monitor and printer calibration - what's the REAL deal?

[Rudi]

Hi everyone,

What is the best way to calibrate your system so that WYSIWYG with regards to inkjet prints? I use an Epson printer as well as all-Epson consumables, and overall don't have too many problems, but the colour BLUE is a real problem to get right in my prints! This is a real problem with prints where the focus of attention is the sky, or a blue flower. The resulting print always seems to be too purple or too green, never the right amount of blue! It is most probably something not noticed in all my other prints, but it's driving me batty at the moment

I have tried different setting and colour profiles, and nothing has been perfect so far. What profiles do you people use, and what tricks are there to bring me closer to the ideal? Please share all, as I need all the help I can get. My monitor is set up with Adobe Gamma, and is as close to a match as I can tell. But maybe there is a better way! Help! Share all you can... :)

The thing is, I will gladly pay to purchase a colour profile for my printer, I just want one that will WORK!

[ken-w]

Rudi wrote:

to the ideal? Please share all, as I need all the help I can get. My monitor is set up with Adobe Gamma, and is as close to a match as I can tell. But maybe there is a better way! Help! Share all you can... :)

Hi Rudi - I don't have a quick answer but a website with information in exhaustive detail about the subject can be found at: www.aim-dtp.net

Ken

[pigasus]

Big topic, Rudi!

But here's what I have done.

I calibrate my printer with ColorVision's Spyder and Photocal software. As my monitor has individually adjustable colour guns, I get an excellent result (much better than I could get with Adobe Gamma). Using the Epson driver (with it's built in profiles) I got very acceptable results when comparing the prints made with Epson inks to the screen. But not perfect, as you've said, particularly so with the blues.

Part of the problem is that because the Epson profiles are built into the driver on PC's (there are actually true profiles available if using a MAC), you can't view a proof image in PS by calling on the specific printer driver.

So the solution is to have profiles made for your printer. Only problem is that each paper and ink combination requires its own profile. You could either buy profiles from one of the guys who make them professionally (at up to $100 a profile), or you could buy profiling software and make them yourself. To get a really accurate profile, you need a package that includes a spectrometer ($1000+). The packages based on using scanners are cheaper but not so good.

As I now use nonEpson inks, I had to have specific profiles made for my printer. Viewing the proof of the image in PS by specifiying the specific printer profile and then printing in PS, again specifiying the specific profile, rather than the generic Epson printer colour management, I get excellent results. The blues are much truer. But don't forget, 100% matching is not possible as it is all highly dependent on what type of light you are viewing the photos in.

Hope this has helped. :)

[Roger_Cavanagh]

Rudi,

I think Sally has given good advice. I have just used Adobe Gamma to calibrate my monitor. I don't have fancy one like Sally :) that has separate guns. For my amateur use, I couldn't justify a high-end calibration system.


I did buy specific profiles for my printer/paper. I have an Epson 2000P. I got a couple of the Jon Cone profiles for the Epson paper I use from www.inkjetmall.com. They have worked well for me.

Regards,

[Rudi]

Roger,

looking at the web page you supplied, they sell profiles for my printer for $175. Does that include profiles for several types of paper?

I have already managed to track down www.chromix.com, who will make me a custom profile for MY printer and one paper type for $99. Of course, this should be an extremely accurate match, with the disadvantage that I have to pay more for other types of papers, and again when I get a new printer or replace the printer head...

I cannot justify the cost of a Spyder, either, but that is a monitor issue, and I am assured that AdobeGamma should get me close enough. So far I think it has.

I would like to get closer in print than what I am now (I still get close, but it usually requires several small test prints, and this is not always convenient, and definitely not cost effective).

Thanks for all your help so far.

[Rudi]

Sally,

are your third-party inks supplied with an ICC profile for your printer, or did you get them elsewhere?

BTW, thanks for your help with this. It has been driving me nuts for some time... :)

[Rudi]

ken-w wrote:
Hi Rudi - I don't have a quick answer but a website with information in exhaustive detail about the subject can be found at: www.aim-dtp.net

Ken


Thanks for that link, Ken!

[pigasus]

Rudi wrote:
Sally,

are your third-party inks supplied with an ICC profile for your printer, or did you get them elsewhere?


I'm using inks called 'OEM Match' (originally supplied by NoMoreCarts) in my NMC's continuous ink system. They do not come with profiles. Too many potential paper options, I guess, as not just Epson papers would need to be considered. So I had them made for MY printer by a guy here in the UK (Udo Machiels). If you're having them made for you it's easiest to find someone locally, as you need to post them your initial prints. Udo was very helpful and guarantees the results be satifactory - or you don't pay him. I had profiles made for three papers - Epson MPH, Epson PGPP and Epson PP. I use a non Epson Photo Quality Inkjet paper as well and have found the PP profile to be a good match.

I bought enough ink, in the same batch, to last me nearly 3 years. When it runs out, it may be time for a new printer. :) I reckon I'm saving enough on not having to buy Epson carts to more than cover the cost of the Continuous Ink System plus profiles.

[Roger_Cavanagh]

Rudi wrote:
Roger,

looking at the web page you supplied, they sell profiles for my printer for $175. Does that include profiles for several types of paper?

That's a different price from what I paid. I checked for my printer (Epson 2kP) and the USD175 seems to be for a whole bunch of profiles. Much better tvalue than my purchase. :( I guess they changed the product structure.

Regards,