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DPChallenge Forums >> Tips, Tricks, and Q&A >> How do I calibrate my monitor/printer/camera?
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 02/22/2006 03:50:36 PM · #1
Hello I am trying to figure out the best way for me to calibrate all my devices so that the shot displayed on my LCD is going to look about the same on my computer and printed assuming I made no changes/touch ups.

I am using a Nikon D50, Samsung LCD monitor (forget model off hand), and an Epson R300 printer.

Any suggestions?

Thanks!
 02/22/2006 03:56:00 PM · #2
Optixx
 02/22/2006 04:02:16 PM · #3
Heh...I guess I should have thrown in the word 'FREE.'

I am aware of retail solutions, but I am looking for a comparable poor man's alternative.

Thanks though.
 02/22/2006 04:05:06 PM · #4
Sorry! Free calibration is Trial and error with you monitor adjustment and printer settings. At least I am not aware of a free software solution except the calibration plugin in photoshop.
Good luck!
 02/22/2006 04:34:24 PM · #5
Originally posted by thegrandwazoo:
Sorry! Free calibration is Trial and error with you monitor adjustment and printer settings. At least I am not aware of a free software solution except the calibration plugin in photoshop.
Good luck!

How well does the calibration plugin in Photoshop work? And how do you get there? I'm trying to find some sort of free calibration tool too.
 02/22/2006 04:46:46 PM · #6
It comes with photoshop its called "Adobe Gamma Control panel" if you have windows its in \Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Calibration

Its a simple program it dosent do everything and you still have to make adjustments to your printer but its a start. The control panel used to be called Knoll gamma corrector it was created by the Knoll brothers who helped create photoshop.

Edit: Spelling

Message edited by author 2006-02-22 16:47:30.
 02/22/2006 05:01:44 PM · #7
Bump
 02/22/2006 05:55:37 PM · #8
Even with monitor calibration hardware/software (I know, I use a Spyder) you can get close but not exactly right on.

Calibration from screen to print depends on these factors:
1-Monitor calibration (covered here already):
Old monitors cannot be calibrated. Even the type of light you have on your desk or office affects how the screen appears.
2-Printer and driver software:
Some printers, and Epson is one, don't do as good a job at converting the image to printer commands as they should. Is the printer clean? Are you using the correct inks, are your inks low?... etc.? All these factors affect how close your print is to what you see on the screen.
3-Paper and ink:
You need to have a printer profile built for the paper and ink you use and for your printer. Not just a profile for your printer brand, but for YOUR ACTUAL printer. You need one profile for each printer, paper and ink combination you will be printing with.

Then, of course, to be accurate you have to select the correct printer profile in "proof setup" and select the "rendering intent" for how you are going to print it for a final Photoshop adjustment to the screen appearance for greatest accuracy.

Also, you have to be sure that you let Photoshop do all the color management for printing and NOT the printer. If you let the printer do the color management then it is guaranteed it will not match. And if you let both Photoshop and the printer color manage you will screw things up royal!

Lastly, you have to select the same printer profile and rendering intent you selected in "proof setup" when you send it to the printer. If they are not the same and all other things are perfect the screen and print will still not be the same.

Any questions? LOL!!!
 02/23/2006 09:33:28 AM · #9
"Any questions? LOL!!!"

Um...Actually no, that makes sense.
I'll give this a try this evening and let you know my results and/or additional problems that I may encounter.

Thanks!
 03/15/2006 10:51:00 PM · #10
Hello,

I'm quite disappointed by trying to calibrate manually my monitor and printer. Looking for experience in tools like: OPTIXX by Monaco and SPYDER 2 SUITE by ColorVision.

Thanks
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