Printing Tiffs

[Alter_ego]

Having processed my pics in PS, I can send the tiff file directly to the printer. The files are still 16 bit and are in Adobe RGB.
Should I convert to sRGB ,and maybe even convert to 8 bit jpg before printing. Am I gaining anything at all by printing a 16 bit tiff, or is the printer converting my file before it prints.

Allan

[jfrancho]

What printer? And are you printing from Photoshop?

[Alter_ego]

I'm using a Canon iP6600D. Yes I am printing directly from photoshop.

[UnivModels]

Don't understand "printer"

If you are using a commercial printe, as in offset printer, Tiff is great - they can send the files to a RIP unit for printing - and color will be in CMYR (printer colors). If your printing from your computer printer there is no need for Tiff

[Alter_ego]

Originally Posted by UnivModels

Don't understand "printer"

By 'printer' I am refering to the small machine sitting in my editing room, not a company or third person.
My thoughts were, ...why am I converting to 8 bit jpg if I don't have to, and will a 16 bit tiff give me a better print with less work.

[jfrancho]

Sorry it took me so long to reply, but I've been out fly fishing in 20°F snowy weather for the past couple days . I think your looking to print letting the inkjet determine the colors. Others recommend letting PS determine. Here is a document explaining the differences: Photoshop CS2 - Print with Colour Management. Here is another showing the different ways as well: http://homepage.mac.com/renard/ls/Ca...file_Guide.pdf.

Most recommend that you let PS handle it all. Either way, you need to have the correct profile for the paper and printer.

One last option is printing with Qimage: Qimage Professional Quality Photo Printing Software. I have never used it, but I've NEVER heard anything but good reviews.

Some more good stuff from Steve's Digicams (by the author of Qimage): Steve's Digicams - Tech Corner - June 2005.

[Alter_ego]

jfranco; Thanks for coming back, did you catch anything?

I am letting PS handle all the printing and colour management. I just convert Raw to Tiff, crop the pics to size and print from PS.
My question in another form might be..........Does my printer actually print 16 bit Tiff files at any resolution I send it from photoshop, or is there some voodoo going on somewhere that converts my pic to sRGB and JPG. I have read that most printers only print SRGB or JPG's and I cannot find out if its true.
So I just wondered if I was actually gaining anything by printing Tiffs.

[martin-images]

I don't think there is any advantage of printing in 16bit tiff or 8 bit jpeg, you will see no difference, try the same file as both in printout and compare, the advantage of saving as tiff is its is any changes later on to the file will not degrade the image , keep editing a jpeg over and over and you will lose quality, best way is to re size your tiff image for printing then use the re size image as your master file for printout as I assume you will sharpen for printing, this can look bad on screen but not noticeable on the print, and keep your un sized unsharpened tiff as the master file


Martin
digital-monochrome fine art black and white landscape print galleries

[Alter_ego]

Thanks Martin, that is basically what I do, until its time to convert to sRGB jpgs for web or to to put on a CD for computer display. Whaich leads me to the other question I posted in the editing forum. Would you be so kind as to have a look.
Allan

[jfrancho]

That printer is an 8-bit device, so it will be converted to 8-bits per channel anyway. If your working on a tiff or psd in 16 bits, and want to print, go ahead and print it. If you already have a jpeg, go ahead and print it. Like Martin says, you won't see the difference.

And to answer your other question, I always catch fish . Yesterday I it very cold and my line kept freezing, but I did catch two rainbow trouts. Catching them was the fun part, reaching into the icy water to remove the barbless hook and release them was horrible. I went through half a dozen heat packs. Today was much more pleasant in the mid 30s, but the fish were less cooperative. Just one small rainbow.

[garrentee]

Catching them was the fun part, reaching into the icy water to remove the barbless hook and release them was horrible. I went through half a dozen heat packs.

Sounds Like A Blast... YIKES!!

[jfrancho]

It's worth it. Gotta get those last few days in! Everything is frozen over now.