Digital images are go through multiple stages from initial capture in-camera or in software before being printed onto paper or canvas. Each technology interprets and reproduces color in different ways. Current print technology can reproduce more colors that are in the sRGB color space, and 95+% of the AdobeRGB color space. Here are some key steps you can follow to be sure you get excellent print results with your edited images.
1) Choose a high quality computer monitor, and calibrate your monitor before evaluating or editing your digital images for print. This can be done most accurately using monitor calibration tools, such as a Calibrite Profiller or DataColor Spyder.
NOTE: Make sure your monitor is not set too bright. The optimal screen brightness for previewing accurate print results is 80 CDm2 (not the default 120 CDm2), with the temperature D65. Recalibrate your monitor at least once per month.
2) Never edit images in direct light or in a brightly lit room. Avoid very yellow or blue light casts in the room which can alter your visual perception of colors on the screen, and allow your eyes 10 minutes to adjust to the room lighting before editing. Be sure the background of your display (the editing space around your image) is set to a neutral medium gray, versus a bright or dark color.
3) While editing; always work on a copy of your file – never the original. Use soft-proof preview functions to identify areas of your image which may be too bright or saturated to be reproduced accurately when printed. The proof setup (device to simulate) should be Adobe RGB.
4) AFTER editing is complete and you are satisfied with the proofed image, flatten all layers and *convert* – (do not “assign”) – convert the image color space to Adobe RGB. In Adobe Photoshop, this can be found under the menu items: “File/Convert to Profile…”
5) Save your edited file in the JPEG file format (or alternatively TIFF if hand delivering to us), and be sure to check the box that says “Embed color profile: Adobe RGB“. It is important that your color space information be embedded in the file. This is the ‘map’ needed for accurate colors when printing.
* – Do not convert files to CMYK Mode
6) You’re ready to upload or bring your files in to be printed.
Ink and paper/canvas cannot perfectly reproduce all of the millions of colors (or extreme brightness) which electronics are able to capture and display, but following these steps will greatly improve the accuracy of your printed images. Many more tips and detailed tutorials are available on YouTube.com and Adobe.com.