Pictures look good on my computer but not as good when printed
May 26, 2012 09:41:58 #
Can anyone tell me why my pictures look good on my computer but when I have them printed they do not look as good?
May 26, 2012 12:16:06 #
J, It's a matter of perception. When you view them on your screen they're back lit and really sparkle. Most printers, print darker than you what you see on the screen. Do some experimenting and make the photos a little too light for the screen and they should print correctly.
If your using LR4, you can make this adjustment in the Print module.
If your using LR4, you can make this adjustment in the Print module.
May 26, 2012 12:31:58 #
If it is just a matter of the photos coming out darker then Franks suggestion will work. You can also reduce the brightness of the monitor to match the prints. That way, when you edit them you will automatically be making them brighter. If the colors are off, then you need to calibrate your monitor to match your printer. Do a google search and you will find tons of information on how to do this and what equipment you will need.
May 26, 2012 17:08:09 #
Frank T wrote:
Right, when I print a pic from my card, I always lighten the exposure a little because my printer always prints a little darker than what shows on my moniter.J, It's a matter of perception. When you view them on your screen they're back lit and really sparkle. Most printers, print darker than you what you see on the screen. Do some experimenting and make the photos a little too light for the screen and they should print correctly.
If your using LR4, you can make this adjustment in the Print module.
If your using LR4, you can make this adjustment in the Print module.
May 26, 2012 18:25:33 #
Calibrate your monitor. This is essential if your want to see accurate colors before printing.
Seach UGG for "monitor calibration". There is weath of previous discussion, advice and information sources.
Seach UGG for "monitor calibration". There is weath of previous discussion, advice and information sources.
May 26, 2012 21:30:22 #
I just experienced this same problem and happened to just visit this topic and got my problem solved too. Thanks all
May 27, 2012 06:31:03 #
The software that comes with a printer can be biased in its output. Suggestions given are very good. I own two printers. When I print on one comes out dark with some cold shift. When I print on the other exact same print comes out perfect. Go tell.
May 27, 2012 07:35:22 #
Calibrate your monitor for sure. I use Qimage Ultimate and with the calibration and using this program my images print almost on the money from what I see on my monitor.
May 27, 2012 08:48:13 #
Ann B
Loc: Northeast Indiana
Another thought -- viewing photos on your computer & on the internet you should have them in RGB mode. To print them you should have them in CMYK mode. I just had a scrapbook made & forgot to change the cover to CMYK, the blue looks almost purple & the red kind of maroon on the cover. The inside where I used the same background it is the blue & red that I was expecting.
May 27, 2012 09:52:57 #
Never knew that - will give it a try. Just thought of a question - do you change computer or printer or both?
May 27, 2012 17:18:09 #
Festina Lente wrote:
Calibrate your monitor. This is essential if your want to see accurate colors before printing.
Seach UGG for "monitor calibration". There is weath of previous discussion, advice and information sources.
Seach UGG for "monitor calibration". There is weath of previous discussion, advice and information sources.
Does calibrating the monitor only pertain to accurate colors, or does it give accurate exposure as well?
May 27, 2012 18:48:20 #
Ann B wrote:
Another thought -- viewing photos on your computer & on the internet you should have them in RGB mode. To print them you should have them in CMYK mode. I just had a scrapbook made & forgot to change the cover to CMYK, the blue looks almost purple & the red kind of maroon on the cover. The inside where I used the same background it is the blue & red that I was expecting.
Depends on where you are having them printed.
Most printers have a particular color profile.
For those that prefer it, CMYK conversions can get tricky, and there are several CMYK color spaces to choose from.
The offset printers we use request Adobe RGB and do their own CMYK conversions.
CMYK is the smallest color space.
The questions I didn't see being asked or answered are: Where are you having these printed? Are you doing it yourself or sending it out?
http://www.cambridgeincolour.com/color-management-printing.htm
Another thing that can affect your preception of the photo is your surroundings. If the room you are working in has any sort of colored walls, odd lighting windows, etc, it can make a difference too. I have a viewing booth for checking printer's proofs.
May 27, 2012 18:56:58 #
Glen wrote:
Does calibrating the monitor only pertain to accurate colors, or does it give accurate exposure as well?
Festina Lente wrote:
Calibrate your monitor. This is essential if your want to see accurate colors before printing.
Seach UGG for "monitor calibration". There is weath of previous discussion, advice and information sources.
Seach UGG for "monitor calibration". There is weath of previous discussion, advice and information sources.
Does calibrating the monitor only pertain to accurate colors, or does it give accurate exposure as well?
It pertains to exposure also. Monitors are usually very bright because that makes them look great to the buyer but that means that for adjusting exposure on a photo...they will be dark...you are getting fooled.
I calibrated my monitor and found that it was MUCH too blue and MUCH too bright...
It was a real wake up call when I saw my colors for real....yuk.... :)
May 27, 2012 19:05:26 #
Ann B wrote:
Another thought -- viewing photos on your computer & on the internet you should have them in RGB mode. To print them you should have them in CMYK mode. I just had a scrapbook made & forgot to change the cover to CMYK, the blue looks almost purple & the red kind of maroon on the cover. The inside where I used the same background it is the blue & red that I was expecting.
No. this is NOT a good idea for your home printer. The CMYK color space is smaller than sRGB. The printer does use CMYK inks, but it makes the RGB to CMYK conversion on its own.
If you send a file in CMYK, the printer driver is expecting an RGB file and will probably try to convert CMYK to CMYK - making a double conversion. Calibrating your monitor and making sure the monitor is not too bright should get you really close. Be sure you are using the right brand of paper for your printer - many third-party papers do well, but for whatever reason Kodak paper and Epson printers seem to be a terrible mix.
May 27, 2012 20:17:57 #
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