Colour in print
Soft Proofing Fine Art Prints and Colour Management
Colour management connects the file, display, printer, ink and paper through profiles and measurements. It helps make the translation predictable, but paper is a reflective material viewed under changing light. An exact match to every screen is not a realistic goal.
Profiles
What an ICC profile describes
A source profile tells software what the RGB numbers mean; a display profile describes the monitor; an output profile describes a particular printer, ink and medium. Lumière Print uses X-Rite i1Publish Pro 3 for measurement and profiling — a paper change is an output-condition change, not just a swap of sheets.
Brightness
Why the print may look darker
A monitor can be set very bright, making midtones seem lighter than they will appear on paper. Room light, glare and the paper’s white point also affect judgment. Compare prints in stable, suitable light.
Do not compensate by brightening the file blindly. First check display brightness, the embedded profile, the selected paper and the viewing environment.
Step by step
Soft proofing in a colour-managed editor
A soft proof is a prediction constrained by the monitor profile and viewing light. It does not replace a physical print for final approval. No downloadable Lumière profiles are advertised — request the appropriate workflow before relying on a generic profile.
01
Display & file
Use a reasonably calibrated display and an RGB file with its correct embedded profile.
02
Ask for the profile
Ask which ICC profile corresponds to the actual printer, ink and paper.
03
Proof Setup
In Photoshop, View → Proof Setup → Custom; select that output profile.
04
Intent & simulation
Compare rendering intents, use black point compensation and inspect paper-colour/black-ink simulation.
05
Toggle & inspect
Toggle View → Proof Colors; examine highlights, saturated colours and shadow separation.
Monochrome
Black-and-white is still a colour decision
Neutrality, paper warmth and separation between deep shadow tones all affect a monochrome image. A warm paper white can make a nominally neutral file feel different from the same file on bright white. Evaluate the print in the light where it will be displayed, especially when a series must read consistently.
Start a print
Set an expectation before a critical job
If a brand colour, artwork original or edition master is especially sensitive, share a reference and discuss a physical test on the final material. When colour tolerance matters, agree how it will be judged: source file, output profile, viewing illuminant, substrate and a physical proof.
Keep reading
Preparing files
Pixels, formats, profiles and a checklist.
Our print process
Six steps from file to presentation.
How to choose paper
Four variables that decide the paper.