How can I print what my monitor shows?

[ving]

Hi Jo

The above is a really good first tip. LCD monitors can be extremely bright and you really notice it when you print or even move an image to another screen. I need to turn my screen brightness to 0 to even get close to print 'brightness' - this is before worrying about all the other issues. Note also that some screen calibrators wont address a brightness issue so if you are going to use one then make sure it does.

Good luck.
Josh

and people tend to crank the contrast right up on LCD monitors too...

[daggy]

Don't forget some printers use different ink for photos and general printing !

[JzB]

Have a look at the T&C in the fine print that came with your Spyder. I was going to get a couple of Spyders for AP and rent them out to members, but the T&C states you cannot rent the device out (it may have changed since I checked). At the time I contacted Colorvision direct and it was made very clear that I should not buy some to rent out.

Interesting... questions the legality of;

http://melbourne.gumtree.com.au/c-Bu...AdIdZ222803570

[I @ M]

Interesting... questions the legality of;

http://melbourne.gumtree.com.au/c-Bu...AdIdZ222803570

There are lots of posts on gumtree (owned by ebay if I am not mistaken ) that could be called legally questionable.
The very fact that that advertiser is trying to instil the belief that a calibrator ( brand and model not disclosed ) will cost you $1200.00 might be legally questionable on its own.
The other side of it where they offer to use THEIR legally licensed machine/s on a temporary basis on someone else's computer is far too complex a legal issue to be even speculated on by us mere mortal internet warriors.

[ricktas]

Interesting... questions the legality of;

http://melbourne.gumtree.com.au/c-Bu...AdIdZ222803570

I was going to buy some for AP and rent them out to members. I enquired with colorvision and was succinctly advised that renting out their gear breached the conditions of use in the fine print. So unless colorvision have changed their terms of use policy, the gumtree ad is illegal!

[TOM]

printing at home with an inkjet is one thing, but if you are after archival prints from your digital files, then at some stage you will likely get some wet prints from a pro lab. you will therefore need to get their colour profile from them, and use this in conjunction with your calibrated monitor.

[Benicio]

I've found the photo kiosks at major chain stores are very cost effective (ie .17c 4x6, .35c 5x7) and will produce far superior results to a standard home printer and they usually have an 'optimise for printing' filter you can do when you import your photo's into them that bump up the contrast and brightness to make the prints look closer to what you have in mind.

[FeedMeTrance]

i vouch for the sypder - really good way to ensure your monitor is calibrating correctly!

[jbainesy]

The simple version....

1. Calibrate your monitor
See: http://www.ausphotography.net.au/for...445#post232445 for more info

2. Only use the sRGB colour space (esp. as a hobbyist)

3. Do a test print with various print places until you find one that is close to your calibrated monitor

I couldn't view the link without making my first post - I'm REALLY leaning towards NOT printing at home after reading all these posts though! :-/ Thanks for the info everyone!