A pro’s guide to prepping your digital images to print (and sell!) beautifully
I print many of my digital photos and display them all over my home and office. I highly encourage my photography clients to print their photos as well. However, as a part-time photographer who works full-time in a different profession, my time is limited. Because of this, I have chosen to use an all-inclusive business model where my clients receive digital images.
As a customer, I want to receive a digital package when I hire a photographer, so that’s what I want to offer my clients. Having digital files allows my clients to archive their images and gives them flexibility in printing. However, the all-inclusive business model does have negatives. One challenge is protecting image integrity when the printing process is out of my hands. This is why I’ve invested so much time in learning the best way to optimize digital images for print.
Here’s how I prepare and deliver digital images to clients without compromising my photography in the process.
Optimize your digital images for printing.
With an all-inclusive model, I am sacrificing complete control over print quality. While I can’t size and sharpen each file for the print being ordered, I can take steps to optimize the files for a typical print situation. I love large prints and wall art, but I know that the majority of my client images are printed in smaller sizes on glossy photo paper or used in photo books and albums. How I prepare digital images for my clients to receive:
Image size
I deliver full-resolution files, and my print release allows my clients to print up to any size. If they really wanted to, they could print the files from my Nikon D850 on a billboard. However, downsizing images can also have an effect on the image—though it is usually imperceptible—while increasing the size of the image for print can compromise its quality. Because of this, I tell my clients that I cannot guarantee the quality of their prints larger than 8 x 10 inches if they do not purchase them directly through me. Not even if they order through their ShootProof gallery.
Aspect ratio
Most cameras have a native aspect ratio of 2:3, but prints come in a range of aspect ratios. In my printing guide, I explain how different aspect ratios will affect the final image. One way I safeguard against cropping is by delivering images with an 11:15 aspect ratio. The ratio sits almost exactly between the most common 2:3 and 4:5 ratios. This means that all prints will need to be slightly cropped, but none will need to be significantly cropped. When I shoot, I also like to leave space in the frame to allow for customer cropping as well as the possibility of a wrapped canvas.
Whatever aspect ratio you choose, make sure you’re cropping to a ratio and not a specific print size. Crop to an 11:15 ratio, not 11 x 15-inches or your file sizes will be limited.
Sharpening
I sharpen every photo I print for the specific size and print medium. This is not an option when delivering digital images to clients. This is another reason I do not guarantee prints over 8 x 10 inches if not purchased directly through me. All image exports receive a minimal amount of sharpening, but this is only necessary up to a certain print size.
File type
Files delivered to clients should be in JPEG format. I generally leave my export quality at 12 (Adobe Photoshop) or 100 percent (Adobe Lightroom), but anything over 10 (Photoshop) or 85 percent (Lightroom) is perfectly acceptable to deliver to a client (and the file sizes will be more manageable).
Color space
Fill the space. Most professional labs and all consumer labs utilize the sRGB color space. The files you deliver to a client must be in the sRGB color space. Labs won’t look at the color space embedded in the image, even though many websites won’t let you upload file types other than JPEG and TIFF. This means that if the image is in a color space other than sRGB, which the print labs are calibrated to, the colors of the resulting print will be terribly off.
I edit on a calibrated monitor and have printed at both Miller’s Professional Imaging and Mpix. I know that the print color matches the color on my editing monitor. My print release states that, while color should be acceptable printed anywhere, I am only able to guarantee a color match through my chosen labs. I’ve worked with these labs for several years and know that if, for some reason,n the color isn’t right, I can work with them to make it right for the client.
Consider offering print fulfillment through a gallery platform.
I deliver client galleries and digital images through ShootProof. Through this platform, clients can easily download digital images and order prints from a professional lab. My chosen lab for fulfillment is Miller’s Professional Imaging. Even though my customers can order prints from any location, I always recommend that they do so through their ShootProof gallery so that I can be sure that they will receive high-quality prints. Since my clients have the option to download their digital images and print at a low-cost printer, I price my ShootProof print option using a low-cost, high-volume model. Once the gallery is uploaded, there is little work to do on my end, so I am able to place a much smaller markup on prints. This makes it a great option for clients while creating a little extra cash flow for me at the end of the session. It’s still not ideal, as I’m not able to hand-sharpen each image for the selected size and print medium. But, at least this way I know the images are being printed through a trusted lab and that the quality and color will be top-notch.
Educate your clients on how to print digital images.
Photographers understand that image sharpening is important and that not all images are suited to all aspect ratios. These things are unknown to customers. It’s our job, as photographers — whether we sell prints or use an all-inclusive digital model — to educate our clients on how these elements affect the final images. Clients don’t need a thesis on the how and why, but they deserve a brief education if they are investing their money. They need to know why images printed on matte paper are sharpened differently from images printed on glossy paper, canvas, or wood. Or, why can’t they crop a group photo to a 4:5 aspect ratio without losing Uncle Jim and Aunt Linda off the sides?
When I deliver a client’s digital gallery, I also send a link to my print guide. In this guide, I explain the differences between professional and consumer labs. By educating them on the differences, I hope they will make a good decision with their investment and use my preferred consumer lab, Mpix.
My print guide also walks through some basic information to help clients prepare their digital images for print. I show a visual representation of how different crop ratios affect an image, touch on the importance of sharpening, and briefly cover cropping and photo papers. I also state that no alterations, aside from standard (not creative) cropping,g may be made to the images. This information helps protect my art because if a client is not printing directly through me, I want them to receive the best possible prints they can get.
Pro Tip: outline terms and conditions in your print release.
Not only does my print release grant the client permission to print their images, but it also lays out the fundamental terms of use. For instance, I ensure that clients are aware that I retain copyrights to all images and that their use is restricted to personal use.
Why I recommend Mpix
There are plenty of consumer print labs available with good print quality. But because I have been a Miller’s customer for years — and I trust them completely with my images — I recommend their consumer lab, Mpix, to my clients. Even if my clients don’t order through me, I still want them to receive great prints.
Aside from great prints, Mpix also offers a huge variety of products, which I know appeals to my clients. I order their unique products for my own family as well. My daughters think it’s so cool that they have playing cards with their picture on them! I also make an annual calendar for my family and print it at Mpix.
The Mpix website is also user-friendly. Photos can be imported directly from social media platforms like Facebook or Instagram, from your computer, or from other cloud storage options like Dropbox, Google Drive, or Amazon. Mpix is as easy and convenient as the lower budget print labs — if not easier — and the quality far exceeds those other labs.
The cost of digital images
I currently offer just one all-inclusive package for portrait sessions. I’ve tried a tiered pricing model that included varying amounts of digital images, but I didn’t have the time — or, let’s be honest, the patience — to manage the image selection process. I also hated seeing my favorite photos not selected and left to die on my hard drive. I’d rather my clients have the full gallery of all of the edited digital images. Just remember when pricing your all-inclusive packages to consider all of your costs and the profit you need. You will need to set prices for your digital bundles in line with the fact that selling prints won’t bring in any additional revenue for you. I love the ease of an all-inclusive model for my photography business, and clients love receiving digital images. With this system, I have to be willing to sacrifice a certain amount of control over the final printed product. However, prior to delivering my digital images to the client, I am confident that I have optimized them to the best of my abilities. I place a high value on my work’s honesty. I want to protect my art, my business, and my clients from receiving substandard products. I hope my system of optimizing digital images for print is helpful to you in your photography business.
Just how important is a great print lab?
OK, so you’ve prepared your digital images and provided recommendations. But, there are still going to be clients who choose to print at their local kiosk or one-hour photo stand. “Why oh why,” you scream silently the next time you walk into their house and see that paper envelope or photo book sitting out. Well, some clients just don’t see color and contrast differences as others do. Unless… what if they could see those differences side by side? We’re so glad you asked! Here you go… Click’s print lab showdown compares four budget printers with a pro lab. We can assure you that this should be sent to each client. You might also like these articles on the importance of printing:
- New year, new resolution: Print your photos!
- Four Brilliant Methods for Photographers to Increase Print and Wall Art Sales
- Matte, Lustre, • Glossy or Metallic: What to Choose When