|
My prints don't match my screen.
What do I do?
There are several reasons why you might be experiencing this:
1. Your monitor is not calibrated correctly, or you are not using
color management properly.
2. Prints are capable of showing more colors than
monitors.
3. Your monitor shows projected light (the light
shines directly through the image on the computer monitor).
Your print shows reflected light (the light reflects off
the print itself).
4. The type of light that's shining on your print
will change the way your print looks.
If you look at your print outside, then in your kitchen, then
under a lamp, then in the bathroom, you'll see the image become
lighter, darker, warmer or cooler. Your monitor has specific
lightness, darkness and color temperature, and you need to look
at your print in a similar light to view your print accurately.
Professionals who are looking for a screen-to-print "match" use
special viewing booths (which cost thousands of dollars) or SoLux
lamps (a much better bargain) to compare their prints to their
displays. Even then, you cannot make the two perfectly match...but
you can get it close enough for most demands.
There are a variety of solutions that can help you
match your screen to your print:
1. Calibrate your monitor with a device like the X-Rite
Eye-One Display 2 Monitor Calibrator.
2. Buy a color-accurate monitor that displays at
least 69% of Adobe RGB. See a list of recommended
displays.
3. Buy a SoLux 4700K bulb and use it for viewing your print when
comparing to your screen.
If you've implemented these solutions, and you are
still not happy with the results, then you need to do what the
most experienced fine art printmakers do: make proofs. There are
always subtle differences that even the best displays cannot show,
and a proof gives you a tangible way to see these differences.
What is a proof? It's simply a
print of your file made with the same methods you intend to use
when you make your final print. Often times, a proof is made at
a reduced size (like 8x10), to save money, but proofs can be made
at any size. Once you're happy with your
image file, simply order a print (your proof)...once you see the
print, you'll be able to see how to further refine your image...or
confirm that you're happy with your interpretation, and make final
prints.
|
