Best Lightroom Export Settings for Printing 2026
Best Lightroom Export Settings for Printing 2026
Printing requires completely different export settings from social media. Resolution, color space, and file format all matter significantly more for print than for digital display.
Print resolution explained
Resolution for print is measured in DPI (dots per inch) — the number of printed dots per inch of paper. Higher DPI means finer detail and sharper prints.
300 DPI: Professional standard. Used by professional print labs. Required for photo books, fine art prints, and anything where quality matters.
240 DPI: Acceptable quality. Works for most home printers and standard photo prints.
150 DPI: Visible pixellation at normal viewing distances. Acceptable only for very large format prints viewed from a distance (posters, banners).
72 DPI: Screen resolution. Never use for print.
How to calculate pixel dimensions for printing
Pixels needed = print size in inches x DPI
A4 print at 300 DPI: 11.7 x 8.3 inches x 300 = 3,508 x 2,480 pixels
8x10 inch print at 300 DPI: 8 x 10 inches x 300 = 2,400 x 3,000 pixels
5x7 inch print at 300 DPI: 5 x 7 inches x 300 = 1,500 x 2,100 pixels
Most modern camera files at full resolution (24MP+) have sufficient pixel dimensions for A4 at 300 DPI or larger.
Best export settings for professional print labs
Format: JPEG or TIFF
Quality (JPEG): 95-100%
Color Space: sRGB (for most consumer labs) or Adobe RGB (for professional fine art labs — check with your lab)
Resolution: 300 DPI
Sharpening: Output Sharpening: Print, Standard or High
Best export settings for home printers
Format: JPEG
Quality: 90-95%
Color Space: sRGB
Resolution: 240-300 DPI
Sharpening: Output Sharpening: Print, Standard
Best export settings for large format printing (posters, canvas)
Format: JPEG or TIFF
Quality: 95-100%
Color Space: sRGB or Adobe RGB
Resolution: 150 DPI (viewed from a distance) to 300 DPI (fine detail)
Large format prints are typically viewed from a greater distance than standard photos — 150 DPI is acceptable for prints over 24 inches wide.
Color space for printing — sRGB vs Adobe RGB
sRGB: Standard for consumer print labs. Most online print services assume sRGB. Safe for most printing.
Adobe RGB: Wider color space with more colors, particularly in greens and cyans. Used by professional fine art labs. Prints look more vivid on calibrated professional equipment.
Important: If you export in Adobe RGB and the print lab uses sRGB, colors will look desaturated. Always check what color space your lab accepts before exporting.
Free preset for print photography
Film presets look excellent in print — the tonal quality and color character of analog film often looks better in print than on screen. The A6 preset's lifted blacks and soft highlight roll-off translate particularly well to printed output.
FAQ
What DPI should I use for printing photos?
300 DPI for professional quality prints. 240 DPI for home printing. Never use 72 DPI — that is screen resolution only.
Should I export as JPEG or TIFF for printing?
JPEG at 95-100% quality is sufficient for most printing. TIFF is lossless and technically superior but creates very large files. Use TIFF only for professional fine art printing where maximum quality is required.
Why do my printed photos look darker than on screen?
Screens display images with backlight — they emit light. Printed photos reflect light. The same image always looks darker in print than on screen. Increase exposure slightly (+0.2 to +0.3) before exporting for print to compensate.
