Soft proofing in Lightroom is a critical element in the digital workflow of photographers. It provides a means of simulating how an image looks when printed on different mediums and using various printing processes. This process allows for adjustments and refinements to be made before committing to a print.
For optimum results, a monitor must be calibrated first. This helps ensure colors accurately represent those seen in print form. After calibration, Lightroom can then be used for soft proofing images.
This blog post aims to demonstrate how soft-proofing can be successfully performed in Lightroom.
Why should you soft-proof in Lightroom?
Soft proofing in Lightroom simulates how a photo will appear on different output devices, such as printers or screens. It is important because the appearance of a photo can vary greatly depending on the device it is viewed or printed on.
For example, a vibrant and colorful photo on a computer screen may appear dull and muted when printed. By soft proofing, you can make adjustments to ensure that the colors in the printed photo match what you see on your screen.
It is especially important for professional photographers or those printing photos for exhibitions or publications, as it allows them to ensure that their work is accurately represented on different output devices.
You must already have the required ICC profile of the papers you plan to use for soft proofing in Lightroom. Having the correct ICC profile will ensure that your colors are accurate and that you can see the true colors of the paper.
Now, let’s explore how to soft-proof in Lightroom.
1: Open the photo you want to soft-proof in Lightroom.
2: Go to the Develop module, and under the image will be a bar with a box called “Soft Proofing.”
3: Click on the “Soft Proofing” box on the bar, then select an ICC profile from the “Profile” dropdown menu in the development module.
Lightroom will suggest you use a “soft proof copy” instead of the original images to avoid affecting the original image.
4: Once you’ve selected a paper profile, Lightroom will automatically adjust the photo to simulate how it will appear on the selected paper. You can toggle the soft proofing on and off by checking or unchecking the “Soft Proofing” checkbox.
For maximum accuracy, it is recommended to use a side-by-side comparison with the original image. This can help identify discrepancies between the changes made and any inaccuracies in the process.
5: Make necessary adjustments to ensure the photo appears as intended. You may need to adjust the exposure, contrast, or color to compensate for differences between the original image and its appearance in soft proofing mode.
6: Select the print module and adjust the settings to match your soft-proofed image when printing the photo. If sending your image to a printing service, you can first export it as a soft-proofed image. This allows you to see how the image will look when it is printed and ensure it meets your standards.
Note: Soft proofing Gamut warnings
A few different types of gamut warnings can show up when soft proofing in Lightroom. This happens when trying to soft-proof images that use a vast gamut color space in a smaller gamut space like sRGB. While this may sound bad, it’s not a big deal and can be easily corrected.
Here are ways to fix them:
- Adjust the offending colors’ hue, saturation, and luminance to a color that can be reproduced within the printer’s gamut.
- If you’re consistently getting gamut warnings with a particular printer or paper type, consider switching to a different paper option with a wider gamut.
Before starting to print, knowing your printer’s and paper type’s gamut limitations is essential. This can help you avoid gamut warnings from the outset.
Note: The exported soft proof image will have the used ICC profile as part of its file name.
Conclusion
Soft proofing in Lightroom is a great way to ensure your images look their best when printed. Simulating the printing process ensures that your colors are accurate and that your prints will be defect-free. If you found this article helpful, like, share, and subscribe.
