Soft-Proofing an Image in Photoshop

A soft proof simulates how a print will look on a specific printer and paper combination. For example, we soft proof for Epson’s canvas on my 9800 before printing, and make adjustments to match the colors on the printed output with the original master digital file for that specific canvas. You can use Coalson Editions profiles to see how your print will look on a given paper prior to submitting the file.

TIP: There’s not much point in soft-proofing your images if your monitor is not properly calibrated using calibration hardware such as EyeOne, Huey, Spyder, etc.

Step 1. Install the printer profile for the printer and paper you want to use  (see above)

Step 2. In Photoshop, select View > Proof Setup > Custom…

Step 3. In the Customize Proof Condition dialog box, make the following settings:

TIP: after making your settings, before clicking OK, you click Save… to save the new customized proof condition. It will show in the View > Proof Setup menu.

Step 4. In Photoshop, on your master image file, select Image > Duplicate… and copy your image into a new file. This is the Reference image, and you will match your soft-proofed master file to this temporary reference file.

Step 5. Set your desktop or Photoshop pasteboard color to a neutral gray, or black if possible. (Using black as the surrounding color allows the most accurate visual analysis.)

Step 6. Place your two image windows side by side, overlapping, or one above the other (depending on the dimensions of the image). On your original master file, Choose View > Proof Setup… and select the proof condition you previously created, or make a new custom proof condition using different settings as necessary. DO NOT SOFT PROOF THE REFERENCE IMAGE.

Step 7. Perform any necessary color correction using adjustment layers to get the closest visual match between your soft-proofed master and your reference. You most likely will need to use saturation and levels adjustments, and possibly curves. When you’re satisfied, you can close the reference image file without saving it.

Step 8. Save your master file with the adjustment layers for each proof condition you need. For example, if you intend to print the image on canvas, photo paper and fabric, you would have a layer group containing specific adjustments for each proof condition. We also recommend you try some proof conditions using the Perceptual Rendering Intent, in addition to Relative…on some images Perceptual will give the best print quality.

TIP: Name your layer groups carefully, including which rendering intent was used!

The image is now color-corrected for printing to a specific printer and paper. (Make sure your adjustment layers are visible when printing.)