Digital BW, The Print

Tim,

The Spyder 2 Pro (about $250) works well, though I think it has just been
upgraded to a new model.  My 21" CRT finally got to the point where I could
no longer reliably calibrate it (they do wear out).  I bought a 21" LCD and
dvi card and it was a big improvement.  Myself, I gave up some time back and
went with Imageprint.  It was expensive, but I figured it was cheaper than
the inevitable psychotherapy or rehab.  B&W or color, I get a monitor/print
match the first or second time (taking into account the difference between a
backlit and reflective image).

I have an article around here somewhere on how to build a custom dot gain
curve for the b&w space in PS to better match the print.  I can look for it
if you like.

Ken

> -----Original Message-----
> From: DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com
> [mailto:DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Tim
> Timmermans
> Sent: Saturday, March 10, 2007 2:47 PM
> To: DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: [Digital BW] It's soooo frustrating
> 
> I spend loads of time in PS making the image look just the way I want
> but when I print it, it's up to 30% lighter than what I see on screen.
> So I adjust the screen image to be 30% darker and it looks lousy on
> the screen but it's "closer" to what I wanted on the print. Still I
> feel I'm losing something doing it this way. I also have no idea what
> people are seeing on their monitors when I email them a sample image.
> (no complaints to date but it concerns me.)
> 
> At the moment I just don't have the funds for an expensive calibration
> software. Anyone have experience with the cheaper Spyder
> version.."Spyder 2" I think it's called. Are there any other options
> out there?
> 
> Any response would be most welcome as I have a show coming up next
> month and I'm at wits ends.
> 
> Thanks,
> 
> Tim