Most people printing their images, whether it be a painting reproduction, photograph or even digital art want to get the most out of their print. They want it to reflect everything about the original image or how they envision the scene should look as accurately as possible. In this updated post that I originally wrote some time back, I wanted to highlight a few things in greater detail since proofing is a popular topic.
To begin, I recall some of the first attempts at printing some illustrations I had done. After those first attempts, I discovered my images were not always quite like what I saw on my screen. Granted the actual prints were just laser prints I had printed at the local office supply store so obviously there were some limitations to the color gamut in print, but after that, there was a little apprehension about how any prints would turn out.
When preparing your artwork for print, you might find yourself wondering: Will my image appear crisp and sharp? Will the colors match the original or come as close as possible? Will the printed piece have the impact and emotional appeal I’m aiming for, especially at the chosen size? These are common and valid concerns and ones we hear regularly from our customers.
So, how can you address these concerns? At FinerWorks, we’ve noticed three key strategies artists and photographers use: creating an artist’s proof, producing a contact sheet, and utilizing soft proofing.
A Hardcopy Artist’s Proof
The artist’s proof is arguably the most common method for ensuring a print turns out as expected. However, some might view it as a bit of a gamble since you are essentially printing a hard copy from a digital file without knowing exactly how it will look, hoping for the best. I often refer to this as printing by trial and error.
An artist’s proof serves as a test print to evaluate how colors appear and whether the image retains the desired details. In the past, adjustments were typically discussed with the printmaker or photo lab. Today, however, many artists and photographers handle these adjustments themselves using their preferred image editing software. This might involve altering brightness levels, tweaking colors, adjusting cropping, or making other changes to achieve the ideal print.
For limited edition runs, the artist’s proof becomes the standard by which all subsequent prints in the series are measured. If the artist chooses to sell the proof, it’s often priced higher than the rest of the edition—typically 10% to 20% more.
There are a few important things to keep in mind with this method. Don’t expect identical results across different paper types or printers. Even with the same file, subtle variations can occur due to factors like paper texture and printer model. To minimize inconsistencies, always proof using the same paper and printer model you plan to use for the final prints.
Here’s a tip: consider creating a preliminary “home proof” using your own inkjet photo printer. Use matte photo paper and print as large as your printer allows. This gives you a valuable perspective, allowing you to spot any major issues that might need adjustment. Refine your image file and reprint as needed until you’re satisfied.
Once you’ve nailed down a version you’re happy with, submit your adjusted file to FinerWorks for your final print. While it’s not a foolproof method—some slight differences may still appear between your home proof and the final print—many artists and photographers find this process works well for them.
Contact Sheets
Contact sheets are another effective hardcopy proofing method. A contact sheet consists of multiple images arranged in rows and columns, typically as thumbnails smaller than the original size. While there’s no set size for these thumbnails, we often see artists and photographers create them anywhere from 2×3 inches to 8×10 inches. Contact sheets are primarily used to get a general idea of how colors will appear on a particular paper or canvas.
This method is particularly useful if you have multiple images to proof but want to avoid the expense of printing each one at full size. A key advantage of contact sheets is their ability to reveal if your digital images are overly bright or overly dark.
However, there are some drawbacks to consider. Because thumbnails compress details and colors into a smaller space, they may not accurately reflect minor details in your images. For example, subtle gradients (like a sky transitioning from light to dark blue) might not display their full range of tones. Similarly, smaller elements in your image could become difficult to discern, especially if your thumbnails are very small.
Another limitation is that contact sheets won’t help you evaluate how crisp and sharp your original image is since the thumbnails are significantly reduced in size. If you are not certain how your images are high enough in resolution, you can also create a contact sheet with cropped sections of your images. Instead of scaling down the entire image, crop out a small area—for instance, a 2×2 inch section from an image intended to be printed at 8×10 inches—and print that as a thumbnail. This approach allows you to evaluate key details and ensure the final print meets your expectations.
Soft Proofing
Soft proofing is one of the best methods for ensuring your prints turn out as expected, especially if you regularly print different images but want to avoid the cost of producing a physical proof for each one. Printing at home or through a professional lab can get expensive, which is why soft proofing is a practical alternative.
Soft proofing involves simulating three key factors that influence print output: paper color, inks, and the printer. This is done within a software environment on a calibrated monitor. Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom are two of the most widely used programs for soft proofing. When done correctly (and it’s important to emphasize correctly), soft proofing can provide an accurate representation of how your image will appear in print. It also gives you the ability to fine-tune tones, colors, and other details before sending your file to print.
That said, soft proofing requires an investment in both software and hardware to ensure your screen is properly calibrated. There’s no room for cutting corners since successful soft proofing depends on having a calibrated monitor (using a calibration device), the right software (such as Photoshop or Lightroom), and a media profile. If any of these elements are missing, the process won’t produce accurate results and may be pointless. However, when all these components come together, soft proofing becomes an excellent choice for artists and photographers who are serious about selling and distributing their work.
As a sort of disclaimer, I should bring your attention that even with all elements fully in place, soft proofing might not always be 100% accurate. While it can provide a highly reliable preview of how your print will look, several factors can still affect the outcome:
Limitations of Monitors: Even a calibrated monitor can only simulate colors within its own gamut, which may not match the full range of colors that a printer can reproduce.
Environmental Factors: Ambient lighting and glare in your workspace can influence how colors appear on your screen versus in print.
Printer and Media Variability: Subtle variations in printers (even if the exact same model), and inconsistencies in the paper manufacturing can cause differences between the soft proof and the final print. Even if you use the correct media profile, small variations can occur.
User Calibration: If the calibration process wasn’t performed correctly or regularly updated, the screen’s color accuracy may drift over time, impacting the reliability of the soft proof.
Soft proofing is still a highly effective tool for minimizing surprises and reducing trial-and-error costs. However, for critical projects or when exact accuracy is essential, many artists and photographers also create a small printed proof as a final check before committing to a larger print run.
If you want to learn more about soft proofing, there are many great tutorials available online. We recommend searching Google or YouTube for step-by-step guides to get started.
Hopefully, this will give you some ideas on how to proceed if you are just getting started with printing your work professionally. Even if you have been printing at FinerWorks for some time but feel you should be able to get a little more out of your prints consider one of the above methods to help.
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