Monitor/printer colour matching help needed please !

[stevewestern]

Hi,
Can anyone help me with this - my prints always look flat and dull (maybe just my pictures though..) despite looking good on the monitor.
What is the easiest way to match them - I am not a clever computer expert, and would be happy to buy whatever bit of equipment that would do it all for me - maybe I need a decent monitor ?
Any help much appreciated !
cheers
Steve

 

[Phil T]

Steve
If you could say what monitor/printer/software you have I'm sure some suggestions will be forthcoming.
I had a similar problem with my Mac - ended up getting a local expert out who
1. Calibrated the monitor screen with Spyder (but there are other good packages like Huey) to ensure the colours were correct in the Mac
2. Configured Photoshop 7 for the specific printer (there are sooo many to choose & knowing your way around specific settings takes time & expertise which I didn't have) so that the printer output was predictable (you'll never get exactly the same from a printer as you see on screen)
3. Suggested an upgrade path for when I have more time & money!
Try Googling "calibrate <your make of pc/screen> <your make & model printer>. If it's an HP, Epson or Canon you should find some useful guides from these companies.
Good luck with it - it is well worth getting right!

 

[stevewestern]

Thanks Phil - I am home again tomorrow, so will look to see what the monitor is and take it from there..
I'll also have a look at 'Spyder'to see what it is and does and what it costs...
As I recently read on this forum - éxpensive hobby this, innit!!!