Prints too dark

[merv]

I have spent all evening using Colormunki Photo to calibrate my monitor and printer and still prints are too dark. I find I have to boost the brightness about 20-30 points to get prints looking anything like right. Has anyone any suggestions as the why this might be. I know it is not possible to get perfection. merv:bang:

 

[Chappers]

A monitor calibration device will calibrate and profile your monitor, however you do need to tell it what brightness level to set.

Can I ask what software are you printing with?

Now the Color Munki has an ambient light function I believe ( Not used a CM as I'm and X-Rite user.) It could be this that is giving you a false indication. I prefer to set screen brightness value manually. This is normally between 120-140cd/m2. have you any indication to what level the CM is setting to ?

Try setting the monitor brightness aim manually. As you have some prints alraedy set it so that i matches the dark prints. Then when you re-asses them they should give you a good match.

One other point is how are you printing. Are you using the "Printer Controls Colour" option or are you applying profiles. It's possible this may also have an affect, but lets not complicate matters at the moment. Try my first suggestion and see how it goes

 

[merv]

Hi JOhn am printing with CS3.
I dont know what level CM is setting to.
I am applying profiles when printing. I have heard that suggestion before about matching screen brightness to an existing print so will try that
thanks merv:bang:

 

[Chappers]

Merv

One final thing to try, in CS3 try soft proofing the image, using the printer profile you are using and see if this makes any difference.

Although you are using profiles, you can't see what effect the profile is having. Soft proofing will show this. It's sometimes amazing the difference you get.

In other words is the Printer+ink+paper giving dark prints or is it simply a question of the CM setting the brightness too high. If it's the CM then adjusting the brightness should help, If it is the printer combination then adjusting the brightness will help for that combination but may change when using a different one, i.e . changing paper type.

Hope this isn't too confusing

John C

 

[merv]

John - in the CS3 print dialogue box there is a box down towards the bottom named 'Match Print Colours' just above the 'Show Bounding Box'.
When I hover the cursor over it it says 'soft-proof the printed colours in the preview'. What does this mean and should it be checked or unchecked?
merv:bang:

 

[Chappers]

Merv

This means it will show the image, with the printer profile applied in the preview window. Usually though this is too small to see anything.

A better way is to go to View and select Proof set up. From there choose custom, and from the dialogue box choose the paper profile you are using.

Then if you then go to View and select proof colors it will apply the profile to the image. This will show you how the image will print with the profile. It's a guide, but will show if the profile is having any significant effect on the image itself. You can toggle this by using cmd/ctrl +Y.

If the profile is having no significant effect then simply adjust you screen brightness