Monitor Calibration ??

[fitzperry]

I think I recall someone here recommending the Spyder2 suite recently. Does anyone here know exactly how the printer profiler works (actually, not so much how it works, but how you use it and what it can do)? Anyone recommend a different product? I'm sick and tired of getting prints that don't look like what I see on my monitor.

Edited to add: As I understand it, you can change the color profile of an image in PS to correspond to the printer's profile. Do I really need something else? I'm kind of lost on this one!

 

[fitzperry]

Anyone?

Maybe if I ask a slightly different question . . . .
Is it worth it to spend $150-$200 on software and a calibration gizmo when I order most of my prints on-line?

 

[Anewman]

When you print from PHOTOSHOP(depending on calibration software), you must use the PRINT WITH PREVIEW menu.

There will be some options such as letting the printer determine colors or letting PHOTOSHOP do it, almost positive you would select photoshop.

And there is an option to select printer profile, with some you will use one created by software and some you will select something like SRGB.

And you would also need to go to your printer menu and make some adjustments depending on printer. manual color vs Auto color type of settings.


B4 you calibrate I would play around with the above printer and photoshop settings to see if there is a combination that helps.


Now my question is are you having Color issues or Gamma Issues?

 

[Anewman]

Yes Calibrations helps get more consistant results from online/b&m printers/labs.

But it only works if you make them turn off AUTO CORRECTIONS or you may as well not calibrate.

 

[boBQuincy]

It depends...

If the place where you send your prints has a profiled printer and you want your prints to match your monitor... probably.

You mentioned a printer profiler (which I do not have) so I didn't respond to your first question. If you actually mean a monitor profiler, I have the Spyder 2 and it works very well... usually.

Usually, as in *if* the paper has a good profile. Ilford and Konica/Minolta (Office Depot photo) papers do and they are pretty close to "what I see is what I get". Some paper profiles are not so good on my Canon i9900, of course Canon papers work well.

Check what printer your source uses and if you can apply that profile to your monitor (and your image editor) you should see a dramatic improvement in the color accuracy. Color is tricky and difficult to set up but the results are worth it.


boB

 

[fitzperry]

Now my question is are you having Color issues or Gamma Issues?

Feeling foolish, but how can I tell the difference?

Yes Calibrations helps get more consistant results from online/b&m printers/labs.

But it only works if you make them turn off AUTO CORRECTIONS or you may as well not calibrate.

That is what led me to believe I need to calibrate--I've tried turning off the auto corrections a couple of times because I didn't want to waste my time PSing images only to have Kodakgallery or Shutterfly make their own changes. On those occasions, I ended up with very dark, dull prints.

Edited to add--I also recently tried Mpix and ordered copies of several images I'd had printed before by Kodakgallery. Most of the Mpix prints were brighter, but a few were were much darker. I was very confused by the inconsistency.

 

[fitzperry]

You mentioned a printer profiler (which I do not have) so I didn't respond to your first question. If you actually mean a monitor profiler, I have the Spyder 2 and it works very well... usually.

Check what printer your source uses and if you can apply that profile to your monitor (and your image editor) you should see a dramatic improvement in the color accuracy. Color is tricky and difficult to set up but the results are worth it.

The Spyder2 Suite (about $150 on Amazon currently) includes "PrintFIX PLUS Printer Profiling Software." The Spyder2 monitor profiler alone is under $70. I guess what I don't understand (among other things ) is why I would need the printer profiling software if I can find out what kind of equipment the "lab" is using and apply that profile to my equipment.