It all starts with a well-edited file
If you work in Photoshop or Lightroom, first save your image as a PSD or TIFF so you retain all layers and editing options. When preparing your file for printing, export it as a JPEG in high quality (in Photoshop preferably quality 9 or 10, in Lightroom 80 or higher). This gives you a compact yet sharp file, ideal for a high-quality print.
Which colour space should you choose?
At Profotonet you can work in sRGB, AdobeRGB or ProPhotoRGB. If you work in sRGB or AdobeRGB, you’re always safe – especially when using standard monitors or exporting from mobile apps. That said, we recommend AdobeRGB if you want to get the most out of your colours. This colour space delivers deeper tones, particularly in nature photography and portraits. Don’t forget to embed the correct colour profile when exporting.
The right dimensions and resolution are essential
Many issues when printing photos arise because the file isn’t prepared in the correct aspect ratio. Always choose dimensions that match the print size you’re ordering. Classic print sizes such as 30×45 or 60×90 cm use a 2:3 ratio. For square photo prints, use a 1:1 ratio, for example 30×30 or 40×40 cm. Panoramas are also possible, but within fixed widths such as 10 cm or 76 cm.
As for resolution: use 320 dpi for prints up to 30×45 cm. For larger formats, such as a 60×90 cm print, 254 dpi is sufficient. This ensures a sharp result without unnecessarily large files.
From Photoshop, quality 9 is more than adequate; if you want to be extra cautious, you can choose 10. Quality settings 11 and 12 add little visible improvement while significantly increasing file size.
In Lightroom the scale works differently: a quality setting of 80 is perfectly fine, though slightly higher is also possible.
Take photo paper formats into account
At Profotonet, photos are printed on fixed paper widths such as 20.3 cm, 30.5 cm, 61 cm, 91.4 cm or even 121.9 cm. By aligning your image to these formats, you avoid unwanted cropping or white borders. For example, if you order a 60×90 cm print, make sure your image is exactly 60 cm wide with the correct height ratio. This guarantees the best result without surprises.
A touch of extra sharpening makes the difference
An image always loses a bit of sharpness during the printing process. That’s why it’s smart to apply a subtle amount of extra sharpening when exporting. Be careful, though: especially with large prints, too much sharpening can cause unwanted patterns or moiré effects. Keep it subtle and always check the image at 100% before exporting.
White border? You’re in control
Some photographers love a white border around their print – particularly for black-and-white or minimalist images. At Profotonet, photos are printed borderless by default. If you prefer a white border, you can add one yourself by placing your image on a white canvas in Photoshop. Alternatively, you can select the white border option when ordering; this will automatically add a border of around 5% on all sides. Keep in mind that with smaller formats, a small part of the image may be lost due to edge exposure.
Printing square photos? Pay attention to these details
Printing a square photo requires a bit of extra care. Make sure your image truly has a 1:1 ratio – equal width and height. Decide on your desired size in advance, for example 30×30 cm, and export your file exactly to those dimensions. At 320 dpi, that means a resolution of 3780 × 3780 pixels. This ensures your print looks sharp and professional.
Ready to print your photo? Discover our full range and easily order the size that best suits your image.