Photoshop: What is a Master File, and why do you need one?
Updated: 06/01/20
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Question:
- Photoshop is a program that works with a lot of data at once, and not all of that data can be kept in your computer's memory alone. So Photoshop saves a lot of your work to local 'scratch' files.
- In comparison, PSD is the native file format for Photoshop, a very popular photo editing software. With PSD, you only have Photoshop that can open the file. As a native format for Photoshop, PSD gives you a lot of flexibility with the things you can save into the file.
This wikiHow teaches you how to open an image and place an image in Photoshop. Opening an image in Photoshop will open an image to be editing. Placing an image will insert an image as a new layer in an existing Photoshop file. This is useful if you are combining elements of an image.
From Matthew S in San Diego, CA:
'Once you capture an image in RAW (or a 16-bit scan), what is the best way to save the image for printing purposes?
Or should I convert the image to another format? I typically convert everything to a maxquality JPG.
Laptop to phone transfer app. Supposedly any 'lossy' degradation will be unnoticed to the eye, or so I've been told. But, is this the best way? I'd love to have this clarified.'
Photoshop Document Online
Answer:
Before I can fully answer your question, Matt, you might want to review this post on my blog – mostly a wee bit technical, but well worth the time:
Once you read through it, you'll see why saving your important final images in JPG is not such a good idea, particularly from a technical standpoint …
So, what to do?
• Let me introduce you instead to the concept of a Master File– the absolute best way to properly prepare your important images for a multitude of uses, including printing.
• If a picture is truly worth a thousand words, then the chart above is an overall 'visual' representation of a proper Photoshop workflow for your important images – notice that everything is centered around the Master File(as an aside, you can download a free step-by-step 'linear' Workflow Chart that matches the chart above here).
Creating a Master File is NOT for every image:
Create Pdf In Photoshop
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/001-navigating-the-adobe-photoshop-menu-bar-4091953-c62399be77984240b74f37f1b07bc1be.jpg "Photoshop")
• It's exclusively for those images that are your best – – those images that you need & want to spend time with, doing all that's necessary to make your image 'pretty'.
• Here's where you pour your artistic 'blood, sweat and tears' into your image (for awesome results, use the methods shown in my book, 'Not Just Another Photoshop Book', available exclusively on Amazon) …
What is a 'Master File'?
• Technically – It's a 16-Bit, un-flattened, un-sharpened, un-cropped, un-resized file, designated as such in its file name, and saved as a TIFF or PSD.
Why create a Master File?
• It's Multi-purpose: Use it to create separate files for a specific print size or printer, for the Web, for magazine output, etc. and you'll stay consistent between those files.
• It's easily correctable: for color, contrast, cropping, enhancements, etc. non-destructively (loss of digital information).
• Sharpening is applied according to your print size: Let's say that your Master File is created from a RAW file – It might be around 13″x20' at 300 ppi – If you sharpen for this size and reduce the file to prep for a 4×6 print, it will be over-sharpened.
_____________________
So, bottom line, Matt: I'd strongly suggest you NOT save your final important images as a JPG, and consider the concept of a Master File for your important images, saved instead as a TIFF or PSD – and thanks for the great question!
___________________________________________________
PS – By the way: if you want a genuine, bonafide, certified 'pro' (me!) to create a Master File for your best images (AND make it a 'teachable moment'), that is a service I provide – more here: https://www.wattsdigital.com/masterfilecreation.html
What Is Microsoft Document Xps Writer
_______________________
Want to see some of the principles mentioned above in action? This free 'study' video perfectly encapsulates how best to use Photoshop, with a diverse range of images – includes copious notes, workflow chart, and more– click here: https://blog.main.wattsdigital.com/?p=2452
_______________________
• Was this information helpful?
Sign up for my free monthly newsletter here …
• By the way, this is all based on my Photoshop book designed for photographers, 'Not just another Photoshop Book', available exclusively on Amazon:
Questions? Please contact me – also, feel free to comment and tell your photography friends!
• It's exclusively for those images that are your best – – those images that you need & want to spend time with, doing all that's necessary to make your image 'pretty'.
• Here's where you pour your artistic 'blood, sweat and tears' into your image (for awesome results, use the methods shown in my book, 'Not Just Another Photoshop Book', available exclusively on Amazon) …
What is a 'Master File'?
• Technically – It's a 16-Bit, un-flattened, un-sharpened, un-cropped, un-resized file, designated as such in its file name, and saved as a TIFF or PSD.
Why create a Master File?
• It's Multi-purpose: Use it to create separate files for a specific print size or printer, for the Web, for magazine output, etc. and you'll stay consistent between those files.
• It's easily correctable: for color, contrast, cropping, enhancements, etc. non-destructively (loss of digital information).
• Sharpening is applied according to your print size: Let's say that your Master File is created from a RAW file – It might be around 13″x20' at 300 ppi – If you sharpen for this size and reduce the file to prep for a 4×6 print, it will be over-sharpened.
_____________________
So, bottom line, Matt: I'd strongly suggest you NOT save your final important images as a JPG, and consider the concept of a Master File for your important images, saved instead as a TIFF or PSD – and thanks for the great question!
___________________________________________________
PS – By the way: if you want a genuine, bonafide, certified 'pro' (me!) to create a Master File for your best images (AND make it a 'teachable moment'), that is a service I provide – more here: https://www.wattsdigital.com/masterfilecreation.html
What Is Microsoft Document Xps Writer
_______________________
Want to see some of the principles mentioned above in action? This free 'study' video perfectly encapsulates how best to use Photoshop, with a diverse range of images – includes copious notes, workflow chart, and more– click here: https://blog.main.wattsdigital.com/?p=2452
_______________________
• Was this information helpful?
Sign up for my free monthly newsletter here …
• By the way, this is all based on my Photoshop book designed for photographers, 'Not just another Photoshop Book', available exclusively on Amazon:
Questions? Please contact me – also, feel free to comment and tell your photography friends!
Thx again, and cheers,
John Watts ?
