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16 bit

Posted: Thu Sep 24, 2026 8:09 pm
by cosinus
Hi,
I have a question regarding how PrintFab for Mac handles 16-bit images (e.g., 16-bit TIFF files).
Does PrintFab maintain full 16-bit color depth throughout its processing pipeline, or are 16-bit images converted/reduced to 8-bit on their way to the printer?
If a reduction to 8-bit occurs, does this downsampling happen before or after the ICC profile / PrintFab color management engine is applied?
(I am currently testing this on a trial version of the Home L license).
Thanks!

Re: 16 bit

Posted: Fri Sep 25, 2026 8:35 am
by zedonet
Hello cosinus,

when printing from PrintFab Composer 16-bit images maintain the full 16-bit color depth in the processing for the printer (color correction, rasterization, etc), however when printing from standard applications via PrintFab as printer driver the images are reduced to 8 bit by the printing system before they are received by the driver.

Re: 16 bit

Posted: Fri Sep 25, 2026 10:59 am
by cosinus
Thank you. It's nice to hear that.