Lightroom export question: New to using lightroom, My question is, if you want to export and print out a 8"x10" (final) photo, what should you set the width and height prior to...

Seagull54

New to using lightroom, My question is, if you want to export and print out a 8"x10" (final) photo, what should you set the width and height prior to exporting?
Thanks in advance for any information.

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

Seagull54 wrote:

New to using lightroom, My question is, if you want to export and print out a 8"x10" (final) photo, what should you set the width and height prior to exporting?
Thanks in advance for any information.

You don't have to export at all. You can print directly from within Lightroom. There is in fact an entire built in print module that allows you significant control over how the final print will look. There are even templates available for different sized photographs and how you want them displayed on the page. Of course if you want to print out a particular image ratio like 8x10, the image needs to be cropped in the Develop module ahead of printing. But even when you do export and print from outside of Lightroom, most printing software allows you to resize the image by selecting the final print size and page placement. I have never had to resize the image itself prior to printing.

LSVFDAC

In my experience, I change the pixel to inches setting before I print. It should give you the option.

Jrhoffman75 Loc: Conway, New Hampshire

You don’t need to export out of Lightroom to print. Use the Print Module.

If you want to export a JPEG to send to someplace for them to print set size to 8x10 and resolution to 300.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

First, the image has to be cropped to an 8x10 aspect ratio. You do this in the Develop module. If the original is not in this aspect, select 4x5 / 8x10 from the cropping drop down list and set the guides and crop your image.

During export you really don't have to do anything other than assure you do not lower the quality of the image. That is, the quality should remain 100. Unless your printer sets a file-size limit, don't to anything in the image sizing.

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

Deleted

Seagull54

Thank you, will try your suggestions!

rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA

CHG_CANON wrote:

First, the image has to be cropped to an 8x10 aspect ratio. You do this in the Develop module. If the original is not in this aspect, select 4x5 / 8x10 from the cropping drop down list and set the guides and crop your image.

That's the part that most people forget, me included.

pithydoug Loc: Catskill Mountains, NY

rgrenaderphoto wrote:

That's the part that most people forget, me included.

Otherwise the print outfit will crop. If your aspect is 3:2 and you print 8x10 they will crop and most likely mess up your photo. I crop in the develop module and export with max settings. Not a fan of the print module.

AzPicLady Loc: Behind the camera!

I sometimes print from LR, but I usually find my pics turn out better when printed directly from Windows! I simply export the image full frame, then handle the sizing in Windows. It's fast and works. That way I don't have to go back into LR each time I want to print nor do I have to fight with the LR print module (there's a lot of things to remember there!).

OK, LR lovers, don't beat up on me. I just don't find it the answer to every prayer!!!!!

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

AzPicLady wrote:

I sometimes print from LR, but I usually find my pics turn out better when printed directly from Windows! I simply export the image full frame, then handle the sizing in Windows. It's fast and works. That way I don't have to go back into LR each time I want to print nor do I have to fight with the LR print module (there's a lot of things to remember there!).

OK, LR lovers, don't beat up on me. I just don't find it the answer to every prayer!!!!!

I think the issue may be lack of familiarity and as a result, discomfort, with the print module. It does have a learning curve. I find it gives me significantly more flexible, configurable and easily repeatable results with truer colors than I could possibly get from printing directly from Windows. I also crop before I use the print module.

Paul Buckhiester Loc: Columbus, GA USA

mwsilvers wrote:

I think the issue may be lack of familiarity and as a result, discomfort, with the print module. It does have a learning curve. I find it gives me significantly more flexible, configurable and easily repeatable results with truer colors than I could possibly get from printing directly from Windows. I also crop before I use the print module.

Paul Buckhiester Loc: Columbus, GA USA

Seagull54 wrote:

New to using lightroom, My question is, if you want to export and print out a 8"x10" (final) photo, what should you set the width and height prior to exporting?
Thanks in advance for any information.

I find that I rarely need to do an export from LR desktop. Instead, I sync my collection with LR Mobile and share collection or individual photos with other folks electronically. For quickie 4x6s I print from my phone or tablet. For serious printing, I print directly from LR Desktop.

jlsphoto Loc: Chcago SubBurbs

AzPicLady wrote:

I sometimes print from LR, but I usually find my pics turn out better when printed directly from Windows! I simply export the image full frame, then handle the sizing in Windows. It's fast and works. That way I don't have to go back into LR each time I want to print nor do I have to fight with the LR print module (there's a lot of things to remember there!).

OK, LR lovers, don't beat up on me. I just don't find it the answer to every prayer!!!!!

Are you doing you your edits in LR and then exporting to windows to size and print? If it works for you then great. For me since I am in LR I size in the develop module and go to the print module to print. I use ICC profiles to print so the print matches my monitor. This is a learning curve like anything in photography but well with it.

AzPicLady Loc: Behind the camera!

jlsphoto wrote:

Are you doing you your edits in LR and then exporting to windows to size and print? If it works for you then great. For me since I am in LR I size in the develop module and go to the print module to print. I use ICC profiles to print so the print matches my monitor. This is a learning curve like anything in photography but well with it.

Yes, I use LR and sometimes ACR. I export all worked images as. full-sized TIFFs. When I want to print something, I simply go to the tiff, tell the printer what size, and print away. It takes about 2 seconds and gives me nice prints that match the screen image. I also export a set of small jpegs for email, Facebook, one of my websites and forums.