JPEG colour profile effecting print darkness?

[dtokez]

A client of ours has had a photo printed, and they have complained to the printers that the print is much darker than the JPEG image they sent in when they view on screen.

The printer has come back and said its because we have applied a filter (the raw was edited in LR), and are saying they need the original RAW file. I am a bit confused - surely all the data is contained in the compressed JPEG. The image we gave them was in colour but they are trying to print in black and white.

Just checked and its sRGB colour space (see below).

I'm not really sure how to respond to this - any advice would be gratefully received.



Reply from printers to our client.....
Hi,
I have just spoken to the lab and they said the image you sent has had some kind of filter added to it, which is why it looks slightly different on screen.
If are really unhappy then we could look at the original file if it was taken in a RAW format, and see if it can be adjusted, however they will charge a small amount to produce another block.
Let me know what you want to do.
Thank you
Nicky



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Device Manufacturer IEC
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[StewartR]

The printer has come back and said its because we have applied a filter (the raw was edited in LR), and are saying they need the original RAW file. I am a bit confused - surely all the data is contained in the compressed JPEG.

Yes. All the data is contained in the JPEG. I don't know what the issue is, but the printers don't need the RAW file.

The way the RAW was edited in LR has nothing to do with it, but the way the JPEG was exported from LR might.

If there is a problem with the JPEG specification (colour profile etc) - which I'm not competent to judge - then of course the printers might find it easier to re-create the JPEG from the RAW file, and make sure it has the right specification. But if your client can sort out the problem and fix the JPEG then the printer won't need the RAW file.

 

[st599]

The sRGB profile has a stated peak brightness and stated viewing condition.

Was it viewed correctly on the screen. If not, they'll have compensated in the image settings. The conversion for print will assume compliant sRGB.

 

[PhilH04]

print is much darker than the JPEG image they sent in when they view on screen.

= Monitor luminance too high.

Not sure what the lab is on about though... can you be more specific as to what type of print this was as they are talking about producing 'a block' in their reply.

 

[john.margetts]

As always with differences between screen and print, you need to make sure that the screen is properly calibrated. If the print is much darker than the screen, it suggests the screen is too bright.

 

[ecoleman]

I would suggest a different lab.

 

[riddell]

Do you have a calibrated screen? If you don't there's your problem, and its not even something you even have a case for an argument if you are not.

 

[Harlequin565]

Because of this..

The printer has come back and said its because we have applied a filter (the raw was edited in LR), and are saying they need the original RAW file.

I'd echo Elliott's words...

I would suggest a different lab.

It sounds to me like the lab is trying to pass the buck rather than actually look at & resolve the issue. If the jpeg looked fine on the client's machine and then went to the lab untouched, it's going to be an issue either with the client's eyesight/monitor, or the lab's print process. Either way - the lab should be in the best position to help the client get the result they want and work through whatever the issue is. Presumably, you took the photo, the client was happy, and the problems started in print. I'm not sure how having the raw file will do anything other than allow the lab to print another dark (and unsharpened) copy, then blame you! Having the raw file so they can "tweak" it for print could end up being a double edged sword.