Best lighting for monitor calibration

[Gregg]

Trying to calibrate my Sony CRT monitor using Eye-One. By default it has light at 6500k, should I leave that as is, or change it to 5000k?

[ColorTyrant]

Gregg, what's your final output (press magazine or catalog, inkjet, lambda or web)? Also, are you planning to soft-proof?

[The_Stevinator]

you should have the following for good viewing conditions:

monitor calibrated to 5,000 kelvin.
5,000 kelvin light bulbs
monitor must be brighter than surrounding light
gray background behind the monitor to eliminate surround effects.

[ColorTyrant]

The_Stevinator,
What if Gregg's final output is a catalog being printed on Sappi HannoArt Silk Paper stock which has a blue-white shade? Do you still recommend 5000k?

[mtnman]

I agree that your lighting should be 5000K but find that if you calibrate the monitor to 5000K it is to yellow. The authors or Real World Color Management (the bible) recommended 5000K lighting and calibrating to 6500K. I know this doesn't seem logical but I think that your monitor will match your proofs much better. I actually go slightly in between for my calibration and use 6000K. What really matters is that your proof matches your press and your monitor matches your proof consistently.

David

[ColorTyrant]

Originally Posted by mtnman

I agree that your lighting should be 5000K but find that if you calibrate the monitor to 5000K it is to yellow. The authors or Real World Color Management (the bible) recommended 5000K lighting and calibrating to 6500K. I know this doesn't seem logical but I think that your monitor will match your proofs much better. I actually go slightly in between for my calibration and use 6000K. What really matters is that your proof matches your press and your monitor matches your proof consistently.

David

I quite agree. Your lightbox should definitely be 5000K. Your monitor depends on your proof. When we're soft-proofing for magazine specs (SWOP Standards on Fortune Gloss Paper), we're calibrated to 5500k. When we're soft-proofing images being printed to GRACoL Specs, the monitors are calibrated anywhere from 5700k and 6200k depending on the paper stock that the catalog will be printed on.

[Jezza]

What's your target? How are you calibrating? What are you calibrating compared to what?

You need a point of origin to start from. IT8 is the fella.

Check here for a fairly independent piece of advice...

IT8 Target Review

If you want to go into it deeply, then daylight bulbs and walls painted this colour 7032 Grey (http://www.indfinspec.demon.co.uk/ral_colour_chart.htm) No reflected light etc.

A proper 'Gloom Room' is ideal and don't wear any bright coloured clothing. A 'grey' T-shirt might be an idea. It's a little over the top, but I only wear neutral colours at work, your screen reflects and will 'throw' your eye. It's nearly impossible to achieve what I just suggested.

[The_Stevinator]

Originally Posted by mtnman

I agree that your lighting should be 5000K but find that if you calibrate the monitor to 5000K it is to yellow. The authors or Real World Color Management (the bible) recommended 5000K lighting and calibrating to 6500K. I know this doesn't seem logical but I think that your monitor will match your proofs much better. I actually go slightly in between for my calibration and use 6000K. What really matters is that your proof matches your press and your monitor matches your proof consistently.

David

sounds like you have other issues if things come out too yellow. i've never heard of it being done that way.

and as far as that remark

"What if Gregg's final output is a catalog being printed on Sappi HannoArt Silk Paper stock which has a blue-white shade? Do you still recommend 5000k?"

yes, i do still reccomend it being calibrated to 5,000k. because if you have your profiles set up properly for that paper, it will simulate the stock closely.

i would suggest you look at other factors effecting your color viewing.