Monitor to print: How close?

[Satchidananda Ashram]

How close can one actually get the colors on a monitor to match what prints. I have a Viewsonic VP2130b which I profile with Spyder 2. I recently got a Canon PixmaPro 9000 and I'm using the profiles that came with the printer specifically for the Canon paper I'm using. So I think I'm doing things right. But the colors on the print are still warmer than the ones on the monitor. Some colors it seems more than others. This is the same problem I had with my Kodak 8500 dye-sub, even though I got a custom profile from Dry Creek. So what's the scoop, am I expecting too much?

[Jerry Skrocki]

There are many variables involved in the color management path, especially when it comes to printing.

Correctly calibrating your monitor is a great first step. If your prints are not matching the image you see on the monitor, you should examine what settings you are using both in Photoshop and the printer driver.

I assume you are printing with Photoshop. For best results, I always convert my image to the printer's paper profile. I let Photoshop manage color and insure that all color management is turned off in the printer software driver.

Jerry

[DougAxford]

To answer your question. Our studio monitors are a dead match to the prints. Since we run C prints, there will be slight variability in chemistry throughout the day, but we tweak that on the printer drivers.

[AndrewRodney]

This might help:

Color Managed Proofing and Printing with Photoshop CS3 _9_11
http://www.ppmag.com/reviews/200409_rodneycm.pdf
http://www.ppmag.com/reviews/200411_rodneycm.pdf

[KevinStecyk]

Andrew,

Thank you for the Adobe presentation. I thoroughly enjoyed viewed your hour long presentation.

Best regards,
Kevin

[AndrewRodney]

Originally Posted by KevinStecyk

Thank you for the Adobe presentation. I thoroughly enjoyed viewed your hour long presentation.

Glad it actually worked!

I'm doing another for Adobe and Epson on preping for print next month.

[KevinStecyk]

Hi Andrew,

I found your presentation very helpful and informative. Watching you demonstrate the topics made it much more meaningful.

One question, though. I seem to recall near the end you were discussing CS3's new interface. You mentioned that Print, I believe, was two steps forward and one step backward. Can you please explain what you meant in more detail?

Best regards,
Kevin

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