Screen settings for iMac: I have a 27" iMac and would like to know the correct screen settings, including brightness so my prints match my screen.

shieldsadvert

I have a 27" iMac and would like to know the correct screen settings, including brightness so my prints match my screen.

Just Fred Loc: Darwin's Waiting Room

There's not a single, correct response to your question. Especially as asked. Here's the basics: Regardless of the version of macOS, go to your System Preferences (Apple menu->System Preferences) and open the Displays preference. There you will find the settings for your current display. Click on "Color" You will once again see the current settings (the default, if you haven't previously made changes). To the right, you will see three buttons: Open Profile, Delete Profile and Calibrate... The ellipsis (the three dots) indicate another window will open when you click the button. When you do so, up will pop the Display Calibrator Assistant. If you proceed, you will be able to select certain settings (gamma, white point, etc.). If you are satisfied with the settings, you can then save them as a profile (see Open Profile and Delete Profile, above).

You might want to set a profile to Adobe RGB or sRGB, depending on what your camera uses.

Here's a tip: In your Utilities folder, you will find Apple's ColorSync Utility. Run it first, and it will show you the different color settings available on your Mac.

You might want to check out Apple's tech notes here: https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/change-your-displays-color-profile-mchlf3ddc60d/mac

shieldsadvert

thank you for that very complete and useful reply. I was disappointed when I ordered some prints on-line recently and some came out darker than I expected them.

CamB Loc: Juneau, Alaska

shieldsadvert wrote:

I have a 27" iMac and would like to know the correct screen settings, including brightness so my prints match my screen.

The answer 'just fred' gave you is a good start. I use a 27" iMac too. You really should get a screen calibration system. I use the idisplay studio. The problem you are having with too dark prints is very common. It happens because the display screens are so bright. Because your pictures look bright on the screen you tend to tone them down when editing, then whey you print them they come out dark.
With my IMac, the first thing I do when I start a photo editing session is to turn the screen brightness down to 50%. You can do this right on your keyboard. Top row, left side, little sun icon. This will force you to make your photos brighter and they will print better.
...Cam

shieldsadvert

Cam
Good advice, thanks much.
Bill

jaymatt Loc: Alexandria, Indiana

shieldsadvert wrote:

thank you for that very complete and useful reply. I was disappointed when I ordered some prints on-line recently and some came out darker than I expected them.

I have had a 21” and am on my second 27” iMac. I have never reset the colors on the monitor and have never had a problem with colors not being spot-on with three or four different print labs. I suspect the problem is at the print lab rather than at the monitor.

Also, if it is the monitor, it might be as simple as resetting the monitor’s brightness. That also can throw colors off. I’d check that before messing with the color settings.

Just Fred Loc: Darwin's Waiting Room

One additional suggestion: Coordinate your photo settings with the printer. For exhibitions, I usually have my photos printed by either Nations Photo Labs or CG Pro Prints. Each has instructions on how to provide a proper color profile for printing. For example, CG Pro Prints states,

Quote:

Send your files with an sRGB color profile embedded. Though our printers use a CMYK based ink set, please DO NOT CONVERT TO CMYK. Our conversion algorithms are optimized to produce the best possible conversion from sRGB to CMYK to maximize the resulting color gamut.

We do not alter the color in your images in any way. We strive to print as accurately as possible. If you have a high quality, calibrated monitor, we're confident you'll be happy with the accuracy of the print.

tcthome Loc: NJ

I would get a screen calibration device like the i1 Display pro from xrite. Takes the guess work out of it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1FVHrh2gL4Q&list=PLOD1rrjm5sQCt7jXam1Cw36GZ8h0tS7Pi&index=43

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KfQ06SpCVrc&list=PLOD1rrjm5sQCt7jXam1Cw36GZ8h0tS7Pi&index=45

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JrPdvs2by04

mikegreenwald Loc: Illinois

Settings vary with multiple variables, and the ONLY way to have consistent prints is to use a colorimeter. X-Rite and Spyder make very good ones, and they're easy to use.
Variations in lighting surrounding the monitor are one of the bigger variables, and the colorimeter, properly positioned will keep the screen accurate.

Bushpilot Loc: Minnesota

I have a 27 inch iMac, initially when I set up to order custom prints from my printing service (Whitehouse Custom Color), I ordered prints from selected files, 1 monochrome and 1 color. When I received the prints the next day I set my monitor brightness and color to match the received prints. That was a couple of years ago and have never received prints from them that were not a great match to my files. It has been my experience that most folks have their monitors set too bright which results in receiving returned prints that are too dark.

shieldsadvert

Thank you, very useful info.

shieldsadvert

You're right on. My monitor is too bright so your suggestion to match the print to the monitor is a great idea. Thanks.

BobHartung Loc: Bettendorf, IA

shieldsadvert wrote:

I have a 27" iMac and would like to know the correct screen settings, including brightness so my prints match my screen.

Calibration is salvation.

bonjac Loc: Santa Ynez, CA 93460

I am sure all the previous information is excellent. My approach, which is rather simplistic, after calibration (described above) is to turn the brightness down by half. In other words, the brightness is set at the one quarter point which is four bars on the brightness display. At that point, your image should look dark, adjust it to desired brightness and your print should look good. Perhaps, some will find fault with this but it works for me.

FreddB Loc: PA - Delaware County

bonjac wrote:

I am sure all the previous information is excellent. My approach, which is rather simplistic, after calibration (described above) is to turn the brightness down by half. In other words, the brightness is set at the one quarter point which is four bars on the brightness display. At that point, your image should look dark, adjust it to desired brightness and your print should look good. Perhaps, some will find fault with this but it works for me.

"adjust it to desired brightness" using which control?