HELP needed for printing...

[nidus_22]

I print my images in a local digital Lab. Seldom do I get what i see on my monitor. Looking at a few of my prints, I tried to modify my JPEGS before printing in a way so that I cud get the result as I wanted. But that turned to be bigger disaster.
I have to print 15-20 of my best shots in 10"-12" before the festival season here starts.
I have spectrophotometer available with me at my workplace. So I can measure Lab values on almost anything.
Cud I somehow create a test print on my monitor, get it printed and evaluate the Lab values, and then create a curve to be applied before giving my images to print. What was in my mind was, to print a white to black / red to green / yellow to blue gradation, note the Lab values shown by Photoshop, then get it printed and measure the actual lab values. Comparing the actual and Photoshop values will I be able to creat a curve (in Lab mode). Will it work? I guess I will need to use only the Lightness curve.

OR IS THERE ANY BETTER TECHNIQUE TO IT?

Plz help me out...

[nidus_22]

NO responses !!??

[chris.bailey]

Wow. Give people some time!

Have you calibrated your monitor and is it set-up correctly in respect of gamma etc? Do you leave it on for a while before starting?

Does your lab provide output profiles for their printers?

Even with the above expect minor variations in colour due to the differences in the way different devices render out of gamut colours.

[PhotosGuy]

There are some good test prints here to start with:
http://www.gballard.net/psd/srgbforwww.html Have you calibrated your monitor and is it set-up correctly in respect of gamma etc? Important question!