The Importance of Color Calibration: 5 “Must Do” Steps to Ensure Proper Color
You might be asking yourself, what the heck is color calibration? In really simple terms, it is the process of making your computer monitor and printer display color correctly. In other words, when you look at a red rose on your screen, you want it to look the same when you print it. I know a lot of photographers who wrestle with their screens and printers, printing copy after copy of an image, trying to compensate for improper monitor or printer settings. The fight ends now. Follow these simple steps to make sure you are calibrated correctly.
1: Buy a monitor calibration tool
There is only one way to calibrate a monitor correctly, and that is by using a calibration tool. There are a number of manufacturers available, and most provide the same level of accuracy. I personally use Colorvision’s Spyder2Pro. They now have an upgraded model, but this one has been working successfully for me for a few years now. Other name brand calibrators like Huey, Pantone, LaCie, etc, all provide the user with a comparable level of performance to the Spyder. Be aware, however, of the feature set of the calibrator you choose. For instance, if you have dual monitors…make sure your calibrator can support dual monitors.
2: Use the calibrator often
Most people use their calibrator once, right after they buy it. However, a monitor’s color can shift in a very short period of time, typically within 2-4 weeks. This is why it’s important to recalibrate often. My Spyder software reminds me after two weeks that I need to recalibrate. The process takes less than five minutes, so there is no reason not to do this when the reminder pops up.
3: Use the printer’s software
When printing on your photo printer, it’s important to use the correct print profile for the printer and paper to print with the correct colors. Many people start with trying to print from their operating system’s default image application, but quickly learn that this can print colors incorrectly if not properly configured. While there are ways to make sure that your image is printed correctly from 3rd party applications, the simplest way to ensure that everything is set up correctly is to print from the printer’s included software. Every printer manufacturer’s software is a little different, but follow their instructions and print from their software to ensure the color is correct.
4: Choose and use the right paper
Believe it or not, even the type of paper (i.e. – colored, glossy, matte, or satin) can affect the color of your final image. When printing, it’s important to buy the brand and type of paper that the printer manufacturer specifies for the ink you are using. It is equally important to choose the correct type of paper in your computer’s printer setting before starting printing. Choosing glossy vs. matte or otherwise will make sure your computer is using the correct printer color profile for the paper you are printing to.
5: Check your color profile
If you are using an online printer, check their website to make sure they support the color profile that your image is using. By default, most cameras write JPEG files in AdobeRGB or sRGB. Check your camera manual to determine which file your camera is using, and how to change it if necessary. Most low end online print companies are able to manage this process seamlessly; however, if you are trying to use a higher end online printer, they may require you to save your image using their print profile. In these cases, you will need to download their color profile for the paper they will be printing on, install it on your computer, and be sure to save the image using their profile before uploading the file to the online printer. If this is required, most of the online printers include some level of instruction on their website on how to accomplish this. Also, most photo editing software such as Lightroom or Photoshop allows you to pick your correct color profile when saving an image. With this option, you could choose the proper profile for the online printer before you save the image. It is best to shoot raw when this is your workflow to ensure you do not lose any data from one color profile to the next.
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