AI-generated editorial illustration from the Shutterbug News archive; not a photograph of a reported event.
An export preset is useful when it represents a real destination. A label such as high quality says little about dimensions, format or metadata. Begin with the requirements of a client, publication or website and translate those into a repeatable export.
Name the purpose clearly
Choose a preset name that identifies the destination and the important specification. In Lightroom Classic, configure the export settings for the required file type, dimensions and other delivery choices, then save the preset. Adobe’s export guide describes the application workflow.
Check sharpening, color space and metadata deliberately rather than inheriting settings from the last unrelated job. If the recipient supplies specifications, keep a copy with the project so later revisions can be checked against the same requirements.
Test the file outside the editor
Export a representative photograph and open it independently. Confirm its pixel dimensions, orientation, filename and appearance. Inspect the information included in the file where that matters to the delivery. A correctly named preset can still contain the wrong settings.
Once verified, use the preset as a starting point and review it when destination requirements change. Keep temporary exports separate from the approved delivery set. The value of a preset is fewer repeated decisions, not the elimination of a final check. A small test now can prevent an entire gallery from being delivered at the wrong size or with unintended information attached.
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Source and further reading: Adobe Lightroom Classic export workflow. Checked October 8, 2026.
