Digital BW, The Print

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "Drime K."
<kdrime@g...> wrote:
> Alexander,
> 
> Here's what Paul Roark has to say about monitor calibration:
> 
> Monitor to Print Matching
> There are several ways to adjust the image on the monitor if the
> prints and monitor do not match well. Note that the calibration
> programs that are popular and very useful for color printers are
> neither necessary nor even that helpful for B&W printing.

IME, the problem of "too dark" prints has to do with the monitor being
set at far too high a level of luminance--even (or especially if) if
the recommendation of some calbration software is being followed. From
what I've read (and experienced) the default value of monitor
luminance is often specified by the calibration setup to be in excess
of 100 cd/m2, which I and others find is far too high for obtaining
good match prints under normal viewing illumination. This (excessive
luminance) was certainly the case with my Xrite Monaco Optix
calibration, and i had to work around their standard procedure in
order to force a lower value.

Assuming that your monitor luminance isn't already at a "proper"
value, I believe you should try to set it to a value somewhere between
80 and 90 cd/m2. This ought to give quite adequate monitor brightness
under typical ambient lighting and will give a better match for
printed output (as well as be easier on your eyes).

Hope this helps,

Phil