Monitor Calibration

Dundhoone

I was pretty sure I had my monitor calibrated, using all the online stuff.

I had'nt printed anything in ages (1 yr +) and got back some stuff from photobox recently which was way oversaturated and dark.

Is a 80 quid spyder 2 the only way to go?

I presume its a once off procedure - which makes it a bit pricey! Anyone in the limerick area want to rent me one?

edit: Just read some old threads.....Calibration once a month! I know backlights fade , but really? That often?

quilmore

CRT will go off the calibration much quicker than LCD
I have a spyder2express
there are others out there but none as cheap

that will give you a calibrated screen
but if you want to calibrate a printer that's another matter (one I'm looking forward these days)

I've had the same issue with photobox, dark and dull, that's why I moved to foto.com

I remember one guy selling an all-in-one monitor calibrator and printer profiler for about 500, I wish it was a lot cheaper

it works printing a jpg that comes with the software and then the thing will scan each colour and generate a printer profile so what you see on screen is really what gets printed

Dundhoone

Thanks for the reply.

I really thought I had ticked a box someplace for some pre-printing post processing - I suppose it would make sense if they were tweaking images a little before printing for those who dont photoshop.

I decided a while back that I wouldnt print my own. I had a decent canon a4 and remember a lot of messing about trying to get image to match print. And it was no fun!

quilmore

when I said "it works printing a jpg that comes with the software" I meant printed by whoever you're sending your pictures to be printed (photobox, foto, etc)
it has to be the same one you'll use later to print your pictures

Dundhoone

Ok,

If im understanding it right, you are saying that calibration of my monitor is dependant on what printer colour values im calibrating to?

So when you setup your spyder or whatever , it asks you what your output printer will be?

Am in the ballpark with this????

quilmore

no, display and printer calibration are independent
you can have your display calibrated to display colours as the standard say they should be displayed

but then a JPG can be printed differently in different printers
so if you tune a picture to have perfect colours in your calibrated screen, it still will produce different printouts depending on where do you print it with

a calibrated display with a custom made printer profile will give you the best results as what you see on screen IS what is going to be on paper when printed

Dundhoone

Its amazing what you forget!

I remember getting that canon printer to a reasonable state vs monitor image. I then used some kodak printer paper and had to start again - different result completely.

Right, foto.com it is then. failing that, I'll order a spyder.

thanks.

quilmore

foto.com worked for me, I'm not saying it will work for you

display calibration is still something you need to do in order to see colours/contrast/brightness properly
look for a second hand spyder, I've seen some going for as low as 50 euro

Dundhoone

Im holding you personally responsible, be prepared to get the BLAME ...muahahhaaahha

Ah no, I think you are right, I'll get me a spyder.