Do you sharpen when output from Lightroom?

[Raymond Lin]

I have about 300 photos to output to print from LR, and i am unsure whether to apply "sharpen for Glossy paper" to them or not.

For one thing, i am going to use the photos to make a book from blurb and so the paper is not entirely glossy, actually i am not sure what the paper will be like.

Second, i have checked the difference on screen, the setting for sharpen for glossy is more aggressive than sharpen for screen.

What do you guys do and what should I do ?

 

[specialman]

I tend to bypass it and do my sharpening in LR and not when I output. Like you say, it can be aggressive sharpening because it's a preset, whereas doing it in the detail panel leaves you the leeway to sharpen in small amounts

 

[JP6]

I usually do use it, just on the standard setting, it does a very good job. The high setting does tend to over-sharpen though.

Edit - Oh hi from OcUK Raymond!

 

[Jimmy_Lemon]

I use the more customisable options in Mogrify. Then again I dont do any sharpening pre-export.

 

[Craikeybaby]

I always use the sharpen on the export, as the sharpen in the develop module isn't specific for the file size.

There isn't really much difference between sharpening for gloss or matte, sharpen for each and look at the files at 100%. Sharpening for screen does not sharpen as much as sharpening for print because prints can hold more sharpening that images on the screen.

 

[Chris M]

I'd suggest contacting Blurb and ask their advice, each lab/provider will probably apply different levels of sharpening to your images depending on the output so worth asking them first.

I'm planning to put together a photobook through them so will be contacting them about this.

 

[Chris M]

I got a speedy reply from Blurb, which is as below (I doubt they will mind me sharing it here).


- Begin Response -
Many print houses automatically adjust your images. However, BookSmart does not automatically brighten images and it is up to the author to lighten them when necessary.
While working on your first book, please keep in mind that monitors add extra brightness, and that your printed photos will look darker on paper (details in shadowed areas are especially likely to be lost in print). You may need to turn down your monitor's brightness and/or contrast to get a more realistic idea of how a picture will appear in print. Then, if necessary, use a photo editing program to brighten your images before dropping them into BookSmart.

Finally, please remember that the content of your book is entirely up to you. So make sure everything looks the way you want it to before ordering.
-End Response -

So for Blurb I reckon sharpen for matter (unless you choose premium paper option) and remember to check lightness.