Printer profiling software

[Jeff-Grant]

Having been bashing around trying to come to grips with colour management for a while now, I don't understand how the software choices are what they are. For RGB printers, which most folks use their seems to be little choice between completely automatic like Eye One Match or full function like ProfileMaker.  The problem that I see is that full function also covers CMYK printing which most photographers will never need and costs a heap of cash.

This holds true with Xrite, Fuji and BasICColor from what I know. Would a product for RGB printing only at a realistic price be a niche filler?

[eronald]

Having been bashing around trying to come to grips with colour management for a while now, I don't understand how the software choices are what they are. For RGB printers, which most folks use their seems to be little choice between completely automatic like Eye One Match or full function like ProfileMaker.  The problem that I see is that full function also covers CMYK printing which most photographers will never need and costs a heap of cash.

This holds true with Xrite, Fuji and BasICColor from what I know. Would a product for RGB printing only at a realistic price be a niche filler?

Tell us what's missing from i1 Match ?

Pulse from the original Xrite had some more options for inkjets but got killed.

Argyll is very flexible if you can be bothered to use it.

The real problem is not the lack of options, it's the intrinsic look of these packages, which differs appreciably.

Edmund

[Henry Goh]

Having been bashing around trying to come to grips with colour management for a while now, I don't understand how the software choices are what they are. For RGB printers, which most folks use their seems to be little choice between completely automatic like Eye One Match or full function like ProfileMaker.  The problem that I see is that full function also covers CMYK printing which most photographers will never need and costs a heap of cash.

This holds true with Xrite, Fuji and BasICColor from what I know. Would a product for RGB printing only at a realistic price be a niche filler?

Hi Jeff,

The most affordable and fastest printer profiling package you can buy today is the Colormunki.  Check B & H.

Henry

[Jeff-Grant]

Tell us what's missing from i1 Match ?

Edmund

Any options for starters, I would at least like to know what parameters are being used. I would also like to be able to experiment with different parameters to see what effects it has.

[Jeff-Grant]

Hi Jeff,

The most affordable and fastest printer profiling package you can buy today is the Colormunki.  Check B & H.

Henry

Hi Henry,

I already have an i1 Pro. It's the profile building software that I'm interested in.

[TylerB]

you should also look at the Datacolor Spyder3 products, look for some on line comparative reviews. Just RGB, and affordable.
Tyler

[eronald]

Just download Argyll (free) it has enough options to keep a regiment of ColorMonkeys happy testing for a year.
Performance is decent if you know what you're doing. I use it as my main profiler these days, with a Barbieri LFP.

Edmund

[Jeff-Grant]

Edmund, many thanks. I'll look into it.

Tyler, is it possible to get software only? I really don't need another spectro.

[TylerB]

I doubt it, seems like most of these affordable systems are "packages".
Tyler

[digitaldog]

Any options for starters, I would at least like to know what parameters are being used. I would also like to be able to experiment with different parameters to see what effects it has.

Actually, unless you like to spin your wheels and waste a lot of media, you don't. Especially with RGB profiles which are simple to build. CMYK for print/press work is another whole ball of wax and yes, you need parameters to control if nothing else, black generation (UCR, Black Start etc).

[Jeff-Grant]

Actually, unless you like to spin your wheels and waste a lot of media, you don't. Especially with RGB profiles which are simple to build. CMYK for print/press work is another whole ball of wax and yes, you need parameters to control if nothing else, black generation (UCR, Black Start etc).

Thanks Andrew. Let's see if I am getting the message:

- with RGB profiles, there is little room for change

- so buying a product like Profile Maker for RGB is a waste of money if all I want is RGB printer profiles

- Eye One Match is all that I need, and is as good as any other RGB profile product

Correct?

[digitaldog]

Thanks Andrew. Let's see if I am getting the message:

- with RGB profiles, there is little room for change

- so buying a product like Profile Maker for RGB is a waste of money if all I want is RGB printer profiles

- Eye One Match is all that I need, and is as good as any other RGB profile product

Correct?

Waste, sort of unless you can afford all the other Bells and Whistles like the profile editor, Spot etc. Match uses the same hard wired settings (there are a few options) in ProfileMaker Pro. And you should be able to upgrade if you so desire.

[BruceHouston]

Andrew, could you possibly provide us with your most current take on the printer profiling results obtainable using EyeOne Photo vs. ColorMunki?

I know that this topic has been discussed before in other threads, but I wonder if you could provide your latest assessment, including your most recent experience with ColorMunki and any improvements in the ColorMunki software.

Many thanks,
Bruce

[digitaldog]

Andrew, could you possibly provide us with your most current take on the printer profiling results obtainable using EyeOne Photo vs. ColorMunki?

I know that this topic has been discussed before in other threads, but I wonder if you could provide your latest assessment, including your most recent experience with ColorMunki and any improvements in the ColorMunki software.

Many thanks,
Bruce

Don't have anything new to report past what I've written in the past. I think for the price point and the few patches required to measure, the output profiles I've built have been quite impressive.