Monitor calibration and profiling is the most important part of the colour management chain. Even if you do not print images on your own your own printer, you will want to be sure that when your pictures return from the lab or printing press they are as you expected.
monitor profiles
profile creation
Predictable output is only available when your monitor is accurately profiled. There are three ways for you to achieve this.
- The best way to do this really is by purchasing a hardware device such as the Gretag Macbeth Eye-One Display or the Pantone ColorVision Spyder (there are others). Both of these devices are available from the PicWorks shop or other suppliers for less than £150.00 and are well worth the investment.
- Pay someone like me to come and do it for you, which I am quite prepared to do, however you should be aware that monitors do change with time and you need to replace your profile at regular intervals for true accuracy. Our monitors are profiled every two weeks, you would not need this of course, but I would recommend at least every two months.
- The final way is by using a software program such as Adobe Gamma which, guides you through various steps to create a profile. Very acceptable results can be achieved when used carefully. Unfortunately this type of system relies on your perception of the colours on screen at the time and not a precision measuring device. But it is the cheapest option if you have Photoshop or Elements. If you don't, a simple search on the Internet will reveal others, which may require payment.
prices
We charge £19.95 + VAT for a high quality profile using our Gretag Macbeth Spectrophotometer and associated software.
When ordering 2 or more profiles at the same time subsiquent profiles are charged at £18.25 + VAT each and only £15.00 + VAT for 'Economy' printer profiles.
As this requires a visit to your location and our profiling prices are so low, we have to charge for travel. The current rate is 34p + VAT per mile and mileage is calculated from and back to Tegryn, Pembrokeshire, SA35 0BE. For our calculations we use the AA's route planner although there are others.
special offers
From time to time we may make special offers available. In order to take advantage of one of these offers, please enter the offer code on the order form and deduct the value from the cost of the profiles. Note: offers can be applied to the cost of profiles only not mileage charges etc.
how does it work?
When we arrive at your location we load a small piece of software onto your computer and attach our spectrophotometer to a spare USB port. Using the device and software we first calibrate your monitor for optimum display, after which the software projects on screen numerous colour patches of known values. The spectrophotometer measures these patches and the readings taken are compared to those contained within the software. From this a profile is created and set as the default monitor profile for your system.
Profiles can be created for traditional CRT monitors as well as the latest LCD flat screen monitors.
ordering
To arrange a visit for profiling of devices at your location please contact us so we can discuss your requirements and determine cost.
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