For high quality prints, export from Lightroom as a full-resolution JPEG at high quality in a color space your print lab asks for, usually sRGB, with print sharpening applied. Always check your lab’s own file guidelines first, since they override any general advice.
Read the Lab’s Requirements
Different labs accept different formats, color spaces and sizes. Many ask for sRGB JPEG files, while some accept Adobe RGB or TIFF. Fine art printers often provide an ICC profile for soft proofing. Use what your lab publishes, and treat the values below as general guidance.
Export Settings Step by Step
- Select the photos and choose Export from the File menu.
- Under Export Location, choose a folder you will find again, and consider a subfolder named for the print job.
- Under File Naming, use a template that keeps names unique and includes the print size if you order several.
- Under File Settings, choose JPEG with the quality slider around 90 to 100, or TIFF if your lab prefers it.
- Set Color Space to sRGB unless the lab requests another.
- Under Image Sizing, leave “Resize to Fit” off if you want full resolution, or set the exact pixel dimensions for the print size.
- Set Resolution to 300 pixels per inch, a common standard for photo prints.
- Under Output Sharpening, choose Sharpen For: Matte Paper or Glossy Paper, and an amount of Standard as a first try.
- Under Metadata, include copyright, and consider removing location data.
- Click Export.
Work Out the Pixels You Need
Multiply the print size in inches by the resolution. A print of 8 by 10 inches at 300 pixels per inch needs 2400 by 3000 pixels. Larger prints viewed from a distance often look good at lower resolution, so ask your lab for its recommended minimum.
| Setting | General value |
|---|---|
| Format | JPEG, or TIFF if asked |
| Quality | 90 to 100 |
| Color space | sRGB unless told otherwise |
| Resolution | 300 pixels per inch |
| Output sharpening | Match paper type, Standard amount |
Check Before You Send
- View a few files at 100 percent for halos or banding.
- Calibrate your monitor, since a screen that is too bright leads to prints that look dark.
- Order a small test print before a large batch.
FAQ
Should I upsize small files?
Only modestly. Lightroom can resample, but heavy enlargement softens detail. Ask whether your lab offers its own upscaling.
Is raw better than JPEG for printing?
Raw is for editing. Labs usually need a finished JPEG or TIFF, so export one from your edited raw file.
The Short Version
Follow your lab’s guidelines first. In general, export a high quality JPEG in sRGB at 300 pixels per inch with output sharpening matched to the paper. Calibrate your screen, and order a small test print when a job matters.
