quote:

Originally posted by John MacLean Photography:
[qb] Your gamut is limited by the matte paper, and the images on screen will never look just like the monitor, no matter how good the profiles are. But it probably would have helped if you started with an RGB working space like ProPhoto or Adobe RGB, rather than your monitor profile.

Print this file (open with embedded profile) to see how dialed-in you are so far:
http://www.digitaldog.net/files/Printer_Test_file.jpg.zip [/qb]

but I'm not using my monitor profile anymore. I think it's partially to do with the fact that matte paper doesn't have the same amount of contrast as other media, but I know I can get a little more detail here. I will print the test you have included and see what happens. Also, how do I dial in my skin tones a bit more? Is there something I can do with a profile, or do I just mess with each file individually using normal photoshop color adjustments?

Have you looked at the image on a non-colorspace aware image viewer? Just curious what your client thinks, since your image is tagged with your monitor profile.

Jason,

Did you create with or convert the image to your monitor profile and save it?

If so, and you didn't do much post processing retouching, I'd go back to the original RAW (assumption) and re-convert it to a file using a proper wide gamut working space I mentioned.

What are your PS Color Settings on now? In CS3 I'd suggest using at least North America Prepress 2.


And make sure your Monitor profile is being seen by PS, but don't set it as the working space.

I'm using north american prepress 2 if I remember correctly. I'm sending my files to clients with a normal adobe rgb 1998 colorspace. The monitor colorspace was only set, because I thought it would give me better matching between my monitor and my printer. I'm not sending EVERYBODY that colorspace...

Most of you seem stuck on that, but it was just set that way for this one print. I'm not printing it like that now. I still have a slight color cast issue, but we are talking the difference between 98% there vs that horrible 40% there image above. I am almost perfect now, and just need to figure out how to dial in that last 2%...

janikphoto, to me looks like you are double color managing. Ive never had a lot of luck with converting the file to the paper profile. I dont think that you get a a conversion method or black point compensation with that method. I would do as the other have mentioned and go back to the raw file. You could try converting the image back to Adobe 1998 but you may have rounding off errors (you should be able to see those on screen though). Also from my experience with matte paper you need to soft proof the image (view>proof setup>custom> then choose your paper profile). Then you can fuss with the saturation and skin tones while viewing it as a estimation of what your print will look like. To go back to normal just go: view>proof colors.

Re: monitor profile. sorry didnt see your last post but I would try the soft proof method though.

Just to give you an idea, I ran off a quick print, then scanned it. The matte paper dulls things a bit and muds up the dark details, but I think I'm pretty close now... here is the actual file:




This is the print, scanned back in, so you can see approx what I'm seeing (the scanner is cheap, so it isn't a PERFECT representation of the print, but close enough for a forum discussion. Plus, there's a bit of dust on the scanner that is showing up in the print image)...

You (ok I) always end up with a de-saturated print on matte paper from an image that is colour rich.
Try printing the same image on semi gloss or premuim gloss and you will likey find it will be an almost exact match.
I'm wondering why you want to print to matte with such punchy vibrant photos anyway.

Cheers
Mike

Jason,

As Anderson pointed out you can softproof and try to help it along. Another thing that would probably help is a custom printer profile. Canned profiles range from quite good to $hite.

And as Mike just pointed out, matte paper won't give you the saturation and dmax that shinier surfaces will. Hence the newer baryta papers are becoming popular for their thick art paper feel and RC paper look.

Thanks John... I have tried a few soft proofs, but also wanted to actually print a few to see it for real. I know that custom profiles are better, but am not ready to buy one until I feel like I've done what I can with the free ones. Besides, I really want to settle in on my favorite couple papers before I start buying profiles.

I prefer the matte paper, but could maybe go for a semi-matte. I don't want an rc look or a photo paper look. I want a heavy page book look. But not a glossy page book. And I'd prefer a double sided paper, so that each side looks exactly the same.

I'll work with what I've got so far, and give an update in a couple weeks. But, so far you all have been very helpful in getting me back on track. It's odd that I had such trouble with this. I'm pretty good with modern technology and have been shooting and printing for years and years. You'd think this would've been no problem for me...

Is that your grandpa?


j/k

color management is difficult the first couple of go-arounds. when you think you've got it down, something weird happens... i had a laptop monitor that had all kinds of weirdness.

turns out the monitor just sucked. it was so blue from the factory that when the calibrator corrected it, it had to clip all kinds of midtones.

quote:

Originally posted by ShaneKislack:
[qb] Is that your grandpa?


j/k [/qb]

If it was, I'd probably not be too worried about printer calibration. I'd probably be too mellow to worry about anything, after spending some time on his tour bus. Well, I might be worried about finding some snacks for the munchies...

quote:

Originally posted by craig washburn:
[qb]
...turns out the monitor just sucked. it was so blue from the factory that when the calibrator corrected it, it had to clip all kinds of midtones. [/qb]

My monitors aren't too bad. I can get some killer prints from my lab, and the things look quite close to my monitor. It helps that they offer good profiles...