We understand how time-consuming the technical side of things can be, especially when it comes to preparing your images for printing. That’s why we’ve gathered a collection of useful links and information to address some of our most frequently asked questions. We hope this guide helps to clear things up and makes your workflow a little smoother!
Feel free to reach out if you have any questions or need further assistance.
Screen Calibration
To achieve better colour consistency between your monitor and your printed albums, we highly recommend calibrating your screen. Calibration ensures accurate colour representation, so your printed albums look exactly as you expect.
We recommend using industry-standard devices such as SpyderX or Calibrite ColorChecker Display Pro for the best results. Here are a few links that can help guide you through the calibration process:
We also offer a free test print service that allows you to see how your images will look when printed. We encourage you to take advantage of this service before placing a full order.
Colour Profiles
We ask for images and spreads to be submitted in the sRGB colour profile. While AdobeRGB can display a wider range of colours, sRGB is best suited for ensuring consistent results across digital and printed formats. Learn more about the differences between sRGB and AdobeRGB here:
JPEG Compression
JPEG compression can impact image quality, especially if an image is saved repeatedly during editing. For album production, we recommend saving your final images as high-quality JPEGs. When exporting from Lightroom, use a quality setting of around 80 to balance file size and image quality. For Photoshop, saving JPEGs with a quality level of 10 will ensure minimal compression artefacts while keeping the image suitable for printing. If you avoid resaving JPEGs multiple times, the quality will be perfect for creating beautiful prints.
For more information on JPEG compression and how to avoid quality issues, refer to the guide below:
Crosshatching Patterns
Crosshatching can sometimes appear in printed images and is often caused by added sharpening during post-production or by excessive compression. To minimise the risk of crosshatching, consider reducing the amount of sharpening applied, especially if the image is intended for print.
The Moiré Effect
The moiré effect commonly appears in photographs of detailed patterns, such as suits, showing as unwanted coloured lines or repeating patterns. This effect can be more noticeable once printed, especially when the image has been scaled down. Here is a useful guide on what causes the moiré effect and how to minimise it:
Chromatic Aberration / Fringing
Chromatic aberration, also known as fringing, often appears as coloured edges along high-contrast areas in images. This effect can detract from print quality. To learn more about chromatic aberration and how to avoid or remove it, check out the following guide:
PPI vs DPI
We ask that your spreads are sent to us at 300 ppi and logos at 600 ppi to ensure optimal print quality. In some situations, lower ppi files may be acceptable—please discuss your specific needs with us before placing your order. Many photographers ask about the difference between PPI (Pixels Per Inch) and DPI (Dots Per Inch). Understanding this difference is key to ensuring the best possible image quality and correct print sizes.
Additional Tips to Help You Succeed
Here are a few more technical tips and common issues photographers face, along with advice to make your workflow smoother:
1. File Naming for Print
To avoid any issues when submitting your files, ensure that your filenames are concise and use simple characters (letters, numbers, underscores). Special characters like #, &, or / can sometimes cause file processing errors. For more detailed guidance, please refer to our How should I name my files?.
2. Using Test Prints
Consider ordering test prints if you haven’t done so already. This allows you to verify the colours, brightness, and contrast of your images before proceeding with larger album orders.
3. Monitor Brightness
Often, monitors are set brighter than ideal for editing images intended for print. Reducing your monitor brightness can help ensure that your prints don’t come out darker than expected.
Questions? We’re Here to Help!
We’re always here to help answer any questions or resolve technical issues that may arise. If you’re unsure about any of the points covered here, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us!