Books for Artists & Photographers: Quality Print & Color

1. The digital print: Preparing images in Lightroom and Photoshop for printing

A strong practical guide to preparing images in Lightroom and Photoshop for high-quality printing, with attention to soft proofing, print drivers, fine-art workflow, and color-managed output.

Schewe, J. (2013). The digital print: Preparing images in Lightroom and Photoshop for printing . Peachpit Press.

2. Real World Color Management

A deeper technical reference for understanding ICC profiles, device behavior, color spaces, monitor-to-printer matching, and professional color workflows.

Fraser, B., Murphy, C., & Bunting, F. (2005). Real world color management (2nd ed.). Peachpit Press.

3. Color management for photographers: Hands on techniques for Photoshop users

A hands-on book for photographers who want practical, step-by-step color management techniques, especially within Photoshop-based workflows.

Rodney, A. (2005). Color management for photographers: Hands on techniques for Photoshop users . Focal Press.

4. Fine art printing for photographers: Exhibition quality prints with inkjet printers

Focused on exhibition-quality inkjet prints, including color management, profiling, paper choice, inks, and the foundations of fine-art photographic output.

Steinmueller, U., & Gulbins, J. (2008). Fine art printing for photographers: Exhibition quality prints with inkjet printers (2nd ed.). Rocky Nook.

5. Mastering Digital Printing

A broad guide for photographers, artists, and printmakers covering inkjet printers, papers, inks, RIPs, permanence, color management, and professional output decisions.

Johnson, H. (2005). Mastering digital printing (2nd ed.). Thomson Course Technology.

6. Color confidence: The digital photographer’s guide to color management

A practical capture-to-output color management book designed for photographers who want reliable results without getting lost in excessive color science.

Grey, T. (2007). Color confidence: The digital photographer’s guide to color management (2nd ed.). John Wiley & Sons.

7. The Print

[Staff recommended]  A classic printmaking book that remains valuable for thinking about tonal control, expressive interpretation, and the artistic possibilities of the final print.

Adams, A. (1995). The print (R. Baker, Contributor). Bulfinch.

8. Way beyond monochrome: Advanced techniques for traditional black & white photography including digital negatives and hybrid printing

Especially useful for black-and-white photographers, with detailed coverage of visualization, tonal control, archival printing, mounting, framing, and presentation.

Lambrecht, R. W., & Woodhouse, C. (2011). Way beyond monochrome: Advanced techniques for traditional black & white photography including digital negatives and hybrid printing (2nd ed.). Routledge.