SUMMARY
While printer specs like gamut volume and D-max are often cited, they provide little indication of a print's real-world appearance. Keith Cooper explores what truly affects print quality, emphasizing that factors such as rendering intent and paper choice are more critical than theoretical figures. Soft proofing in software like Photoshop and Lightroom Classic allows photographers to preview how different rendering intents will affect their images on specific papers before printing. The choice of printer and paper should be considered together, as some printers may limit paper options or perform poorly with certain stocks.
TAKEAWAYS
Print quality specs like D-max and gamut volume are less important than real-world factors.
Rendering intent (perceptual vs. relative colorimetric) significantly affects how colors are reproduced.
Soft proofing allows previewing print results before committing ink.
Printer choice and paper selection are interconnected and impact final print quality.