Datacolor User to User Support Group.

On Aug 28, 2009, at 1:43 PM, Bob Petruska wrote:

> The soft-proof image versus the non-soft proof image on the monitor  
> looks identical "color" wise, the soft-proof is slightly lacking  
> contrast when compared to the non-soft-proof image.

This would tend to be caused by the ink black not being as dark as  
screen black, with matte papers. With gloss media, it may be more at  
the other end, with media whites that are not as bright as the screen  
white. Either one can cause the difference in perceived lack of  
contrast. Both can be adjusted, either for the actual print, or just  
for the softproof.


> If I tweak the Spyder ICC profile to increase the soft-proof  
> contrast to match the non-soft-proof  image it also then bumps up  
> the contrast in the printout and that is not desirable.  From what I  
> know the soft-proof image should match my printout.

Ideally, yes, they should just match. But there are phenomena that you  
have to account for, such as your monitor's perceived black, versus  
the absolute black that the softproof assumes your display can manage.  
So, what you need to adjust is not the brightness and contrast  
adjustments in Spyder3Print, but the SoftProof black and white values  
in the upper right corner. Set the black L* value down to a lower  
number, for starters, or even just check the checkbox in that window,  
and see if that improves your screen match without changing your output.

C. David Tobie
Global Product Technology Manager
Digital Imaging & Home Theater
CDTobie@...