Guide to Professional Photo Printing

Digital photography makes it easier than ever to snap a photo and send it to a friend or client through social media or as a digital file. Many photos remain forever in the digital world without ever being printed on paper. Still, there’s something magical about a photograph that’s been professionally printed. The tactile nature of a print gives photographs greater depth and quality that’s impossible to replicate on a screen.

Whether you’re an experienced photographer or just getting started, you may be new to the professional printing process. Here’s a quick guide on how to print professional photographs to get you started.

Digital Printing Basics

Digital photos are primarily printed using a process that involves translating the pixels of your image onto a physical piece of paper. The two most common forms of digital printing are inkjet and laser. Inkjet printing uses a moving print head to place droplets of ink on the surface of your paper or other media, while laser printing involves exposing your image onto light-sensitive paper.

At Tribeca Printworks, we utilize the inkjet printing process. This method is ideal for a wider range of mediums, like paper, canvas and metal.

Prepping Your Photos for Print

In addition to cosmetic editing, you’ll need to take some steps to prepare your photographs for printing. Some adjustments you may need to make include:

• Color correction: Correct any over- or undersaturated areas of color and make sure you’re using the right color profile for your printer.
• Size and resolution: The higher your resolution, the larger your final print can be. Making a low-res image too large can lead to blurriness or pixelation.
• File type: Most photographs are printed from JPEG or TIFF files. Check with your printer to see if they have a format preference.

For the best results, take your image to a professional printer with extensive knowledge of how to make photo prints. They’ll walk you through these adjustments and ensure your photo comes out great.

Types of Photo Paper

The paper you select for your printed photograph will have a big impact on its appearance and longevity. Different papers have unique characteristics, including weight, texture and finish. There’s no universal way to know which paper is best for your image because it depends on personal preference and the image itself.

At Tribeca Printworks, we offer a range of fine art photo paper for you to choose from, including papers that are smooth, lightly textured, glossy and matte. You can also choose from a variety of weights. If you’re not sure which paper you want, we can sit down together and figure out what will give you your desired results.

Where Do Photographers Order Prints?

You’ll get the best printed photographs by working with a print shop specializing in high-quality fine arts prints. At Tribeca Printworks, we have the tools and experience needed to produce amazing results every time.

Bring your files to our studio in SoHo or upload them to our online print studio from anywhere. We can even create custom frames for your photographs, allowing you to complete your whole project in one place. Schedule a free consultation with our team, and we’ll collaborate to ensure you end up with the best final product possible.