Color management workflow will determine how well your print output will match the image on your computer’s screen. When it doesn’t, there are plenty of reasons why, but usually due to improper Color Management. Essentially, one or more of the settings in your color workflow is incorrect.

Monitor Calibration

Often color management issues can be traced to the lack of proper monitor calibration, including White-point, Gamma, and/or an incorrect setting of the working color space the files are viewed and corrected within. White-point is the neutral color balance of the monitor screen measured in degrees Kelvin, and can vary widely from device to device.

Setting the White Point

The most reliable calibration will be achieved by using a plug-in device that measures the output of your computer screen. The probe is packaged with software and will take you through a step-by-step procedure to accurately set your monitor to the correct gamma and white point. The software will also create a monitor profile that will minimize variations in visual output for your specific monitor.

These products are available in several styles, features, and price ranges. If you plan to do any color correction to your digital files, it’s an essential tool to have. You will need to verify and re-calibrate your monitor every few weeks or months, depending on how much you use the monitor.

Setting the Gamma

Gamma refers to a specific value of brightness and contrast. One of the key differences between Macs and Windows PCs is the Default Gamma used on each platform. Macs generally use a gamma setting of 1.8, and Windows uses a setting of 2.2 which is the default gamma defined within the sRGB color space.

In addition, most monitors can only represent colors in the sRGB color space. You will want to be sure that the default working color space in Photoshop or raw file processor is also set to sRGB. Our Pro Digital imaging equipment is set up to print using sRGB, so prepare your images accordingly.

Color Space

If publishing your images in magazines, or other media using offset printing, you will probably want to stay in the Adobe 1998 RGB color space since this generally works better when CMYK conversion will be required for offset printing.

Remember, that to accurately view and correct images in this space you will need to upgrade your monitor to a device capable of displaying the extended dynamic color range of Adobe 1998.

Output Devices and Color Space

We often use Adobe 1998 to capture images with our multi-pass scanning and printing on our CANON PRO 4000 large format inkjet printer to make Studio Giclees.

Photo printing on our Pro Luster Printer is produced using the sRGB color space, although images created in Adobe 1998 can be converted to sRGB, this will only add time to file preparation with no direct quality benefit when printing on silver-based photo paper.

Color space mismatches can produce inferior results, so submit files in the appropriate color space for the desired output type.

When setting the defaults, we have found that using “Perceptual” as the rendering intent usually produces the most pleasing results.

Environmental Factors

Finally, locate your workstation monitor in a stable viewing environment where the ambient lighting will always be the same. Avoid working in an area with brightly colored walls, as they can “skew” your color perception. This is key to reliable color management.

Try to have a neutral gray card or background in your workspace to “refresh” your vision occasionally.

If using a portable device, ALWAYS connect to AC power. This is because battery-powered devices typically dim the display to conserve battery power.  Most laptop and tablet devices will also vary the brightness depending on ambient lighting conditions.

Exceptions to the Rule

If possible you should avoid consumer-grade laptop displays for critical color correction since their budget displays are often too “cold” and tend not to offer reliable color and/or density controls.

The notable exception would be premium-priced “Pro” systems that utilize Retina or O.L.E.D. displays. When properly calibrated, these displays can be accurate, as long as they are consistently used with AC power in a stable viewing environment.

Monitor Calibration Tools

We strongly suggest that every photographer utilize a Monitor Calibration Device and recommend one of the Datacolor SpyderPRO or ELITE series expert calibration systems.

These devices will help you calibrate your screen so it will display images to an industry-standard brightness, contrast, and color balance, and by periodically re-checking the monitor setup, you can be confident of getting reliable and consistent results.