Jpeg and tif Files for printing

Often photographers are confused by how they should submit their image file to a lab for RGB type printing. Should they format in jpeg or tif?
A critical factor in getting a good quality print made is through using an image created in a tif format (and resist converting it to a jpeg file). A jpeg file is inferior for output. Many consumer labs will ask you to send them jpeg files for enlargements in order to download your image quicker thru a web connection (email) in addition to being able to print your image quicker.  This will amount to a quick and dirty job.

 On the other hand if you are looking for quality similar to a traditional custom print, then choose a tif format file printed on a higher end photographic printer like an OCE Lightjet printer.  There will be a noticeable difference in visual impact when printing from an original tif file.

One important note: An image captured on jpeg and then transferred to tif after the fact has not been enhanced. You are still left with an inferior image due to the jpeg capture.

Alternatively avoid transferring a tif to a jpeg file. A 20mb tif file when compressed down to 1mb jpeg, will have removed 19 million pixels and replaced them with 19 million ‘fake pixels’ (even when your pixel count remains 20mbs).  When the resulting jpeg file is enlarged, you will notice that details have been altered, perhaps a smooth blue sky or skin will now have patchy spots with added rainbow colored pixels and your image will lost sharpness. Note that it is generally not even reasonable to try to rescan a jpeg quality print whereas it is not a problem with a higher quality print created from a tif file.

Tricks of the trade.
George P.L. Jang (Photo Digital Expert)

Tips on ICC Profile

I am finding that there is frequently confusion regarding ICC profiles and how they apply to one’s image. The procedure relates to Adobe Photoshop’s  Assigning profiles vs Converting profiles. 

When you assign an ICC profile to your image to do color corrections and other adjustments, you will be able produce WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get), whereas by using the quick and dirty method: converting to a profile, you will not achieve WYSIWYG as well as actually picking up unwanted colors and then finally missing colors when you make a hard copy print. 

Tip: Do not confuse Color Space profiles such as  sRGB IEC61966-2.1, Adobe RGB (1998), ColorMatch RGB as a working ICC profile, they are actually for monitor viewing for specific applications (web design, RGB printing, CMYK prepress, etc…….).   ICC profiles will actually display the   correct colors at the final print stage for specific products and paper surfaces.  

George P.L. Jang (digital manager: The Lab-Professional Digital Image Works)

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We are a digital imaging and film services photolab serving the communications industry and a broad range of business professionals located in Vancouver, BC, Canada. Our typical customers include: photographers, artists, graphic designers and marketing and advertising professionals who require high quality custom imaging.