Calibrating monitor for printing pictures
Dec 8, 2014 19:16:47 #
Does anyone know if you have to calibrate a computer monitor to match what you are seeing when you use a photo program. It seems like when I get the picture right on my monitor then print it, it turns out more shiny and dark then what is on my screen. I use an led monitor with and H.P printer and glossy photo paper. Here is the picture I used but hard to show what it looked like after I printed it.
Dec 8, 2014 20:00:51 #
Dec 8, 2014 20:33:08 #
Dec 8, 2014 20:42:51 #
What you need is a monitor calibrator such as Spyder or Colormunki. Either one should give you good results. I use the Spyder 4 and as soon as I started using it I got much better prints.
Dec 8, 2014 20:50:56 #
Dec 8, 2014 21:15:36 #
Dec 8, 2014 21:30:09 #
I use the Spyder 4 Pro. It calibrates the monitor indepently from any programs so it will work with whatever sofware you re using. I have 2 monitors and it calibrates them separately and creates a profile for each. That way they match.
Dec 8, 2014 21:31:48 #
nyhttrain wrote:
Where can I get this at and will it be compatible with my photo programs? Thanks.
The calibration tools are stand-alone. They have nothing to do with your photo programs. Their purpose is to ensure your monitor displays color correctly. If it does, then what you see on the screen will more closely resemble what you print.
Be aware, though, that it is not possible to have a 100% identical look on screen and paper. The monitor EMITS light, the print REFLECTS light, so expecting them to look exactly the same is not realistic.
Dec 8, 2014 22:13:05 #
Dec 8, 2014 22:14:34 #
Erik_H wrote:
I use the Spyder 4 Pro. It calibrates the monitor indepently from any programs so it will work with whatever sofware you re using. I have 2 monitors and it calibrates them separately and creates a profile for each. That way they match.
I'll give the Spyder 4 Pro try. Thanks again.
Dec 8, 2014 22:15:25 #
Dec 8, 2014 22:15:43 #
CaptainC wrote:
The calibration tools are stand-alone. They have nothing to do with your photo programs. There purpose is to ensure your monitor displays color correctly. If it does, then what you see on the screen will more closely resemble what you print.
Be aware, though, that it is not possible to have a 100% identical look on screen and paper. The monitor EMITS light, the print REFLECTS light, so expecting them to look exactly the same is not realistic.
Be aware, though, that it is not possible to have a 100% identical look on screen and paper. The monitor EMITS light, the print REFLECTS light, so expecting them to look exactly the same is not realistic.
What you are saying now makes perfect sense. Thanks for helping understand the difference.
Dec 9, 2014 02:02:43 #
I would not calibrate a laptop monitor as it varies too much with surrounding light. Guessing but you did mention an LED monitor?
Dec 9, 2014 03:09:47 #
nyhttrain wrote:
Does anyone know if you have to calibrate a computer monitor to match what you are seeing when you use a photo program. It seems like when I get the picture right on my monitor then print it, it turns out more shiny and dark then what is on my screen. I use an led monitor with and H.P printer and glossy photo paper. Here is the picture I used but hard to show what it looked like after I printed it.
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Being that several of our members have given you the best answer by using a Spyder Pro, by all means always calibrate your monitor with it before you ever send off an image to a pro lab to process a large print for you. This is a must or you will be disappointed with the results and also have spent your money unwisely. Also, the larger size monitor you have will always give you more square inches to review whereby the accuracy will be far better once your photographs are returned to you.
Dec 9, 2014 07:12:31 #
nyhttrain wrote:
Does anyone know if you have to calibrate a computer monitor to match what you are seeing when you use a photo program. It seems like when I get the picture right on my monitor then print it, it turns out more shiny and dark then what is on my screen. I use an led monitor with and H.P printer and glossy photo paper. Here is the picture I used but hard to show what it looked like after I printed it.
I have seen this question here so many times, with basically the same answer: calibrate the monitor. That's not necessarily going to work, though.
A few days ago, I printed the same picture with two different printers, and the colors were slightly different. Adjusting the monitor would not have helped.
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