Is it better to print 8 or 16 bit files?

[col4bin]

what effect will it have on the output?

[PacAce]

I don't think there's going to make a difference which you use for printing. The difference comes in when you are editing an image, especially when doing intensive editing.

[Desertraptor]

I send the edited tiff (45 odd Mb) to print. If you have it might as well send the printer the highest amount of info possible. That's my opinion.

[UncleDoug]

You can not print a 16bit file.
Only 8.
If someone says they can print a 16bit file, they are backing it off to 8bit.

[col4bin]

You can not print a 16bit file.
Only 8.
If someone says they can print a 16bit file, they are backing it off to 8bit.

So, when I process a RAW to a 16 bit TIFF and open it in PSE4 to print, are you saying I am really printing an 8 bit TIFF?

[UncleDoug]

So, when I process a RAW to a 16 bit TIFF and open it in PSE4 to print, are you saying I am really printing an 8 bit TIFF?


You got it.

[Atomic79]

I believe most printers are 8 bit devices. Having said that I have also read (and I haven't found any consistant data) that printers/drivers will down sample the 16 bit data to their 8 bit color space which would give the printer more data to down sample with. However, if you have profiled both your monitor and printer converting to 8 bit and color balancing for printing will most likely give you more consistant results.

[UncleDoug]

I need to make a disclaimer here.
The Canon iPF5000 claims to be able to bypas system print drivers and allw 16bit printing.
But from what I've read there is some suspicion on this....

[col4bin]

I believe most printers are 8 bit devices. Having said that I have also read (and I haven't found any consistant data) that printers/drivers will down sample the 16 bit data to their 8 bit color space which would give the printer more data to down sample with. However, if you have profiled both your monitor and printer converting to 8 bit and color balancing for printing will most likely give you more consistant results.

I think I understand. Since I am trying to print a 16 bit file, could this be a cause of the printed pictures coming out different than what I see on the screen (assuming my monitor is calibrated)?

[jj1987]

yes. If you're profiled, do the conversion yourself so you can see the changes.

[maderito]

Color spaces (e.g. sRGB) are not directly connected to image file bit depth (8 or 16 bit):

Color space, as typically used, refers to the 2- or 3-dimensional boundary that encloses the colors which can be displayed/printed among all possible colors.

Bit depth refers to the precision with which the colors within a color space can be defined. An 8 bit file can only define each R/G/B color component by 256 levels; 12 bits = 4096 levels, etc. Photoshop 16-bit mode actually displays 2^15 levels. The 16th bit is random.

In principle, higher bit depth image data permits display/printing of smoother color gradations (less banding) within the color space - perhaps something desirable with large color spaces. However, most output devices (monitors/printers) are limited to 8 bits.

It is argued that editing images in 16-bit instead of 8-bit mode leads to a better final image, especially if large color corrections are made. It is hard to actually prove. See this link (http://www.brucelindbloom.com/index.html?DanMargulis.html) if color geek discussions on this topic interest you.

[Lester Wareham]

I think printers are all 8bit devices. I guess the advantage of printing a 16 bit file is if the programe (photoshop) is doing all the colour space conversion, then presumably the conversion caculations will be in 16 bit before being truncated to 8 bit and sent to the printer.

I assume PS works this way - would be poor programming if not IMHO.

However, my expectation is even if this is right it makes little observable difference in most cases.

[Hellashot]

If you can print 16bit TIFF, do so.

[jj1987]

If you can print 16bit TIFF, do so.
why, the printer drivers convert it and you cant see the results or tweak them?

[tim]

Have a few pics printed 8 and 16 bit, see if you can tell the difference in a blind test. My money's on nope.

[rfreschner]

My money's on nope.

nope?? who's nope??!! :lol: