Transmissive Screen vs Reflective Paper
Eliminate dark, blocked-up prints by setting display luminance (`90–110 cd/m²`) and room ambient light to match real print viewing conditions.
Photography & Lighting
Program #053 · Photography
✓ Free Online Intro Included
Fine-Art Print Preparation, Color Calibration & Soft Proofing
Bridge the gap between glowing RGB screens and archival paper through display luminance calibration, ICC paper soft-proofing, print-scale sharpening, and test-strip evaluation.
Almost every photographer has experienced sending a luminous screen edit to a print lab only to receive a dark, muddy sheet of paper back; factory-bright monitors shine transmissive RGB light directly into your eyes at 250–400 cd/m², whereas paper only reflects room light and absorbs pigment differently across matte cotton rag versus coated baryta stocks. In this course, we calibrate display luminance to print standards (`90–110 cd/m²`), soft-proof lab ICC paper profiles in Lightroom and Photoshop, apply viewing-distance resolution and output sharpening, and evaluate physical test strips before ordering full editions.
✓ Free Online Introductory Session
Start with a free online intro consultation for this course: we review the syllabus together, clarify how many sessions you need based on your goals and pace, and decide whether continuing Online ($69 CAD/hr) or In-Person ($99 CAD/hr) suits you best.
First Session
Free Online Intro
Session Rates
$69/hr Online · $99/hr In-Person
Course Structure
Tailored to Your Level & Pace
Instructor & Language
Iman Adlkhah · EN & Persian
Prefer just the written framework instead of live sessions? A standalone $39 CAD PDF guide option can also be requested for this course: select the PDF option below.
Need on-location photography for your team, brand, or listing in Toronto & GTA? Explore our Toronto Photography Services, configure a shoot on Book Online, or see recent shoots on @tehranto.plus on Instagram.
Course Learning Pillars
Core Capabilities Developed in This Course
Every learner starts from a different background. These are the core capabilities this course develops, paced to your goals across the sessions we plan together.
Paper-Specific ICC Profile Soft Proofing
Load exact fine-art paper ICC profiles with paper-and-ink simulation active so you compensate for matte black lift and gamut shifts beforehand.
Print Dimensions, PPI & Output Sharpening
Prepare files at proper `240–300 PPI` print dimensions and apply surface-specific sharpening that counters physical ink spread on paper.
Archival Borders & Test-Strip Verification
Build clean framing margins and order economical multi-section test strips on your chosen stock before committing to large exhibition prints.
Course Syllabus
Core Concepts & Topics Covered
Below are the main concepts and topics covered in this course. In your Free Online Intro Session, we align the exact depth and number of sessions to your experience and goals.
Topic 01
Display Luminance Calibration, White Point & Color Spaces
Aligning your monitor and editing room so shadow density and color temperature stop lying to your eyes before you open a print file.
- Configuring hardware colorimeters (`90–110 cd/m²`, `D65 / D55`) and Apple XDR Photography reference modes
- Understanding 16-bit ProPhoto RGB editing space versus AdobeRGB and sRGB lab delivery requirements
- Preventing mismatched embedded color profiles and turning off consumer lab auto-corrections
Topic 02
Archival Paper Stocks & Hands-On ICC Soft Proofing
Matching image character to cotton rag matte, luster, or glossy baryta papers and building dedicated print-only proof adjustments.
- Comparing 100% cotton rag matte textures against alpha-cellulose luster and fiber-based baryta coatings
- Enabling `Simulate Paper & Ink` in Lightroom Classic and Photoshop using Toronto and international lab ICCs
- Choosing `Perceptual` vs `Relative Colorimetric` rendering intents and opening shadow curves for matte stocks
Topic 03
Viewing-Distance Resolution, Upscaling & Output Sharpening
Resizing camera files cleanly from intimate portfolio prints up to large framed wall pieces while accounting for physical ink dot-gain.
- Calculating native `300 PPI` versus `200–240 PPI` thresholds relative to print size and viewing distance
- Upscaling cropped or lower-megapixel images cleanly without artificial halo edges or color blotches
- Evaluating output sharpening at proper zoom ratios tailored to absorbent matte versus coated glossy papers
Topic 04
Signing Borders, Test-Strip Evaluation & Edition Standards
Verifying real pigment behavior on paper via structured test strips and packaging print-ready masters for labs, framers, or collectors.
- Building archival border templates in Photoshop with mat-window overlap and signing space
- Composing a single cost-saving test strip spanning deep shadows, skin tones, and bright paper whites
- Judging physical test prints under balanced `5000K` light before exporting final 16-bit TIFF lab masters
Course Reference Overview
Fine-Art Print Preparation Reference
Core practical benchmarks and standards covered as part of this course's curriculum.
| Workflow Step | Common Print Disappointment | Calibrated Method Taught | Gallery Print Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monitor Luminance | Editing on a bright `300 cd/m²` screen in a dim room | Setting display luminance to `90–110 cd/m²` under steady room light | Printed shadow density matches your on-screen tonal intent |
| ICC Paper Simulation | Sending a standard web-edited JPEG straight to cotton matte rag | Dedicated proof copy with lab ICC paper-and-ink simulation | Rich tonal separation compensated for matte black ink absorption |
| Sizing & Output Sharpen | Skipping output sharpening so ink spread softens fine detail | Target-dimension resize (`240–300 PPI`) plus paper-matched sharpening | Crisp tactile micro-contrast at natural viewing distance |
| Test-Strip Check | Ordering an expensive large-format print blind on the first try | Inspecting a multi-crop test strip on the exact target paper first | Zero costly reprints and confident exhibition-ready editions |
Start With Your Free Intro Session
Book Program #053: Fine-Art Print Preparation, Color Calibration & Soft Proofing
Choose a time for your Free Online Intro Session to map out your course path, or book an Online ($69/hr) or In-Person ($99/hr) session directly, or request the $39 CAD PDF guide option.
1. Choose Option & Preferred Time (ET)
Standalone PDF Guide Option ($39 CAD)
If you prefer to study the written framework and reference checklists of this course on your own instead of live coaching sessions, enter your details on the form to request the $39 CAD PDF edition. We will coordinate and send your payment link and PDF guide via email or WhatsApp.
Program FAQ
Common Questions
Do I need to own a hardware screen calibrator before starting this course, and can we prepare my actual portfolio images for a Toronto print lab?
You do not need to buy extra hardware beforehand. Modern Apple XDR laptops and pro IPS monitors include reference luminance modes we configure right away, while also showing how hardware colorimeters work when needed. Bring your own RAW or master files; starting from your Free Online Intro Session, we tailor the workflow around your screen and preferred Canadian fine-art lab.
How does the Free Online Intro Session work, and how many sessions will I need?
Every course begins with a Free Online Introductory Session where we review the core syllabus together, evaluate your current background and goals, and map out how many sessions you actually need and whether continuing Online ($69 CAD/hr) or In-Person ($99 CAD/hr) suits you best. Session count is never a rigid one-size-fits-all number; it adapts to your own level and pace.
Do I have to commit to a multi-session package, or can I get just the PDF guide?
There is zero upfront package commitment: live sessions are booked flexibly session-by-session ($69 CAD/hr online or $99 CAD/hr in-person). If you prefer a self-paced written guide instead of live coaching, a standalone $39 CAD PDF option can also be requested for this topic.
Are courses taught in English, Persian (Farsi), or bilingual?
Your choice: every session with Iman Adlkhah can be conducted 100% in English, 100% in Persian (Farsi), or naturally bilingual with industry terminology.
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