My Printing Workflow from Start to Finish: How I Do It and Why It Works

Today we’re taking the fear out of printing photos so you can turn your images into something beautiful and physical. We’re gonna break it down to show you each stage of printing including the gear, paper choice, file preparation, cost, calibration and presentation.
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[@ashstubbings2603]

Hi Adam! Hope you're keeping well? I didn't realise the importance of printing until I actually started doing it. Especially when I'm out and about actually taking the photos. You're right, if you know your photo is going to end up being printed, I think you approach the whole process differently somehow. It makes a bit difference. Plus, it's far better actually having that physical print in your hands and thinking "Wow! I did that!"

[@stuartvh4562]

Thanks Adam, a very helpful and perfectly timed video, as I decide which images to send off for printing. Cheers!

[@lphilpot01]

Do you keep a log / record of what adjustments were made for each printed image? If so, is that by manually recording the adjustments or is there some kind of automated (or even a manually initiated) process? I don't use LR and in fact don't even own a printer, but it seems to me it would be necessary to record such compensations for future prints. ...now to just create an image worthy of printing! 😀

[@Ruscombephotos]

Hi Adam, Thanks for this video. Do the same guidelines apply about brightening an image if preparing for a C-type print?

[@Firstmanphotography]

Generally it's not required if you are sending it to a lab because they will make the required adjustments for you. I often make the changes myself though and then tell them so they don't change things further.

[@Ruscombephotos]

@@Firstmanphotography Thanks Adam! I understand the basics of C-Type print, but in addition to adjusting brightness in the file, the lab has the option of pushing or exposing the paper for longer, I guess. I’m not sure if it works in quite the same way as printing from negatives, in that respect. I think I might order a couple of test C-types prints from The Print Space with the same image at different brightnesses and see what happens. C-Types from The Print Space look a lot cheaper than glicee fine-art prints from a print lab I use here in the US. I’m going to call TPS and see if they can turn around a couple of test prints by Friday. If so, I could pick them up in person, as I will be flying over to London tomorrow night.

[@justinkaplan5919]

Where can I find the A2 flatpack boxes?

[@Firstmanphotography]

Just search A2 art box. I use Graphics Direct in the UK.

[@tomfoord8860]

Thanks Adam. Your Raw Room video on framing is great too. Never knew your could just bend those little metal spikes!

[@jimbruton9482]

Another great video Adam. You've already inspired me on the value of printing your images and it does improve one's photography skills. I like to print on semi-gloss (lustre) as well, but I'm curious about your thoughts on some photo labs offering prints on glass or metal prints. Gimmick or a positive option for certain prints?

[@PaulLauter]

Thank you for explaining the printing process in such detail. Very useful

[@claireedwards2667]

Great video Adam 😊 another option is photo books. I did one a few years back from a holiday I had with my parents and gave them a copy as a gift, they loved it. I’ve been hooked on books ever since, as you can just pick them up and admire your work over and over again. My friend creates an annual book of all the photos she’s taken that year, great memories. I also have a great collection of books by other photographers, including yours, which I love🤗 I find them very inspirational. Plus I’ve noticed even though I have images all over my walls, by myself and other photographers, I look at them far less than the time I spend studying a book.

[@machaggis2001]

Brilliant video! Thank you & love the Raw Room

[@RYANPARKPHOTOGRAPHY]

Thanks Adam! I am planning to print more photos this year! (and you explained everything..) Thanks!!

[@Firstmanphotography]

Awesome Ryan. Have fun.

[@victorkulkosky1184]

Do labs print in 16 bit?

[@robertwhitemoto]

Late 2023 I might invest in a great printer (Canon Pro1000 maybe). To date, I've used labs for my personal and sold prints. If I were not across the pond, I might have bought that print from you Adam, it is fantastic!

[@trickwiththenick]

Great video. Don't need to be convinced, I'll be making another step from Epson 805 to one of Canon's A3 printers in couple of months. Question: did you consider making an online course on Photoshop Elements (yes, Elements - sooo undervalued product) on the full process - from opening a RAW file to printing? I miss the proper knowledge here so much. Or even in Lightroom - I could upgrade to Lightroom for that. But no book, no course on Udemy and other platforms tackle printing workflow from A to Z.

[@seanmoore4153]

Hi Adam, I've been printing myself for a couple years now and at first had a huge issue with the magenta cast, let alone the shadow detail. While my monitor is calibrated and an AdobeRGB gamut what I found was the monitor was simply too bright! It was super frustrating to figure it out but once I lowered the brightness things started really lining up. In the BenQ Palette Master calibration I set the brightness to 60 or 65 (cd/m2), I haven't use other monitor calibrations so not sure where set that value other than just dropping the main brightness down. Thanks for the videos and inspiration, you help get me out chair in into the field to take some images.

[@alexandrsakhno]

Thank you very much for the video. Exactly what I was looking for. Very inspiring. I really liked your tips on choosing the type of paper.

[@andymm4175]

Great video mate, thanks. Too many ads though.

[@Firstmanphotography]

KZbin puts them on automatically. That’s why it’s also on the Raw Room ad free and sponsor free.

[@Bushy-73]

YT premium, ad free

[@Firstmanphotography]

@@Bushy-73 It’s not sponsorship free though. The Raw Room version is both. No subscription is required either. Just value for value.

[@andymm4175]

@@Firstmanphotography Fair enough mate 👍

[@bjoernsviewsbjornwolfmulle3295]

I just saw the title of your new video by now. But I am very excited to watch it later this evening. I got myself a Canon Pro 1000 in December last year. I did quite some testing on my own and experimented with papers. I just ended up picking 5 different Hahnemühle papers to maybe get some individual ICC-profiles for them. My first prints are already on the wall. And it is so exciting to have the whole process in my own hands, even cutting the back cover and the mat on my own. Thanks a lot for your content. I am looking forward watching this video. 🙂

[@RalphGoldsmith]

Very informative video Adam. Nice work, thanks for sharing

[@anorak211]

Hey Adam I saw the Strat, all plugged in and ready to be played . . . Go on, pick it up... give us a tune !

[@johnpollock6996]

Great video Adam. I took the dive and bought a printer last year, an Epson that prints up to A3+. It may be the equivalent to your Canon 300. Your introductory statement about taking the fear out of printing really hit home to me. Printing has been an enormously frustrating enterprise. Between papers, profiles, gamuts, screen calibration, room lighting, soft proofing, etc. it has become obvious that color sciences are among the least familiar concepts to us mere mortals. After much waste, I have gotten to the point of getting it almost right on the first print about half of the attempts. Thank you for the pep talk and keep up the good work.

[@jerryhutchinson2543]

Great video!

[@QuicknStraight]

Very interesting, thanks. I suppose the only point to add is about making a good decision on whether an image is technically good enough to warrant printing, particularly if you want to print in a larger size.

[@brownbomber2011]

G'day Adam, as an older person I find your videos to be extremely helpful and enjoy watching and learning from them. Keep up the good work and I look forward to viewing more of your shows.

[@WalkForFreedomOz]

Hi Adam. I really enjoyed this. Very informative and inspiring as usual. 👍

[@Bushy-73]

My paper supplier is Marrutt, they work for me, no problem with printing and they also sell other bits

[@wimscheenen3535]

I like printing more and more, and with your videos I learn tips and tricks that eventually also bring the costs down (a bit)

[@scotty4418]

Nice timing Adam, have a few images from my recent trip to London that I plan to print this weekend as I totally agree about seeing the end of the process in print, there is a sense of fulfilment that can't be replicated from a online digital posting

[@BarryHull]

Adam, I've been watching your channel for many years. I've been inspired to purchase your book and one of your prints. And now, I finally cleaned out a space to start printing, ordering a Canon Pro 1000. I can't wait to get started, but I don't know whether to thank you or curse you. 🙂

[@AnthonyCrouchPhotography]

Love my pro 1000, ink wheww costly but love the prints.

[@bolleolympus]

👌👌👍👍❤❤