How to Export from Photoshop for Print
The exact settings that produce print-ready files every time.
Photoshop has 4 ways to export an image: Save As, Export As, Save for Web (Legacy), and Export → Quick Export. Each produces different results. For print, you want Save As or Export As with specific settings. This guide gives you the exact dialog box choices for print files (300 DPI, sRGB or CMYK, JPG or PNG) and explains when each export method matters.
Get this right and your prints look professional. Get it wrong and you'll have files that look fine on screen but print blurry or with wrong colors.
Recommended Export Settings
| Setting | Print (300 DPI) | Web/Etsy Listing |
|---|---|---|
| Method | Save As (best metadata control) | Export As (web-optimized) |
| Format | JPG (photos) or PNG (graphics) | JPG (smaller, faster) |
| JPG Quality | 10–12 (Maximum) | 7–9 (High) |
| Color Profile | sRGB (or CMYK if shop requires) | sRGB (web standard) |
| DPI | 300 (stamped via Image Size) | 72 (or any — web ignores) |
| Embed Profile | Yes (ICC profile included) | No (smaller file) |
| Metadata | Keep (preserves DPI, color) | Strip (smaller, no privacy concerns) |
Critical: Set DPI to 300 in Image → Image Size BEFORE exporting. Export dialogs don't always preserve DPI metadata correctly.
Why this matters
The wrong export settings produce files that look fine on screen but fail at the printer. JPG quality below 8 introduces compression artifacts visible in printed gradients. Forgetting to embed the color profile causes color shifts (image looks correct on your monitor, looks wrong on printer's calibrated workflow). Using "Save for Web" strips DPI metadata — the file works for web but print shops reject it. Each setting has a print consequence. Get them right systematically and your files print as designed.
Each export scenario
- Print files for Etsy digital download. Save As → JPG, Quality 12, sRGB, embed profile. 300 DPI stamped via Image Size first.
- Listing preview for Etsy/Amazon. Export As → JPG, Quality 80, sRGB, no metadata. 1000–2000px square.
- Print files for commercial print shop. Save As → JPG Quality 12 or PNG. Check if they need CMYK profile (many do for offset printing).
- Clipart for digital download with transparency. Save As → PNG-24 (full transparency). Optimize via TinyPNG after export to reduce file size.
- PDF for multi-page planner or card. File → Save As → Photoshop PDF. Choose "High Quality Print" preset, embed all fonts, include bleed if needed.
Common mistakes
1. Using "Save for Web" for print files
Save for Web strips DPI metadata, removes color profile, and limits to sRGB. Print shops reject these files. Use Save As for print.
2. JPG quality below 10 for print
JPG quality 8 looks fine on screen but introduces visible artifacts in print, especially in gradients and skies. Use Quality 11–12 for print.
3. Forgetting to set 300 DPI before export
Set Image → Image Size → 300 DPI BEFORE exporting. Some export methods don't preserve DPI from the document setting.
4. Not embedding color profile
Without an embedded ICC profile, printers guess at color interpretation. Embed sRGB or CMYK profile for accurate color reproduction.
5. Exporting CMYK to JPG (some software issues)
CMYK JPG is supported but some viewers (browsers, image apps) display incorrectly. For CMYK, prefer TIFF or PDF. Use sRGB JPG for max compatibility.
Frequently asked questions
Related guides
Ready to export?
Save As → JPG Quality 12 → sRGB → embed profile → 300 DPI. Or use Ratio Ready batch processing to skip manual exports entirely.