Unchecking Print Resolution - need clarification, need Jeff Schewe

Question

Seeking clarification on using the print module in LR. Have read several threads in which Jeff Schewe (Jeff, are you there?)suggests that you use your file as a master file in LR and that if you uncheck the print resolution box, you can print multiple sizes of an image by merely changing the print size in LR, provided you uncheck the print resolution box.
Want to make sure that I've got this workflow right. You do your edits in LR and process your raw file. Then bring the file into CS3 for whatever other tweaks are needed. Add a layer and do your output sharpening on this layer, but don't go up to the Image, Image Size command. Do your sharpening without resizing or resampling.
My RAW files come into CS3 with a resolution of 240 pixels/inch. This is the native resolution?? After sharpening in CS3 (without resizing or resampling), bring the file back into LR. In the print module, uncheck print resolution (LR shows the resolution as being 240 ppi)and enter the height and width of the print size (not the paper size, but the print size) in the cell size. Go into page setup (Windows) which will take you into your print driver. On my Epson r2400 this is where I choose sheet vs roll, paper type, print quality, click ICM, then click off. Ok my way out of the Epson driver back to LR. On the white page layout in the center of the print module, LR will give me a new ppi reading. In my workflow, I typically print at 8x12 inches, so now LR is telling me that it is at 275 ppi. Pick profile and rendering intent in color management. As long as the read out for my print size in the white center section of lightroom reads between 180-480ppi, then at this point I am good to go and click print.
Have I got it? Am I missing something? Please, enlighten me.
Will LR provide a superior print to CS3 or is it six of one, half dozen of the other?
Thanks,
Cynthia

Answer 1

First off, it's poor form to address posts in a public forum to single individuals...this is a forum and ALL members should be encouraged to post...this is akin to asking for an answer to a question be sent directly by email.
The resolution of raw files is xxxxpixels by xxxxpixels. That's the only way to think of resolution in Lightroom. As a result, the image may be said to be 240, 300, 360 or 480 PPI depending on the size the image will print. A small print, held closer will need more PPI than a large print hung on a wall. So the resolution of a raw file will vary depending on the size of the final cropped & printed image. As long as the PPI of the image size is between 180-480 PPI you really have no reason for up or down sampling...
When I work on an image in Photoshop from Lightroom, I'll have an image print size in mind. I use softproofing for final tweaks to the image-often applied locally and set the PPI (Image Size without resample) to the size I want then use PhotoKit Sharpener for the resulting pixel density. Then hit save and print from Lightroom.
The -Edit file in Lightroom has the pixel density I speced in Photoshop and the softproofing tweaks as well. I then print form Lightroom-not so much because Lightroom is capable of producing BETTER prints...but because I find it quicker and easier to print with LR's print environment.
If I want to make a different sized print (or a print on different papaer requiring a different profile) I'll open the tiff image into Photoshop from Lightroom using the Edit Original...my original tiff file with all layers pops open, I'll make whatever changes I need and hit save again...so that one master tiff file becomes my print mater file with all the layers I may need to either use, or turn off if I don't need them. The same image, if printed 4x6 will have different pixel density than a 13x19" print, thus I'll have tow separat sets of output shaprening. But I don't need to resample the image, I resize without resampling checked to change the ratio and density.
And yes, all of this with Lightroom's print module set to no resampling and no sharpening...minor changes in the image cell size in LR don't require going back into Photoshop for resizing...