Color corrected screen: If I send a file to have it printed should I first use something to color corrected my screen? If I think I've got the colors nailed and send it off to the lab...

Marionsho Loc: Kansas

If I send a file to have it printed should I first use something to color corrected my screen?
If I think I've got the colors nailed and send it off to the lab, who's to say they see the same thing I see, weather color corrected, or not?
Marion

rjaywallace Loc: Wisconsin

Yours is a very reasonable question. I believe there is considerable merit in identifying and patronizing a good reliable lab. Chances are much greater that prints from such a source will be more likely to be closer to your original vision and that such a source will be willing to discuss any dissatisfaction and make corrections (reprints) accordingly. There are popular tools, such as Spyder, you can purchase to adjust your screen and other tools you can purchase to adjust your printer, insofar as is possible depending on the printer model. You can also purchase (are you sensing a theme here?) neutral lighting for your workspace and your desk. NONE of those purchases in the aggregate will be "perfect" - it's a matter of how close to you want it to be and your budget. I think just sending images to a good lab will get you 90% of the way.

rwilson1942 Loc: Houston, TX

The experts all say you 'must' have a calibrated monitor to see what the printer will produce correctly.
They also recommend using the PPD for the printer being used.

ken_stern Loc: Yorba Linda, Ca

Not a bad idea -- There are of course no guarantees - But if you use a color correction software on your monitor - I happen to use Spyder 5 - Then you at least know you have made a best effort attempt at your end -----

G Brown Loc: Sunny Bognor Regis West Sussex UK

Send THE SAME images to a number of printers (check on line for introductory offers) then see which one matches what you see. Many reports consistently say that there are significant differences between print companies.

try printing at home too...depending on number printed it could be cost effective especially if you use a printer for other things.

Have fun

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

If you calibrate your monitor AND download the ICC profile of your printing company (or your paper/printer if printing locally) AND you soft proof and adjust your colors accordingly, then you can expect the match to be pretty close. I use that procedure both for local printing and Bay Photo (where I don't pay for color correction which saves 50%), and within the limits of projected vs reflected light, the resulting print looks just like the image on my monitor.

Marionsho Loc: Kansas

TriX wrote:

If you calibrate your monitor AND download the ICC profile of your printing company (or your paper/printer if printing locally) AND you soft proof and adjust your colors accordingly, then you can expect the match to be pretty close. I use that procedure both for local printing and Bay Photo (where I don't pay for color correction which saves 50%), and within the limits of projected vs reflected light, the resulting print looks just like the image on my monitor.

Thanks everybody for the replies.
\That's just it. i've never had anything printed, other than Wally World on a machine that just spits them out the bottom.
And enlargements produced in class, at the local JR, College.
I would work on my MacBookPro at home, with a corrected screen (SPYDER) then take the files to class and depending on what computer I sat at, the colors would be off. The cute blonde's hair looked great on my screen at home and came out green on most of the terminals used in class.
I was wanting to get two metal (AL) prints made of the same image. Maybe 20X16 inch.
Marion

Marionsho Loc: Kansas

G Brown wrote:

Send THE SAME images to a number of printers (check on line for introductory offers) then see which one matches what you see. Many reports consistently say that there are significant differences between print companies.

try printing at home too...depending on number printed it could be cost effective especially if you use a printer for other things.

Have fun

If the printer at home has sat unused for maybe two to four years without being used, should I just buy a new one. Can I would assume the ink jets are clogged up big time.
Marion

Marionsho Loc: Kansas

ken_stern wrote:

Not a bad idea -- There are of course no guarantees - But if you use a color correction software on your monitor - I happen to use Spyder 5 - Then you at least know you have made a best effort attempt at your end -----

I sold my Spyder 3. I may have to get another one.
Thanks,
Marion

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

Marionsho wrote:

Thanks everybody for the replies. br \That's just ... (show quote)

Then (assuming your monitor is calibrated correctly), it's likely that the monitors in class are not calibrated or calibrated incorrectly...

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

Marionsho wrote:

If the printer at home has sat unused for maybe two to four years without being used, should I just buy a new one. Can I would assume the ink jets are clogged up big time.
Marion

Depends on the printer and the type of ink. The nozzles may be clogged or the ink dried up or it may work. Crank it up, run a cleaning cycle or two (if applicable to your machine), and give it a try. Nothing to lose...

Marionsho Loc: Kansas

TriX wrote:

Depends on the printer and the type of ink. The nozzles may be clogged or the ink dried up or it may work. Crank it up, run a cleaning cycle or two (if applicable to your machine), and give it a try. Nothing to lose...

Nothin to lose but time. It was set up with a PC and now the only thing I have is Apple.
I'll have to devote some time to the project. Someday.
Thanx

Marionsho Loc: Kansas

rjaywallace wrote:

Yours is a very reasonable question. I believe th... (show quote)

I want to make a couple metal (AL) prints of this wind turbine. Not sure how they could get an image like this to print wrong, or be off enough to complain about.
Thanks rjaywallace.

irhologram

When printing enlargements on watercolor paper or canvas, I've used a lab that sent 2x3 inch (or so) proofs in that medium upon request, for color correction prior to printing.

I'm just now getting back into photography and have forgotten the name of the lab, but I had researched it on the internet, and found a small lab who's tech would respond by e-mail.Believe it or not, the price was about the same as everywhere else, except labs that print in large volume. I even ended up with the owner speaking to me by phone, because I had ruined an image by over-editing for sharpness, when it was already perfectly focused. It was a fortunate relationship. Find a lab that will work with you!

Marionsho Loc: Kansas

irhologram wrote:

When printing enlargements on watercolor paper or ... (show quote)

Thanks. I've heard a lot of good about MPIX.
Not sure if they print metal, or not.
Marion