How can I match print brightness to monitor display? I have the Epson R2000 and the Dell monitor U2410 and Spider 4. It seems that the monitor is always brighter than what I print out.

Isa Loc: Lake Lure, NC

I have the Epson R2000 and the Dell monitor U2410 and Spider 4. It seems that the monitor is always brighter than what I print out. What to do?

Datacolor Spyder4Pro S4P100 Colorimeter for Display Calibration:
http://sites.google.com/site/lomberode/Datacolor-Spyder4Pro-S4P100-Colorimeter-for-Display-Calibration

ronwande Loc: Hendersonville NC

This is a universal problem. Simple solution, turn down the brightness of your monitor until the monitor matches a print.
I have a Color Munki with which I calibrate my monitor. I always use the lowest brightness setting when I calibrate. The monitor profile that is generated then sets the monitor brightness lower.

DianeL Loc: Charlotte, NC

I have the same situation. On the monitor, the picture looks lovely. When I print it is darker and does not look as nice. I then go to PS and change the brightness. Sometimes it takes a few tries to get it perfect.

jmizera Loc: Austin Texas

Do make sure you're using the correct color profile for your printer. If you calibrated your monitor, you should leave your brightness as is, or you will have to recalibrate. Your photo will always look somewhat different than the monitor no matter what you do. Also, you should be comparing your print with a fairly bright 5000 to 6500K lamp, and not a warm white 3200K.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

Adjust the white point of the monitor in the calibration routine. Black point should be around 0.50, white point around 100, +/- 20. Be sure you use 6500K as the color temperature on the monitor, and 5000K, 93 CRI lamps I n your viewing box.

Onquest Loc: Just Wandering

burkphoto wrote:

Adjust the white point of the monitor in the calibration routine. Black point should be around 0.50, white point around 100, +/- 20. Be sure you use 6500K as the color temperature on the monitor, and 5000K, 93 CRI lamps I n your viewing box.

Ok, good info, but where do I find the monitor calibration menu??

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

Also, be sure the output profile is used as a proofing profile when you adjust images! Many folks view as sRGB, then wonder what happened when the software converts that to the paper profile and it doesn't look the same. You have to view the image through a simulation profile for the specific intended output, as you adjust it.

You should be able to get a very good match if your monitor is calibrated and profiled, and your printer is calibrated and profiled for the paper you use.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

Onquest wrote:

Ok, good info, but where do I find the monitor calibration menu??

It's in the DataColor Spyder Pro software.

Of course, you have to use your monitor's OSD --- On Screen Display --- menu to adjust the monitor's hardware parameters during software-assisted calibration with a colorimeter or spectrophotometer.

Once it's calibrated and profiled, DO NOT TOUCH the monitor's controls until/unless you calibrate and profile again! The profile is basically useless without proper calibration...

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

On the screen, the light brightly shines through from behind the screen. It is projected to your eyes. On a print, the light reflects off the paper to your eye and the appearance change if you change the light source.

You can go the calibration route and scientifically try to make the paper match the screen. Or, you can learn to recognize what will look good on a print.

Back when we had darkrooms, we never saw much of a preview and often had to print two or three times to find the right balance. Because a screen and paper are so different in how they use light, you may have to do the same.

Isa Loc: Lake Lure, NC

Thanks everyone for the suggestions. I have calibrated the monitor to 6500k and I am using sRGB and have Photoshop control the printing colors.

rmm0605 Loc: Atlanta GA

DianeL wrote:

I have the same situation. On the monitor, the picture looks lovely. When I print it is darker and does not look as nice. I then go to PS and change the brightness. Sometimes it takes a few tries to get it perfect.

I use the Epson printer driver to adjust the brightness. Works like a charm. Usually increasing the brightness by "10" points solves the problem. Try it. My printer is an R3000.

Isa Loc: Lake Lure, NC

rmm0605 wrote:

I use the Epson printer driver to adjust the brightness. Works like a charm. Usually increasing the brightness by "10" points solves the problem. Try it. My printer is an R3000.

I do not know how to use the printer driver. Would you give me a little tutorial? I'd appreciate the help.

rmm0605 Loc: Atlanta GA

Isa wrote:

I do not know how to use the printer driver. Would you give me a little tutorial? I'd appreciate the help.

Open the print dialogue. Select "Printer manages colors." Then select the color scheme you want--i.e. Adobe RGB, SRGB, etc. Click the advanced tab and you will see sliders for brightness, contrast, and saturation. Adjust the brightness tab until you get the result you want.

Isa Loc: Lake Lure, NC

rmm0605 wrote:

Open the print dialogue. Select "Printer manages colors." Then select the color scheme you want--i.e. adobe rgb, srgb, etc. Click the advanced tab and you will see sliders for brightness, contrast, and saturation. Adjust the brightness tab until you get the result you want.

Sounds like a plan to me. Thanks, I'll do just that.

Isa Loc: Lake Lure, NC

rmm0605 wrote:

Open the print dialogue. Select "Printer manages colors." Then select the color scheme you want--i.e. adobe rgb, srgb, etc. Click the advanced tab and you will see sliders for brightness, contrast, and saturation. Adjust the brightness tab until you get the result you want.

When I go to Printer Manages Colors, the printer profile automatically selected CIE RGB. the pull down would not put down. Only when I used Photoshop would the pull down work. There is no advanced tab for me to adjust brightness. Am I missing something? I am using PS CS6.