will47 Loc: Indianapolis, IN

I am looking for a monitor calibrator to match screen and printer. My requirements would be, in order: reasonably easy to use, affordable. At the current time when I print I do 8x10 color and some b&w. Any guidance would be appreciated. Thanks.

Bob Mevis Loc: Plymouth, Indiana

I've seen Spyder brand mentioned over the years. I think it was Spyder. Well, that's my story and I'm sticking to it. Lol.

jwreed50 Loc: Manassas, VA

I've used both Spyder and ColorMunki and both seem to provide good results, although I find the ColorMunki much easier to use. I now use only ColorMunki.

Ysarex Loc: St. Louis

If you want to be able to calibrate your printer as well as your display you need one of these: https://www.xrite.com/categories/calibration-profiling/i1studio

Joe

Jrhoffman75 Loc: Conway, New Hampshire

For most accurate color monitor profiling using one of the devices mentioned above is the way to go.

But, you may be surprised at how close your current monitor is. The most common issue with monitors is being too bright.

Go to this website: http://www.outbackphoto.com/printinginsights/pi049/essay.html

Download and print the test image and compare to your monitor.

You may be close enough for your uses without spending on a profile device.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

Anything new from DataColor or X-Rite.

I use a Spyder5Pro, but the new model is the X. I’ve used the i1 Pro from X-Rite, too. Go to the Datacolor and X-Rite websites and learn color management from two excellent sources.

tcthome Loc: NJ

You usually do not need to calibrate your printers unless you use more than 1 printer & need an exact match. With that said if your looking to grow in that department & start using 3rd party papers (eg. Red River, Canson, etc.) & want to make custom paper profiles , this would be the way to go. If not the i1display pro from xrite is a great monitor calibration tool. If $$ is a concern , any of the cheaper ones from xrite or DataColor will do the job.

FiddleMaker Loc: Merrimac, MA

I need to do the same. And since I am closing in on 80, I would opt for the ColorMunki if indeed it is easier to use than the Spyder version

cjc2 Loc: Hellertown PA

I have used several Datacolor Spyder model but have switched to the latest XRITE and am very happy. Best of luck.

williejoha

Data color Spider Pro
WJH

Have Camera

The Data Color Spider works really well for me. The color of my prints is a perfect match to my monitor. Data Color has several new products and I am sure the new products are even better.

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

Take your pick of the X-Rite and Datacolor Spyder calibration devices and software:

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?ci=12000&fct=fct_brand_name%7Cdatacolor%2Bfct_brand_name%7Cx-rite%2Bfct_calibration-type_2612%7Ccolor-calibration-system&srtclk=itemspp&ipp=48&mnp=75&mxp=3000

Any of them will help set the brightness of your display, run a color test and create a profile for your monitor to render as accurate as possible colors.

Some of the more advanced ones can do a lot more. But running the basic monitor calibration every month or so is all most people need.

You will need to load "ICC profiles" for your printer, inks and paper. The manufacturers provide those. Once installed on your computer (they might already be there, if you installed your printer's driver and are using the same manufacturer's inks and papers).... With a calibrated monitor you'll be able to "soft proof" images on screen reasonably accurately and make more appropriate adjustments, prior to sending the image to the printer. Other 3rd party paper and ink providers might offer their own profiles. Some more advanced calibration devices can be used to create custom profiles.

Be aware it's not "perfect". Your monitor is a transparent screen that's back lit. Your prints are viewed reflectively. The two can never fully match. Monitors can never show pure white or pure black. Monitors can't have the full dynamic range that's possible in a print either.

But monitor calibration gets it as close as possible... and is immensely helpful making better prints, as well as reducing wasted paper and ink! In fact, over time a calibration device will usually pay for itself in savings.

TheShoe Loc: Lacey, WA

As for profiling the paper, many (if not all) of the paper manufacturers have profiles available for download.

richandtd Loc: Virginia

Yes TheShoe they do and I used RedRiver’s ICC profile for my printer with their paper and it was way off. Doing m own ICC profile with SpyderPrint and it was beautiful and this was my first time making my own ICC profile.

BlueMorel Loc: Southwest Michigan

I have a ColorMunki. Small, portable, easy to use on both laptop and desktoo once a month. Comes with a built-in reminder so I don't forget.