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PrepressAddict · #1 (**permalink**) 06-20-2007, 07:58 AM

I need to calibrate all of our designers monitors. What is a good software hardware solution for this. I have used products in the past that you suction or hang a sensor from the monitor to read it. I am looking for something like that.

colorblind · #2 (**permalink**) 06-20-2007, 08:45 AM

Gretag Eye-One is the one I have. Calibrated all the studio monitors with it and everyone is pleased. It also has an advanced feature that measures the ambient lighting to compensate during monitor calibration.

Hope this helps.

Earendil · #3 (**permalink**) 06-20-2007, 10:24 AM

I have tried a number of monitor correction devices and although they create a pleasing look they rarely help me match what is coming off the presses, I mean really, what's the most important thing, having it look pleasing on screen or having it look realistic.

We have a calibrated Epson plotter for proofs. I take Adobe's stock color image "Olé no Moiré" and print her out on the Epson. I then open her up in Photoshop and let her sit in the background as I run through an advanced monitor calibration using system preferences. Using my eye I can get the image on my monitor to come real close to matching the proof, which matches the press. Great results, no extra money!

colorblind · #4 (**permalink**) 06-20-2007, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Earendil

I have tried a number of monitor correction devices and although they create a pleasing look they rarely help me match what is coming off the presses, I mean really, what's the most important thing, having it look pleasing on screen or having it look realistic.

We have a calibrated Epson plotter for proofs. I take Adobe's stock color image "Olé no Moiré" and print her out on the Epson. I then open her up in Photoshop and let her sit in the background as I run through an advanced monitor calibration using system preferences. Using my eye I can get the image on my monitor to come real close to matching the proof, which matches the press. Great results, no extra money!

No offence, but if you have to calibrate more than one monitor this way, chances are color won't be consistent from one monitor to another.

PrepressAddict · #5 (**permalink**) 06-20-2007, 12:20 PM

I agree I will have to calibrate as many as 60 monitors. If I use the manual method I will have 60 variation on the calibration. Do any of the other option mentioned about allow me to export a profile for other monitors or even printer profiles?

Quote:

Originally Posted by colorblind

Quote:

Originally Posted by Earendil

I have tried a number of monitor correction devices and although they create a pleasing look they rarely help me match what is coming off the presses, I mean really, what's the most important thing, having it look pleasing on screen or having it look realistic.

We have a calibrated Epson plotter for proofs. I take Adobe's stock color image "Olé no Moiré" and print her out on the Epson. I then open her up in Photoshop and let her sit in the background as I run through an advanced monitor calibration using system preferences. Using my eye I can get the image on my monitor to come real close to matching the proof, which matches the press. Great results, no extra money!

No offence, but if you have to calibrate more than one monitor this way, chances are color won't be consistent from one monitor to another.

PrepressAddict · #6 (**permalink**) 06-20-2007, 12:26 PM

Just for the record, the manual method is an excellent way for experienced prepress specialists such as ourselves to calibrate monitors if there are a limited number to do. I have used "Olé no Moiré" myself in the past and still have the good old fashion match print I had made from the high res file that came with photoshop.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Earendil

I have tried a number of monitor correction devices and although they create a pleasing look they rarely help me match what is coming off the presses, I mean really, what's the most important thing, having it look pleasing on screen or having it look realistic.

We have a calibrated Epson plotter for proofs. I take Adobe's stock color image "Olé no Moiré" and print her out on the Epson. I then open her up in Photoshop and let her sit in the background as I run through an advanced monitor calibration using system preferences. Using my eye I can get the image on my monitor to come real close to matching the proof, which matches the press. Great results, no extra money!

PrepressAddict · #7 (**permalink**) 06-24-2007, 05:47 PM

Any other suggestions?

digitaldog · #8 (**permalink**) 06-29-2007, 06:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PrepressAddict

Any other suggestions?

Yup, the EyeOne Display-2 is a very good solution. And you have to conduct this about once a month as displays are not stable devices.

As for matching a press, you can't match the display to an output device without first profiling it and having a profile for the output device (how the heck is something like Photoshop supposed to read your mind and know what output device you're working with?). So its a two prong approach to soft proofing. But the fundamental process starts with regular calibration and profiling.

What I like about EyeOne is the software allows both a native white point and gamma. In order for multiple displays to match, you'll have to find the one that produces the least luminance possible and lower all others to match it. Unlike Spinal Tap, there's no 11 on the scale!

Techboy · #9 (**permalink**) 07-07-2007, 07:00 AM

Sorry, I'm a bit late on joining this thread, but does anyone have experience using cheaper solution such as Pantone Huey Pro or ColorVision Spyder2 PRO?

LoganBlade · #10 (**permalink**) 07-07-2007, 04:24 PM

screww the designers are idiots any ways and wont actually color correct the files because odds are tehy a color blind or have no idea what it matters and prepress will still be doing its magic and the designers will still say it doesnt match my monitoor of=r the color of the couch at my house that i was shooting for color and your press room suck because they cant match my $100 dollar monitor.

Damn designers they have no clue