Exercise - sharpening for print

I needed to take an image with some edge detail and some smooth areas, a portrait would be ideal, with the eyes carrying wanted detail and the skin smooth areas that I don't want over sharpened. A first reference point image was to be taken with 3 further images of the same but each with different post processing for sharpening. After printing all 4 images, I reviewed the printed versions against each other and the images on screen at 100% magnification. 

Reference point image:

No sharpening

Minimal sharpening
Slightly sharpened. On 100% magnification there is a blue line around the jaw line and is more pixilated, as were the edges of the nose and eyes as a result. The eyebrow hairs were noticeably different and looked out of focus as a result of the sharpening, the left side of the image seemed more focused and obviously sharper

Moderate sharpening (110)
At 100% magnification - the jaw line is further pixilated and under the chin looks very soft.

Maximum sharpening (150)
Same as above but softer, sharpness of the focused eye is lost with the overall softening effect.

Looking at the printed versions the first and obvious difference in the printed compared to the on screen versions was the colour, the paper versions are darker, with more shadows, the colour on the screen is brighter and seems sharper. Looking at comparison of sharpness, as Sophie has such gorgeous young skin it was difficult to see an improvement in tone, but on magnification it was clear to see the softening effect. The eye in focus remained sharp with in all the images, but with the other eye (Sophie's left), became much softer which in turn looked less sharp as the process went on, I preferred somewhere in between minimal to moderate sharpening.

Conclusion - sharpening too much will soften edges and lines, pixilating as a result, the outcome being an ironic loss of sharpness. Skin tone is softened but too much can create a hazy finish, so I guess its all about the desired outcome that should be assessed. It would depend on the subject as to how much sharpening I would use ie the age and skin tone of the individual in the case of a portrait.