Output Sharpening Print Unseen

[Joseph Westrupp]

Can it be reasonably be done to good effect? I'm talking about sharpening an image for a particular output format, then sending it to a printer who in turn prints and sends it to the customer, meaning that you never see it. I guess I'm wondering whether there are any blanket guidelines you can use based on what you're printing on and the size of the image, or is it as variable as the sharpening you do during the post-processing process?

Sans any blanket guidelines, what's the alternative--sending a printer a few different files that have had different levels of sharpening applied, then checking proofs?

 

[KmH]

It can be done to good effect if you have an experience base as a foundation.

If you're new to output sharpening and don't have that experience base, you run the risk of oversharpening and the client receiving a print that is to crunchy.

I take it you don't soft-proof on your computer display before you send image files to your lab?

I have all prints sent to me so I can verify the quality before my customer see's it. The labs I use are top notch, but human factors still apply.

 

[Joseph Westrupp]

It can be done to good effect if you have an experience base as a foundation.

If you're new to output sharpening and don't have that experience base, you run the risk of oversharpening and the client receiving a print that is to crunchy.

I take it you don't soft-proof on your computer display before you send image files to your lab?

I have all prints sent to me so I can verify the quality before my customer see's it. The labs I use are top notch, but human factors still apply.

Thanks for the reply. Is soft-proofing sufficient?

 

[Garbz]

I have all prints sent to me so I can verify the quality before my customer see's it. The labs I use are top notch, but human factors still apply.

Thanks for the reply. Is soft-proofing sufficient?[/QUOTE]

Soft-Proofing is a theoretical simulation of the output.
Hard-Proofs confirm what you see.

Most printing companies offer some kind of hard proofs. Even when ordering strange things like single very large prints they will often offer to send you a 6x4 print on the same paper from the same printer to verify what you see. Ultimately this is also your insurance. Companies can get it wrong. I designed business cards for an interior decorator once and even thought I specified the exact pantone colour they should use they still got it wrong. This showed up in the hard proof they sent me and not in the pile of 500. So it's well worth it if the printing expense is significant.

 

[Joseph Westrupp]

Soft-Proofing is a theoretical simulation of the output.
Hard-Proofs confirm what you see.

Most printing companies offer some kind of hard proofs. Even when ordering strange things like single very large prints they will often offer to send you a 6x4 print on the same paper from the same printer to verify what you see. Ultimately this is also your insurance. Companies can get it wrong. I designed business cards for an interior decorator once and even thought I specified the exact pantone colour they should use they still got it wrong. This showed up in the hard proof they sent me and not in the pile of 500. So it's well worth it if the printing expense is significant.

Good info, man, thanks. It's funny, I haven't printed a single image (first hand at least--others have printed my work), but I've been doing photography for a few years now.