Profiles in Lightroom

[dribble97]

I have some inter-related questions on use of paper profiles in Lightroom. There was a similar question asked earlier this year (https://forums.adobe.com/message/10173663#10173663), but it doesn't answer my situation. First, the background …

I'm in the Develop module's Soft Proofing process with the aim of making a print. I create a Proof Copy and must specify the colour management Profile and Intent. This profile is used to generate the Copy Name metadata - recorded in the Library module. In the Print module, the Print Job panel requires the Profile and Intent to be specified again even if already specified while Soft Proofing.

My normal practice is to use a Proof Copy to make the print. A couple of times I have made an error in the Print Module by pressing the Print button before setting the Profile and Intent in the Print Job panel. If this Profile and Intent don't match those set during Soft Proofing the resulting print will be wrong. I recall reading somewhere that the Copy Name is a record of the profile used to make the print, but it doesn't work out like in the described situation.

Now the questions …

• If the Profile and Intent have already been set during Soft Proofing and recorded in metadata, why does Lightroom require the information to be entered again in the Print Job panel?
• Is it possible for Lightroom to issue a warning if there is a conflict between the Print Job profile and the Copy Name? Or better still, just read the Profile and Intent from the metadata and avoid the need for Profile and Intent to be entered twice.
• Of course, it's entirely possible that I've misunderstood the intended Lightroom workflow. Maybe there is a good reason for specifying the Profile and Intent twice. Can someone suggest a reason?

[JP Hess]

As I understand it, when you are actually doing the soft proofing in Lightroom this is a visual process. When you go to the print module to set up the actual print job you are providing instructions for the printer. The soft proof profile can be changed from one intent to another, according to the needs of the print job. So, yes, it's a two-step job. And it's necessary to watch closely on both steps.

[dribble97]

I agree that the soft proof profile can be changed from one intent to another  - you can make these changes during the soft proof process. The soft proof process helps you to decide which paper and and intent is best for your image. The soft proof process also allows you to make adjustments to the image to achieve the image you want. Having gone through the soft proof process, why would you want to set a different paper and intent in the Print Module?

I suppose you might want to make two prints - one perceptual and one relative colorimetric to see the difference on the real world print. I must have done this at some time  in the past, but rarely.

[JP Hess]

I can only guess, because I'm not a real technician or specialist. But you have to remember that a soft proof isn't a real file. It's a virtual copy. It only exists as a metadata copy in the catalog. So I'm thinking that's why it's necessary to make "real" settings in the print module. Maybe someone who "really" knows can give you a better explanation.

[dribble97]

Thanks Jim.

Any other suggestions, anyone?

[JohanElzenga · Accepted solution]

dribble97  wrote

Now the questions …

• If the Profile and Intent have already been set during Soft Proofing and recorded in metadata, why does Lightroom require the information to be entered again in the Print Job panel?

Because the programmers didn't bother to link the two.

dribble97  wrote

• Is it possible for Lightroom to issue a warning if there is a conflict between the Print Job profile and the Copy Name? Or better still, just read the Profile and Intent from the metadata and avoid the need for Profile and Intent to be entered twice.

No, there isn't.

[dribble97]

JohanEl54  wrote

dribble97   wrote

Now the questions …

• If the Profile and Intent have already been set during Soft Proofing and recorded in metadata, why does Lightroom require the information to be entered again in the Print Job panel?

Because the programmers didn't bother to link the two.

dribble97   wrote

• Is it possible for Lightroom to issue a warning if there is a conflict between the Print Job profile and the Copy Name? Or better still, just read the Profile and Intent from the metadata and avoid the need for Profile and Intent to be entered twice.

No, there isn't.

I guess these answers were always at the back of my head as possibilities.

If I suggested to fix this in an upgrade I suspect it would be very low on the list, but it would help me to avoid the mistake in future. The real take-away message for me is to check before pressing the Print button. Many thanks.

[JP Hess]

Anyone has a right to make a suggestion. Here is a link to the forum where the developers consider all suggestions:

Lightroom Classic CC | Photoshop Family Customer Community

[dribble97]

Thanks Jim, I'll check out that link.