Lightroom Classic · Lesson 43Export: The Complete Guide
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Lightroom Classic — Lesson 43
Your Edit Is Done. Now Get It Out of Lightroom.
Getting the export settings right means the right file type, the right size, the right color space — for every destination.
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File Settings
Format, quality, color space, and bit depth — the most important panel in the Export dialog.
🔍
Output Sharpening
Separate from Develop sharpening. Optimizes the image for its final display medium — screen or paper.
⚡
Export Presets
Save your settings once. Export any image with one click — web, client, Instagram, print lab.
💡Export is how your edit becomes a deliverable. Getting the settings right means the right file type, the right size, the right color space — for every destination.
Getting Started
Opening the Export Dialog
File > Export, or Cmd/Ctrl+Shift+E. Select your images first in Library — the export dialog applies to your current selection.
Left Column — Export Presets
Saved export configurations. Click a preset to instantly load all its settings. Lightroom ships with a few built-in presets; you'll add your own.
Right Column — Settings Panels
Seven panels, top to bottom: Export Location · File Naming · File Settings · Image Sizing · Output Sharpening · Metadata · Watermarking. Work through each panel in order.
Post-Processing Panel (bottom)
What happens after the files are exported — open in Finder, launch in Photoshop, or run a script.
You can also right-click any selected image in Library and choose Export > Export to open the same dialog.
Panel 1
Export Location
Where your exported files land. Choose from the Export To dropdown:
Specific Folder
Choose any folder on your drive — the most predictable option.
Same Folder as Original
Exports alongside your RAW files — can get messy but convenient for quick exports.
Desktop / My Documents
Fast option for a quick one-off export you'll move or delete.
Choose Folder Later
Lightroom prompts you at export time — useful for presets where the destination changes.
Sub-folder option: Creates a named folder inside the destination. Example: export to Clients/Smith_Wedding/ automatically organized.
"Add to This Catalog" checkbox: Re-imports the exported file back into LR — useful for TIFF round-trips to Photoshop.
Panel 2
File Naming
Choose to rename files on export or keep the original filename. The Filename Template editor combines tokens to build custom names.
Available Tokens
Original filename
Date (YYYY, MM, DD)
Sequence number (001, 002…)
Custom text (type anything)
Image number from capture
Open the Filename Template Editor via the dropdown
Choose "Edit…" at the bottom of the Rename File dropdown.
2
Build the template by inserting tokens
Click token buttons (Filename, Date, Sequence) to insert them into the template field. Add literal text between tokens.
3
Save as a preset for future use
Click the Preset dropdown → Save Current Settings as New Preset. Name it clearly (e.g., "Client_OriginalName").
Panel 3 — The Most Important
File Settings — Format & Quality
Format Choices
JPEG — web, client delivery | TIFF — print lab, archival | PSD — Photoshop round-trip | DNG — archival RAW | Original — exact copy with sidecar
JPEG Quality
80–90 for client delivery | 70–80 for web | 95–100 for lab-ready files
Bit Depth
8-bit for JPEG and web | 16-bit for TIFF print and archival work
sRGB
Web, social media, most clients, printing services. Use this by default unless you know otherwise.
AdobeRGB / ProPhoto
AdobeRGB for professional print labs. ProPhoto only with 16-bit TIFF for archival — never for web.
Panel 4
Image Sizing
Check "Resize to Fit" and choose a sizing method. Leave unchecked to export at full native resolution.
Sizing Options
Long Edge (most common)
Short Edge
Width & Height (max dimensions)
Megapixels (total pixel count)
Percentage of original
Common Sizes
Web / Social: 2048px long edge
Instagram: 1080px long edge
Email: 1200px long edge
Print: uncheck resize (native)
Screen HD: 1920px long edge
Resolution field (ppi): 72 ppi for screen, 300 ppi for print. This field only adds metadata — it does NOT change pixel count when Resize is unchecked. Pixel count is what matters for quality; ppi is just a label.
Panel 5
Output Sharpening
This is separate from the capture sharpening in the Detail panel. Output sharpening compensates for softening introduced by downsampling and optimizes for the final output medium.
Three Sharpen For Options
Screen — for web, email, digital display. Matte Paper — for inkjet with matte surfaces. Glossy Paper — for inkjet with glossy/luster surfaces.
Amount: Standard or High
Standard for most images. High for images that will be viewed close-up or for large prints where fine detail is critical.
Always enable output sharpening. It's a small checkbox with a big impact — images look noticeably crisper when output sharpening matches the medium. Screen sharpening for web; paper sharpening for prints matching paper surface.
Panel 6
Metadata
Control what information is embedded in your exported files. This affects privacy and professional use.
1
Copyright Only
Safest for client delivery. Embeds your copyright notice — nothing else that could identify location or subject.
2
Copyright & Contact Info
Adds your email, website, and phone from your IPTC contact template. Good for portfolio images you want to be trackable.
3
All Metadata
Includes all IPTC fields, GPS coordinates, keywords, ratings, and camera data. Use only when the recipient needs full metadata.
4
Remove Location Info checkbox
Strips GPS coordinates — important for privacy when sharing images of children, private properties, or security-sensitive locations.
Panel 7
Watermarking
Watermarks are applied at export only — non-destructive. The original file is never altered.
Simple Text Watermark
Type your text. Choose font, size, color, opacity, and position (corner or center). A subtle corner watermark is most professional.
Graphic Watermark
Upload a PNG with a transparent background. Your logo appears on the image at any size and position you choose.
Watermark best practice: Subtle corner watermarks at 30–50% opacity are most professional. Avoid center watermarks that obscure the image — they signal distrust and reduce the perceived quality of your portfolio.
Work Smarter
Export Presets — Save Your Settings
Configure all your settings, then click Add in the left preset column. Name it clearly. Export any image with one click.
Web JPEG
JPEG · 2048px long edge · sRGB · Quality 85 · Screen sharpening · Copyright only
Client Full Resolution
JPEG · No resize · sRGB · Quality 95 · Screen sharpening · Copyright & Contact Info
Print Lab TIFF
TIFF · 16-bit · AdobeRGB · No resize · Standard sharpening (match paper type)