This is a common issue when prints don't match your screen preview. Here are the main causes and how to fix them:
Common reasons: - Your screen is too bright or not colour-calibrated - You haven't soft-proofed using the paper's ICC profile — each paper renders differently - The paper itself absorbs light differently than your screen emits it (especially matte papers, which appear darker than glossy)
How to fix it:
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Soft-proof before printing — Use your paper's ICC profile in Photoshop or Lightroom to simulate how the image will actually render on that specific substrate. Set rendering intent to Perceptual and enable Black Point Compensation.
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Calibrate your monitor — An uncalibrated screen is often too bright, making prints look dark by comparison.
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Check your paper choice — Matte papers naturally deepen blacks and reduce contrast compared to glossy. If you soft-proof first, you'll see this effect before committing to a print run.
theprintspace publishes ICC profiles for every paper they offer, so you can preview exactly how your image will look on each one before ordering.
If this is a finished product you've already created and sold, contact info@theprintspace.co.uk with details and sample images — they can advise on reprints or adjustments.