How to Export Images from Adobe Lightroom CC

After spending time editing your photos in Lightroom, the last step is exporting them so you can share, upload, or print them. The export process is where you choose the file format, resolution, quality, and sharpening settings. Getting these right makes a big difference. Export too low and the image looks blurry. Export too high and you are wasting disk space and upload time with no visible benefit.

Today I go over how to export images from Adobe Lightroom CC with the right settings for different use cases.

How to Export Images from Lightroom

Starting the Export

1. In the Library or Develop module, hover over the image you want to export.
2. Right click and choose Export, or go to File > Export.
3. Choose the destination folder where you want to save the exported file.
4. Rename the file if you want. This is optional but helpful for organization.

Export Settings for Web and Social Media

These settings create a file that is optimized for screens. Good quality, reasonable file size.

5. Under File Settings, set the format to JPEG. This is the most compatible format for web use.
6. Set Quality to 85-90. This range gives you nearly indistinguishable quality from 100% while cutting the file size significantly. Going from 85 to 100 quality roughly doubles the file size with almost no visible difference.
7. Set Color Space to sRGB. This is the standard color space for screens. Using anything else (like Adobe RGB or ProPhoto RGB) can cause colors to look wrong on most monitors and browsers.
8. Under Image Sizing, check Resize to Fit and select Long Edge from the dropdown.
9. Set the long edge to 2048 pixels at 72 pixels per inch. This is large enough for sharp viewing on any screen, including retina displays, while keeping the file size manageable.
10. Under Output Sharpening, check the box, select Sharpen for Screen, and set the amount to Low or Standard. This applies a subtle sharpening optimized for digital display.
11. Click Export.

Export Settings for Print

For prints, you want the highest quality file possible.

12. Set the format to JPEG with quality at 100, or use TIFF for lossless quality.
13. Set Color Space to sRGB for most consumer printers, or Adobe RGB if your print lab specifically requests it.
14. Under Image Sizing, uncheck Resize to Fit. You want the full resolution image.
15. Set the resolution to 300 pixels per inch. This is the standard for high-quality prints.
16. Under Output Sharpening, select Sharpen for Matte or Sharpen for Glossy depending on your paper type. Set the amount to Standard.
17. Click Export. The file will be larger but will print at full quality.

Quick Reference

Use Case	Format	Quality	Size	Resolution	Color Space
Web/Social	JPEG	85-90	Long edge 2048px	72 ppi	sRGB
Email	JPEG	75-85	Long edge 1200px	72 ppi	sRGB
Print	JPEG/TIFF	100	Full resolution	300 ppi	sRGB/Adobe RGB
Archive	TIFF	Lossless	Full resolution	Native	ProPhoto RGB

Tips

• Save export presets. Once you dial in settings you like, click Add in the preset panel on the left side of the Export dialog. Next time you can apply the preset in one click.
• Batch export. Select multiple images in the Library module (Ctrl/Cmd+click or Shift+click) and export them all at once with the same settings.
• Quality 85 is the sweet spot for web. Almost no one can tell the difference between 85 and 100 quality JPEG. But the file size difference is dramatic.
• For more Lightroom techniques, check out 10 Lightroom tips you should know or how to use the brush tool.

That is how you export images from Lightroom. The key is matching your export settings to how the image will be used. Web images can be smaller and more compressed. Print images need full resolution and higher quality. Save your presets and the process takes just a few seconds.