OpenTube

My Workflow For REALLY Big Prints?

Sean Bagshaw

46,032 views

I was working on an order for 30x45 and 40x60 prints and thought it might be helpful to give a look at the steps I follow when profiling for optimal colors, brightness and contrast (soft proofing), creating small test prints (hard proofing), enlarging the image and making sure the full-size image is as clean and sharp as possible before uploading it to the print lab.

In the video I soft proof in Lightroom. I also have an older video where I show soft proofing in Photoshop: Build A Photoshop Action For Soft Proofing

Some hard proofing tips: Hard Proofing for Optimal Fine Art Prints

Some basic printing workflow tips: How To Get Great Online Prints

I also mention HD Aluminum Prints in the video. Check them out: https://www.hdaluminumprints.com/

20 Comments

@MichaelShainblum 6 years ago

Awesome video Sean!

@henrique82611 5 years ago

great job! thank you!

@dominey 6 years ago

Would definitely give Preserve Details 2.0 a try instead of Automatic in Resample (Image Size). If you don't see it, go to Preferences > Technology Previews and enable it.

@davidarcherimages 6 years ago

Very cool!

@izakniemann5734 4 years ago

Excellent video - thank you.

@StevenGrant_Photographer 1 year ago

Thank you.

@eoslove2022 5 years ago

Clear and concise,,,delivered at a pace that keeps me engaged. We too use GP Ai and are now aware to be conscious of the "cartoonish look". We sell our 13x19 prints (Canon ProGraf 1000). Soft proofing is done in Canon's PS plugin. We will certainly now be more careful to edit for optimal color, brightness and contrast before a final cleanup at 100%, being watchful for any color fringing, then into PS for compositing to deal with any over-saturated items. BTW, we use the TK7 plugins in addition to LUMENZIA,,,wouldn't be without them!

@cosminstan8842 6 years ago

This video came exactly when I needed the most. I will print large some of my images for an exhibition 60x90 cm. Thank you Sean for this content.

@dennisheckman5916 6 years ago

Perfect timing with this tutorial Sean! I have images to print from a 10 week trip through Canada and Alaska and I have "0" knowledge about how to prepare images for prints. Your skill and ability to articulate your skills is amazing! I always learn so much so thanks and keep up the great work!

@texshooter8247 4 years ago

You output sharpened to the point it looked perfect on screen. I thought output sharpening, especially for large prints, required a degree of over-sharpening (when evaluated on screen) to achieve perfectly sharpened prints.

@weekender5850 6 years ago

This video is what one might call- added value!

@rolfmeier8469 6 years ago

Thank you so much for this excellent video, Sean. This is exactly what I have been looking for. There are so many techniques, hints and recommendations for how to postprocess an image out of a camera or scanner. That's ok for viewing a photograph on a screen, but it's by far not enough in order to achieve good results in printing. By showing your workflow you mention and comment the essential steps in-depth.

@Smi77y1 6 years ago

Pretty incredible amount of content about this stuff you’re offering for free Sean. Thanks for this!!!

@glennhunt3725 6 years ago

Gigapixel is slow but worth it in the end. I use a similar process but there were some great tips here how to get the most from your (large) prints. The next problem is affording the framing for the humungous prints, but leave that to the purchaser of the fine art.

@vettrix 2 years ago

You have covered exactly what I am worried about with Large Prints. I love Topaz and will get that addition. I took notes. You have calmed my nerves by giving me real step by step directions in how to prevent disasters. Thank you so very much!!! I appreciate that a LOT!

@vtaylor4094 6 years ago

Sean great video. I’m working on a really big print order myself. Several 32x48”s, 40x60”s and 1 triptych 48x72”. So your video has come at the perfect time. I really like the idea of blending the upsized PS version with the GI version. I’ve had to go through and fix plenty of blending issues myself. They look great on a 5” screen or even a 28” screen, not so much at 60 inches. Thanks so much for this video, most people would have charged money for a video with premium content like this one.

@californiasounddesign3921 6 years ago

thank you for this detailed info! this will help me so much!

@seansearls7442 5 years ago

Thank you for this! Perfect timing as I have been wrapping my brain around how to properly proof, size and sharpen my images for print. THANK YOU!

@dr_evandrofaria 6 years ago

Excellent! We'll done step by step workflow.

@PBI-DevFW 4 years ago

Fantastic tutorial. Well done. Will be using your process to print my first 30x60. I've sat on this for a year (after completing my image way back then) because I wasn't confident it would print correctly. Now I feel good about my chances and the $600 or so I'm going to spend to have it produced on metal. Much appreciated.