This article explains the optimal export settings for photos depending on the output channel: web, social media, professional printing, home printers, and archiving. It recommends suitable formats, resolutions, color spaces, and metadata, as well as creating Lightroom presets. A test print before final production is strongly recommended.
Category: Photography – Advanced Topics > 11. Advanced Image Editing Article ID: 11.13 Created: May 2026
Key points at a glance
- Each output channel has its own requirements for resolution, file format, color space, and file size
- For web and social media: sRGB, JPEG 80–90%, 72–150 ppi, pixel dimensions based on the platform
- For professional printing: 300 dpi, TIFF or highest-quality JPEG, sRGB or CMYK according to the printer’s specifications
Explanation
Export settings by output channel
Web / Email:
| Setting | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Format | JPEG |
| Quality | 75–85% |
| Color space | sRGB |
| Resolution | 72–96 ppi |
| Maximum pixel dimensions | 2000–3000 px (long edge) |
| Sharpen for | Screen |
| Metadata | Copyright only, no GPS data |
Social media (platform-specific):
| Platform | Recommended pixel dimensions | Format | Aspect ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Instagram Feed | 1080 × 1080 (1:1) or 1080 × 1350 (4:5) | JPEG | 1:1 or 4:5 |
| Instagram Stories/Reels | 1080 × 1920 | JPEG | 9:16 |
| Facebook Feed | 1200 × 628 (link) or 1080 × 1080 | JPEG | 1.91:1 or 1:1 |
| 1000 × 1500 | JPEG | 2:3 | |
| 1200 × 627 | JPEG | 1.91:1 | |
| Twitter/X | 1200 × 675 | JPEG | 16:9 |
Professional printing (commercial printer):
| Setting | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Format | TIFF (lossless) or JPEG quality 95–100% |
| Resolution | 300 dpi at final size |
| Color space | sRGB or CMYK according to the printer’s specifications |
| Profile | ISO Coated v2 / PSO Coated v3 (offset printing) |
| Soft proofing | Perform beforehand using the printer profile (→ Article 10.6) |
Home printer (inkjet printer):
| Setting | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Format | High-quality JPEG or TIFF |
| Resolution | 300 dpi at print size |
| Color space | sRGB (the printer driver converts it) |
| Color management | In the printer dialog: “Printer Manages Colors” |
Archiving:
| Setting | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Format | TIFF (16-bit) or DNG (RAW) |
| Color space | ProPhoto RGB (with an embedded profile!) |
| Resolution | Original resolution |
| Metadata | Complete, including EXIF, IPTC, and GPS |
Export workflow in Lightroom
Create export presets: File → Export → Configure the desired settings → “Add Preset” → Enter a name
Recommendation: Create presets for the most frequently used channels:
- “Web Standard” (JPEG 80%, sRGB, 2000px)
- “Instagram 1:1” (JPEG 90%, sRGB, 1080×1080px)
- “Print 300dpi” (TIFF, sRGB, 300dpi)
- “Archive DNG” (DNG, original size)
Batch export: Select all finished images → File → Export → Select a preset → Export
File names and metadata
- Use a consistent file-naming convention: YYYY-MM-DD_Project_Number (e.g., 2026-05-01_Wedding_0042)
- Embed IPTC metadata during export: name, copyright, usage rights
- Remove GPS data for web publications if privacy is important
Practical tip
Always make a test print before an important print production. Even with perfect soft proofing, there are minor differences between the monitor and the printer. An A4 test print costs just a few dollars and can protect an expensive large print run from errors. For the test print, use the same paper, printer, and settings as for the final print.