Some printing houses and even advanced home printers will use special drivers or RIP software to ensure perfect results between multiple printers. Most photographers are proficient in Photoshop and/or Lightroom, and either is a great choice for printing. There are a few different reputable programs to print, including nearly all of the Adobe Creative Suite. Depending on your experience with printing, you’ll find yourself drawn to one program over another. Here is where the opinions really start coming in. For instance, I’ve found Moab profiles generally easy to use but Hahnemühle profiles difficult to print. Other important factors include the weight of your paper and the ink recommendations, as well as the reputation of the color profiles associated with the paper. Most finished papers are single-sided, so if you want front and back images in your portfolio, that’s an important factor to consider. Whatever paper you choose, make sure you purchase a size and type that is compatible with your printer. We generally discourage photographers from using glossy paper for portfolios due to its tendency to glare, gather fingerprints, and collect dust. Heavyweight matte paper is great for most photo uses, but specific clients may want a pearl, luster, or full gloss finish instead. We use Moab Lasal Matte paper, which is double-sided and can be ordered pre-punched and pre-scored for standard-size screw post binders. Ultimately, my advice is to leave especially large or important prints to professional printing houses who have the tools, expertise, and time to create a perfect print for you. It seems that with larger print size comes an increase in printer trouble – from file buffering to color banding. If you are looking to make even larger prints, take a peek at the P7000 or its older friend the Stylus Pro 7880. The P800 accepts paper up to 17 inches wide, which makes it a perfect size for making test prints or small exhibition prints. We’ve found them perfect for our Print Portfolio Production, as well as for some larger, poster-sized prints. We have two Epson Surecolor P800 printers, which are large format printers designed for a variety of paper types. Everyone has their preferences, and this guide is made to be a baseline on which you can develop your skills and form your own style of printing. I’ll preface by saying that there are many opinions when it comes to printing and equally as many methods for printing as there are printers in the world. But, it can also be intensely satisfying to create an image from an initial concept to the final print. It can be a time-consuming process, and ink and paper don’t come cheap. Not every photographer finds owning and running their own printer worth the cost. I like to say that printing is mostly just putting out fires– as soon as you solve one issue, another is bound to arise. Printing is a process of problem-solving and iteration, from loading the paper into the printer to ensuring the final product is color corrected.
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