Yes. Color Correction is an optional service available for all photo prints and photo products.
If Color Correction has been added to your project, you can remove it before placing your order.
If you've already submitted your order, please contact our Customer Service team as soon as possible. If your order has not yet entered production, we'll review whether Color Correction can still be removed.
Not sure whether you should remove it? The information below explains what Color Correction includes, why many customers choose it, and when printing without it may be the better option.
Quick Answers
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Can I remove Color Correction? | Yes. You can remove it before placing your order. |
| Can it be removed after ordering? | Possibly. If your order has not entered production, contact Customer Service as soon as possible. |
| Is Color Correction required? | No. It is an optional service available for all photo prints and photo products. |
| Who benefits most from Color Correction? | Customers who would like a professional review and print optimization before their images are printed. |
| Who should consider removing it? | Customers using a calibrated monitor, a color-managed workflow, and print-specific editing techniques. |
Before You Decide
If you're unsure whether to keep or remove Color Correction, we generally recommend leaving it selected.
Every image is individually evaluated before printing. Adjustments are made only when they are expected to improve the final printed result for your selected product. Some images may require only minor adjustments, while others may benefit from more noticeable improvements.
Customers who use a calibrated monitor, follow a color-managed workflow, and edit specifically for their intended print process may prefer to remove Color Correction so their images are printed exactly as submitted.
Still deciding? Continue reading to learn how Color Correction works, why colors can vary between print products, and when photographers and experienced editors typically choose to print without additional color correction.
What Is Color Correction?
Color Correction is a professional print optimization service performed by our experienced imaging technicians to help your photos achieve the best possible printed results.
Each image is individually evaluated before printing. Depending on the original file, subtle adjustments may be made to improve:
- Brightness
- Color balance
- Contrast
- Exposure
- Overall image density
These adjustments are intended to optimize your images for print while preserving the natural appearance and artistic intent of your photographs.
Please Note: Color Correction improves the overall appearance of an image through global adjustments. It is not a photo retouching or restoration service.
(Insert Before & After comparison image here.)
The example above illustrates the type of subtle improvements Color Correction can provide. Every image is unique, and the adjustments applied depend on the original file and the product you've selected.
What Does Color Correction Include?
Color Correction is more than an automated adjustment—it's a professional review performed before your images are printed.
During this review, each image is individually evaluated for common print-related characteristics, including:
- Brightness
- Color balance
- Contrast
- Exposure
- Overall image density
Your selected print product is also considered when determining whether adjustments are appropriate. Because different products reproduce color differently, the same image may require a different approach depending on how it will be printed.
Some images require only minimal adjustments, while others may benefit from more noticeable improvements. Every image is evaluated individually to help produce the best possible printed result.
Why Colors Can Vary Between Print Products
The same image may appear slightly different when printed on different products. This is a normal characteristic of professional printing and does not necessarily indicate that something was printed incorrectly.
Different print processes, paper types, finishes, textures, and substrates all reproduce color differently. Each product has unique characteristics that influence how colors, contrast, brightness, and fine detail appear in the final print.
For example:
- Photographic Prints produce smooth, continuous tones and natural color transitions.
- Press Cards use a different printing process and paper stock, which can produce a different appearance than traditional photographic prints.
- Fine Art Papers each have their own base tone and texture that influence the final image.
- Canvas Prints soften fine detail slightly because of their woven texture, creating a more artistic presentation.
- Metal and Acrylic Prints often appear more vibrant due to their reflective surfaces and how they interact with light.
It is common to compare the same image across different products, such as a photographic print and a press card. Because these products use different printing technologies and materials, slight differences in color, contrast, saturation, and overall appearance should be expected.
When Color Correction is selected, these product-specific characteristics are considered during image evaluation to optimize each product for the best possible printed result.
Why Many Customers Choose Color Correction
Color Correction is often a good choice if:
- Your images have not been optimized specifically for professional printing.
- You're printing photos directly from a smartphone or consumer camera.
- You're unsure whether your monitor accurately represents printed color.
- You'd like an experienced imaging technician to review your images before they are printed.
Because digital displays emit light, while printed photographs reflect light, images can appear different in print than on your phone, tablet, or monitor. Display settings such as brightness, Night Shift, True Tone, or other color enhancements can also affect how an image appears on screen.
Color Correction helps minimize these differences by optimizing your images for the selected print process.
When Should I Remove Color Correction?
Removing Color Correction may be the right choice if:
- You use a calibrated monitor and follow a color-managed editing workflow.
- You have soft-proofed your images using our ICC profiles for the intended print process.
- You have already optimized your images specifically for the selected print product.
- You want your files printed exactly as submitted without additional global adjustments.
This workflow is most common among photographers, graphic designers, and experienced editors who manage the entire screen-to-print process themselves.
Important: Selecting No Color Correction means your images will be printed exactly as submitted without additional adjustments. Because every display reproduces color differently, the final print may still appear different than what you see on an uncalibrated monitor, phone, or tablet.
What Color Correction Can and Cannot Do
Color Correction makes overall adjustments to the entire image. Because these adjustments affect the photo as a whole, there are some limitations.
Color Correction can help improve:
- Overall brightness
- Color balance
- Contrast
- Exposure
- Overall tonal appearance
Color Correction does not include:
- Removing people or objects
- Skin retouching
- Background replacement
- Blemish removal
- Repairing blurry or out-of-focus images
- Increasing image resolution
- Recovering image detail that is not present in the original file
- Extensive artistic editing or manipulation
If your project requires more advanced image editing, our Photo Editing Services may be a better solution.
How Much Does Color Correction Cost?
Color Correction is available for all photo prints and photo products.
Pricing varies depending on the product type, size, and substrate.
Current pricing ranges from $0.35 to $6.00 per item.
The applicable price is displayed during the ordering process before you submit your order.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will Color Correction change the style of my photos?
No. Color Correction is designed to preserve the artistic intent of your image while making subtle adjustments that improve overall print quality.
Does every image receive the same adjustments?
No. Every image is individually evaluated before printing. Some photographs require only minor adjustments, while others may benefit from more noticeable corrections depending on the original file and the selected print product.
Is Color Correction the same as Photoshop editing?
No. Color Correction makes global adjustments such as brightness, color balance, contrast, exposure, and density. It does not include retouching, object removal, restoration, or other advanced image editing services.
Does Color Correction guarantee my prints will match my monitor?
No. Every monitor displays color differently, and printed photographs are viewed using reflected light rather than emitted light. While Color Correction helps optimize images for print, an exact screen-to-print match cannot be guaranteed.
Can I add or remove Color Correction after placing my order?
Possibly. If your order has not yet entered production, our Customer Service team may be able to update your order. Please contact us as soon as possible so we can review your request.
Related Articles
- Color Consistency Troubleshooting Tips
- Understanding Why Printed Colors May Look Different Than Your Screen
- Color Spaces: Why We Recommend sRGB
- Monitor Calibration and Print Expectations
- Photoshop Services
- Image Resolution Guidelines
If you need additional assistance, our Customer Service team is happy to help. Simply contact us through our Contact Us page.
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