hamtrack Loc: Omaha NE

I wonder if any Hedgehogs can recommend a color calibration program that is a good choice. The prints don't look like the same color as the screen.

traveler90712 Loc: Lake Worth, Fl.

I haven't use this, but have seen several demos at different trade shows. Others here have used it and hopefully will chime in.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=&sku=838844&is=REG&Q=&A=details

Spaaarky Loc: Norfolk/Cambs border UK

I have just calibrated my monitor with Spyder4Pro (£107.00 UK) this seems to work well as it has an ambient light detector so when the lighting in the room changes it adjusts the screen.
Prior to the purchase of this i had used all the available visual adjustments on the internet for free (just Google monitor calibration) all these involve the user to set the parameters visually and i thought i had done a good job, but after proper calibration i realised the difference it makes. It will not change the way other people see your images unless their monitor is calibrated, but the prints i had printed prior to calibration never matched but they do now.

DigitalDon Loc: Calgary, Alberta

You should have stated what printer you have and what model. Firstly....you must use Epson paper with an Epson printer, Canon paper with a Canon printer, etc. THIS IS IMPORTANT! Before spending money on "calibration kits" you should try something first. Disconnect the printer from your computer and ALSO the power supply. Leave disconnected for at least 15 minutes. Reconnect and try again. I own and use a Spyder 3 Studio kit. The kit is NOT cheap. I have 3 computers which I use. I calibrate the monitors only about every 6 months. My belief is that the kit doesn't really work even though it says it does. All 3 monitors look different. They seem to differ in color more every time I re-calibrate. Can I calibrate my calibrator somewhere?

I have 3 printers, Epson Artisan 50 (no issue) Canon Pixma MG5320 (no issue) and an Epson 3880 (BIG issue)

The Epson 3880 is a large printer. The color was/is so far out I took it back where I bought it. They did a color print check and agreed it was out to lunch, but would NOT do the calibration on it. (The Camera Store in Calgary) They advised me to buy a calibration kit which I did. I DEFY ANYBODY TO CREATE A PROFILE USING THIS ITEM. I did have some special paper which required downloading the profile from the net. I did that, tried printing and the result was UNBELIEVABLE! The printer is beautiful when the profile is correct. I could never use this printer for printing on normal photo paper. When I went on vacation I unplugged this printer. Coming back I plugged it in, did a print and it was great. Did about 5 or so prints which were all usable. Later tried again and I have never been able to print a usable print since. Having said all that.....I phoned Epson at least 3 times. EVERY TIME I talked to a service rep, they were kind, considerate and seemed to know their stuff. I cannot complain about EPSON service reps...they were great.

hamtrack Loc: Omaha NE

Thanks for the input. I have an old Dell PC that may be part of the problem. I use an Epson 1900 printer and always use their ink and paper which I'm sure you will agree, is not the cheapest way to go, but clearly is the best. I will try the unhook trick. I'm not sure from your comments if you would recommend using the calibrater that you mentioned. Sounds like mixed results. Appreciated all the comments.

GHK Loc: The Vale of Eden

from GHK
Spyder has been mentioned for monitor calibration and I have used it for a long time (version 2), but its purpose is to ensure that your monitor gives a accurate rendition of what is in your image file. It doesn't do anything for your print.
To ensure that the print matches the calibrated monitor image, you need another calibration, for your printer and for each paper that you use. Each paper must have its own, separate calibration.
For this I use Monaco EZ. This entails printing a calibration image (which is provided and is of a large number of coloured squares) using appropriate printer settings, one of which MUST be "No Colour Management". You need to make a note of all the settings as you must use the same settings every time you print on the relevant paper. After leaving the print overnight, to let the colours settle, you then scan it on a flat bed and send the scan to the Monaco software. This then does its thing and produces a profile which it stores on your computer. You don't really need to access the profile directly but it should be available
via C drive -Windows-System 32-Spool-Drivers -Color, where you will finds stacks of other profiles. One word of warning - if you right click on the profile you will see 'Instal'. Don't click that; printer profiles should be left uninstalled as they might otherwise interfere with other things - they will install themselves when needed. This all sounds much more complicated than it is when you come to do it.
When you want to print an image, bring it up in Photoshop and then go to Edit - Convert to Profile - and scroll down in 'Destination Space ' to find your profile - then click it. It will have a name which you will have been asked to choose by the Monaco software. There is a keyboard shortcut for the above;
Alt/e then v, which I prefer. Changing the profile will change the image, but even if it now looks awful on the monitor, it will produce an accurate rendition when you now print it using EXACTLY the same settings which you used to make your calibration print.
Remember: each paper requires its own profile and relevant printer settings.

Spaaarky Loc: Norfolk/Cambs border UK

Apologies if my wording was not concise, i was not trying to imply that monitor calibration was in anyway connected to printer calibration, i had previously sorted my priter profiles etc.

GHK Loc: The Vale of Eden

more from GHK
A reply has appeared since I started to compose my own one.
It is totally incorrect to say that you must use Epson paper with an Epson printer etc. With proper calibration and adherence to the rules for using the profile you can use any paper, from any manufacturer with any make or model of printer. How else could Haanemuhle, Fotospeed, etc ever expect to sell their range of papers. The important thing is that it is necessary to have a separate profile for every printer/paper/ink combination which you use. This even means that if you have two printers of the same make and model (I don't know why you should) you should have separate profiles for each printer. This probably wouldn't matter much in practice with good modern printers but I remember a time when there were huge differences across one printer which was regarded as the best choice for making prints for international exhibitions.

hamtrack Loc: Omaha NE

thanks to all who responded

jjestar Loc: Savannah GA

This is what I use, http://xritephoto.com/ph_product_overview.aspx?id=1115&catid=149&action=overview

Bazamac Loc: Manchester, UK

Just a note on paper - while using Canon paper with Canon, Epson with Epson etc is a good way to making progress with ensuring your prints look the way you intended, you can use papers from other manufacturers, as long as you use the correct profile for the printer/paper combination. I use Ilford paper which I would highly recommend to anyone - Ilford produce profiles for each of their papers for a wide range of printers, which are free to download and install. In my experience these work really well and are pretty easy to use with, for example, Lightroom 4.

Hope that helps.

Barry

washy Loc: Dorset UK

I have just used a Color munki for the 1st time on my monitor , resulting in quite a difference from not having monitor set just by its own programme settings. Not sure yet how to do the printer, and the printer prints different pics than the monitor now. Try a color munki.

skydiverbob Loc: I retired in San Antonio

Spyderpro is the way, and it's very easy to set up and use.

And then you'll get into paper profiles. :D

gene58

I use Adorama photo gloss Projet on 2 different canon pixmas no difference in results dont believe everything without trying things out gene 58.

charryl Loc: New Mexico, USA

There are many beautiful papers available from manufacturers that do not make their own printers. These can, and in my opinion, should be used. As others have said, it's all in the profile. Making a profile is a one time task. Once it is done it it readily available in your printer's set up dialogue boxes.