I know this has been posted a million times, but I've read books, the posts and seemingly followed everyone's great advice... I just can't figure out what I'm missing.
I have a Z3100,an Eizo CG241W monitor, and run it on Mac OS 10.5.8. I use Eizo's calibration program with a DTP94 and HP's internal media profiling. My room is darkened to keep out any stray light and use solux lamps for viewing. I use Photoshop CS4 (now 5), always let PS manage the color and use Proof Colors to "allegedly" see what it's going to look like printed.
I mostly print on quality canvas, but the media doesn't seem to make a difference... I ALWAYS have to print test strips because the monitor has NEVER matched the print. It usually takes a couple test prints to get it right... it used to take 4-6... so I'm getting a little better at judging what and how much to adjust, BUT it's not supposed to be this way! I've lived with doing this for years... the work has to get done, but I'm tired of wasting media, ink and valuable time!
I'm all out of ideas... and hair! Any advice is appreciated.
- Joe Roselli
I am guessing brightness may be one issue and colours are effected by saturation in my opinion. My set up,
OS and monitor same.
Mac Pro Xeon duel running PS/cs3/Aperture 3.
Canon iPF6100 using PS plugin when printing.
Monitor calibration infrequent but use an X-rite LT and the on board Eizo colour software.
Room not dark just make sure monitor is away from window lights.
I have skylights and judge prints under one of these away from the monitor.
ONLY thing I have done is to de saturate monitor colours 20% in PS settings.
During Eizo calibration set new target with a reduction in default luminescence, experiment here for your ideal.
It's as bang on as is possible with a backlit source compared to a reflected output.
Softproofing is a challenge, did not trust it myself until I wasted time with proof prints recently and failed. Then held the third party proof print up behind me lit by a skylight and adjusted the image on screen in PS softproofing mode until it matched and hit print and guess what it *()_ worked.
Shows I am a twit.
You have an advantage over me in hair pulling.
Regards