Soft Proofing for PermaJet Papers: How to Match Your Screen to Your Prints

Soft proofing ensures that your prints match what you see on your screen, and using PermaJet ICC profiles makes this process even more accurate. This guide walks you through the steps of setting up soft proofing in Photoshop and Lightroom, adjusting colours for accurate printing, and selecting the best PermaJet paper for your needs. Whether you’re printing vibrant glossy images, archival fine art prints, or rich monochrome work, PermaJet has a paper to match. Plus, with my exclusive discount code (CHRISH10), you can save 10% on your PermaJet paper orders and take your prints to the next level!

Ever printed a photo only to find it looks nothing like what you saw on your screen? Maybe the colours are off, the contrast looks wrong, or the details just don’t pop the way they did digitally. This is where soft proofing comes in—a technique that helps photographers get predictable and accurate results when printing.

If you’re using PermaJet papers (which I highly recommend!), soft proofing can ensure your final print matches your vision. It’s all about colour accuracy, contrast management, and making informed tweaks before you hit the print button. Plus, as a PermaJet affiliate, I can offer you a 10% discount on all PermaJet paper when you use the code CHRISH10 at checkout.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through the steps of using PermaJet ICC profiles to ensure your prints look just as good as they do on your screen. I’ll also include links to some of the best PermaJet papers you can use for different types of prints.

What is Soft Proofing and Why Does It Matter?

Soft proofing is the process of simulating how your print will look on paper using your computer screen. It allows you to preview colour shifts, brightness adjustments, and tonal changes before printing.

Monitors display images using RGB light, while printers use CMYK inks. This difference means that some colours visible on your screen might not be accurately reproduced in print. Soft proofing helps you spot these differences in advance so you can make necessary corrections and avoid wasting ink and paper.

Setting Up Soft Proofing for PermaJet Papers

Before you begin, you’ll need:

A calibrated monitor (this is crucial!)
PermaJet’s ICC profiles (more on that below)
Adobe Photoshop or Lightroom
A high-quality PermaJet paper of your choice

Step 1: Download and Install PermaJet ICC Profiles

PermaJet provides custom ICC profiles for their papers to help you achieve accurate colour management. You can download them for free from PermaJet’s ICC Profile Page.

Once downloaded, install them by placing the ICC profile files into the correct location on your computer:

Windows: C:\Windows\System32\spool\drivers\color
Mac: Macintosh HD > Library > ColorSync > Profiles

Restart Photoshop or Lightroom to ensure they recognize the newly installed profiles.

Step 2: Calibrate Your Monitor

If your screen isn’t calibrated, soft proofing won’t be accurate. Using a hardware calibration tool like the X-Rite i1 Display Pro or Datacolor SpyderX ensures your monitor displays colours correctly. A properly calibrated monitor will help you make accurate adjustments before printing.

Step 3: Enable Soft Proofing in Photoshop

Open your image in Adobe Photoshop.
Go to View > Proof Setup > Custom.
In the Device to Simulate dropdown, select the PermaJet ICC profile for your paper.
Enable Simulate Paper Color and Simulate Black Ink to get a more accurate preview.
Click OK.

You will now see a preview of how your image will look when printed on the selected PermaJet paper.

Step 4: Adjust Your Image for Printing

Once soft proofing is enabled, you may notice subtle changes in your image. If certain colours look dull or washed out, you can make non-destructive edits to fix them.

Use the Hue/Saturation adjustment layer to tweak colours that may not print accurately.
Increase or decrease the contrast slightly if needed.
Adjust brightness to compensate for print darkness.
If needed, use the Selective Color adjustment to fine-tune specific tones.

Step 5: Print Using the Correct ICC Profile

When you’re ready to print:

Go to File > Print in Photoshop.
Under Color Handling, select Photoshop Manages Colors.
Choose the same PermaJet ICC profile you used in soft proofing.
Set your printer to No Color Management (this prevents double profiling issues).
Click Print and enjoy your perfectly matched PermaJet print!

Best PermaJet Papers for Different Types of Prints

For High-Impact, Glossy Prints

PermaJet Ultra Pearl 295 – Best for portraits, weddings, and travel photography.
PermaJet Gloss 271 – Perfect for commercial prints and vibrant landscapes.
PermaJet Titanium Lustre 280 – Adds a unique metallic finish for fashion and automotive shots.

For Fine Art and Archival Prints

PermaJet Portrait Rag 285 – Ideal for black and white photography.
PermaJet Museum Heritage 310 – A beautiful textured paper for gallery-quality prints.
PermaJet Matt Plus 240 – Best for soft, muted tones in fine art photography.

For Rich Baryta Finishes

PermaJet FB Gold Silk 315 – Perfect for deep blacks and smooth tonal transitions.
PermaJet FB Matt 285 – A great choice for monochrome photography with a fine art feel.

For Portfolios and Special Projects

PermaJet Double Sided Portfolio 230 – Ideal for self-published books and professional folios.
PermaJet Photo Art Silk 290 – Great for high-end fashion and portrait work.

Exclusive PermaJet Discount Code

If you want to try any of these fantastic PermaJet papers, don’t forget to use my affiliate discount code CHRISH10 to get 10% off your order at checkout.

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Christopher James Hall.

Award-Winning Photographer | Founder of CJHF | Photography Mentor

Christopher James Hall is an award-winning wedding, portrait, and headshot photographer, as well as the founder of CJHF, a foundation dedicated to raising awareness of social challenges through photography.

His journey into photography began in 2015 after overcoming two years of homelessness. Through passion and determination, he built a successful career in wedding, portrait, and headshot photography, capturing meaningful moments and helping individuals present their best selves. His expertise and creative vision have earned him recognition in the industry.

Alongside his professional photography, Christopher runs CJHF, using photography to shed light on social issues and empower marginalised individuals. His exhibitions and projects give a platform to unheard voices, using real stories and imagery to inspire change.

Christopher is also a dedicated photography mentor, offering guidance and training to help photographers refine their skills and build their own careers.

Click the button below to find out more.

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