How Checking Your Image File for Gamut Issues in Photoshop Can Save You Time and Money in Printing

Feb 262 min read

With Photo Printing on the Gold Coast. Have you ever found that the colours look dull, muted, or completely different from what you saw on your screen, chances are you've encountered out-of-gamut colours. Understanding how to check and correct this in Adobe Photoshop before printing can save you time, money, and frustration.

What Does "Out of Gamut" Mean?

A gamut refers to the range of colors that a device can accurately reproduce.

When a color in your image is out of gamut, it means that your printer cannot accurately reproduce it, often leading to dull, unexpected shifts in colour.

How to Check for Gamut Issues in Photoshop

Before sending your file to print, follow these simple steps in Photoshop to avoid costly reprints:

Enable Gamut Warning

Go to View > Gamut Warning (Shortcut: Shift + Ctrl/Cmd + Y).
Any out-of-gamut colors will be highlighted in gray.

Fix Out-of-Gamut Colors

Use Adjustment Layers: The easiest way to correct out-of-gamut colors is to adjust Hue/Saturation or Selective Color to bring them back within range.
Soft Proofing: Use View > Proof Colors with your printer profile (ICC profile) to preview and tweak colors before printing.

Why This Saves You Time & Money

✅ Avoid Reprints – Catching gamut issues before sending to print prevents costly mistakes.

✅ Better Color Accuracy – Your final print will closely match what you expect.

✅ Professional Results – Whether for clients or personal projects, properly prepared images will look polished and high-quality.

At Gold Coast Prints, we specialise in fine art photo printing, ensuring your images look stunning and true to your vision. If you need help checking for gamut issues, reach out to us—we’ll make sure your prints come out perfect the first time!