How to use a color test print page

[tsinsf]

i have a new Epson P 900 printer. I have calibrated my NEC PA 302W using Spectraview II using 80 cd/m2, D65, Native Gamma, and default Contrast Ratio. My workflow is:edit in Photoshop, soft proof using the techniques that Andrew Rodnewy describes in his wonderful video, and then print using Lightroom and canned ICC profiles. I would like to determine what is the best K value to use for my printing. I have a question about using the color test print page he offers. How do I use it? Do I just print it using different monitor K values and see which renders the best color on the paper I usually use, Epson Premium Luster, or do I soft proof the downloaded color test image and print using my soft proofed version? Or is there something else I should do? A link to a video or written how to would be fabulous. Thanks!!

[greyscale]

I use Keith Coopers site @:  http://www.northlight-images.co.uk/printer-test-images

Have fun

[digitaldog]

All here (watch then ask if anything is not clear):

Why are my prints too dark?
A video update to a written piece on subject from 2013
In this 24 minute video, I'll cover:

Are your prints really too dark?
Display calibration and WYSIWYG
Proper print viewing conditions
Trouble shooting to get a match
Avoiding kludges that don't solve the problem

High resolution: http://digitaldog.net/files/Why_are_my_prints_too_dark.mp4
Low resolution: https://youtu.be/iS6sjZmxjY4

I don't however understand your question about “K value”.

[Doug Gray]

I don't however understand your question about “K value”.

Based on the OP's post, it almost certainly means Kelvin as the white point temp. Watching your video should will explain and answer that question.

[tsinsf]

Thank you for your reply. I rewatched the suggested video (probably for the fourth or fifth time!) and I realize that I have misunderstood what the purpose of a test print image is. I totally understand the points raised about the "too dark" issue, and have successfuly, through trial and error, managed to calibrate my monitor in a way that the darkness/lightness of the print is not an issue. Where I still am not happy is with the color match. Having just watched the video again, am I correct in assuming that to get a better color match with a particular paper I should calibrate my Nec monitor using several different white points (K value), soft proof and then make a print with each different monitor setting, and see which K value gives the best print result? If that is the case, then what is the purpose of making a color test print? I am (as is often the case) not seeing the forest through the trees with this topic.

[digitaldog]

Having just watched the video again, am I correct in assuming that to get a better color match with a particular paper I should calibrate my Nec monitor using several different white points (K value), soft proof and then make a print with each different monitor setting, and see which K value gives the best print result? If that is the case, then what is the purpose of making a color test print? I am (as is often the case) not seeing the forest through the trees with this topic.

Yes, that is quite possible.
The color reference test images are composed of RGB values such they are set for output and are editing and display agnostic to test the output. But you also use those files for viewing a soft proof and for evaluating if or if not, you've got an acceptable print to screen match.

[tsinsf]

"But you also use those files for viewing a soft proof and for evaluating if or if not, you've got an acceptable print to screen match."

This is where my confusion is. A soft proofed print of the color test print page, and then comparing it to the screen image of the color test print page?

[digitaldog]

This is where my confusion is. A soft proofed print of the color test print page, and then comparing it to the screen image of the color test print page?

Yes. How else would you compare the print to display where the print was using Profile A for output, without Profile A being used for soft proofing. Otherwise you're viewing in an RGB Working Space.

[tsinsf]

Thank you again, you are being so kind. So, back to my original question, how do I determine the best white point (K value) to use for monitor calibration? I have calibrated my monitor for 5700, 5800, 5900, 6100, 6300, and 6500 K. I have made prints of the test print page (not soft proofed) using each of the six different monitor profiles. Do I then just pick whichever print is closest to its monitor color profile and use that K value in my monitor profile? Or should I be making six different soft proofed prints of the color test print page to compare to the profile using the six different screen profiles?

[digitaldog]

The best settings result in a match.
And because you have a great “smart” display system that allows you to create as many target calibration aim points and switch on the fly and load a profile based on different papers, that's what you want to do.