Posted by Foto Care Editor | Posted in Foto Coach | Posted on Sunday, May 23rd, 2010

After spending considerable time working on an image in Photoshop, wouldn’t it make sense to print and proof the image right from Photoshop instead of saving the image to your desktop and then printing? Here’s how you can streamline your workflow process.

Begin by launching Photoshop and opening the image you would like to print.

Next, check your color settings to make sure they are correct for printing. To do this click on Edit in the top toolbar. At the bottom of the drop down menu click on Color Settings.

This will open the Color Settings window. Once the Color Settings window is open click on the More Options button on the right hand side. This will drop the window down with additional options.

Your Color Settings should be as follows:
Working Spaces
*Note: once you make a change the settings’ name will change to custom*

Color Management Policies
*Note: You want Photoshop to ask when opening/pasting so incoming images will have the correct profile applied*

Conversion Options

Advanced Control

After changing all the settings you can press the OK button to apply them to Photoshop

Next you need to view the image with Proof Colors applied to see what the image will look like printed.

Click on View : Proof Setup : Custom

In this window select the correct paper profile (the paper you are using to print) for Device to Simulate. For the Rendering Intent select Perceptual and check the box next Black Point Compensation to turn it on.

Once these changes are made click OK.

Now the correct color settings are applied and you can proceed to working on the images or printing. Continue to print by proceeding with the following steps .

Click on File in the toolbar. At the bottom of the drop down menu click on Print.

This will open the Print window. In this window you need to click the Page Setup button in the middle of the window.

This will open the Page Setup window. In this window click next to Format For and choose your printer. Under Paper Size pick the paper size you are using.

After changing these settings click the OK button at the bottom of the window. This will take you back to the Print window.

Double check your Printer to make sure it is correct then change your settings in the Print window to match as follows.

*Note: For Printer Profile you will choose the paper profile for the particular paper you are using*

After changing your Color Management settings click on the Print button at the bottom of the window. This will take you to the next Print window.

In this window double check to make sure the correct printer is selected.  Next to the printer name make sure the arrow in the blue box is pointing up, this will open all the printing options. Next, click once on Layout to open the drop down menu. In the drop down menu click on Print Settings.

In the Print Settings window apply the following settings.

*Note: For Media Type you will choose the type of paper you are using.

Next press the Print button at the bottom of the window. Your image will now be sent to the printer.

Posted by Foto Care Editor | Posted in Foto Coach | Posted on Saturday, April 17th, 2010

To calibrate your monitor, begin by making sure you have downloaded the most recent version of the Eye-One Match software (from their website). Next, plug in your calibration device to the computer and launch Eye-One Match.

After you launch Eye-One Match it will open the initial Eye-One Match window. You will need to choose the Monitor icon and then click Advanced at the bottom of the window. After you have made these chooses click the right arrow at the bottom of the window.

This will take you the Monitor Type screen. Choose the type of monitor you are using and click the right arrow button on at the bottom of the  window.

This will take you to the Calibration Settings window. In this window you will choose your custom settings. (Note: These settings are starting points. You may need to change them if you see the screen is not matching your prints.)*

First you need to change your white point. Click next to White Point and a drop down menu will open. At the bottom of the menu click on Custom WP. This will open the another window so you are able to assign a custom value. Manually slide the arrow to 5700 K then click the OK button. (Note: This setting is a starting point. You may need to change it if you see the screen is not matching your prints.)*

Please note these recommended settings:
For Printing: White Point: 5700 K
For Viewing (not printing): White Point: 6000 K

Next, you need to change the Luminance. Click next to Luminance and a drop down window will open. Click on 90 for the luminance (the luminance is the brightness of the monitor). After setting the luminance click the right arrow at the bottom of the window. (Note: This setting is a starting point. You may need to change it if you see the screen is not matching your prints.)*

Please note these recommended settings:
For Printing: Brightness: 90 or 100 (dependent on room brightness)
For Viewing (not printing): Brightness: 90 or 100 (dependent on room brightness)

On the next window you will be prompted to place your calibration device in the center of the monitor. Do this then click the right arrow at the bottom of the window. (Note: It is a good idea to tilt the monitor backwards slightly to prevent the device from moving.)

This will take you to the next screen where you will be prompted to set your Contrast. On an Apple Display you do not have this capability so click the right arrow button to proceed.

This will take you to the next screen where you will be prompted to set your RGB Color. On an Apple Display you do not have this capability so click the right arrow button to proceed.

This will take you to the next screen where you will be prompted to set your Luminance. Place your device on the monitor (centered) and click the Start button to set your luminance.

After cllicking the start button your monitor will go through a series of black and white screens to find your device. When the software has found your device the Luminance Indicator window will open. This shows the target luminance of the monitor and the current luminance of the monitor. Use your brightness controls in either your system preferences, keyboard or monitor to achieve the target luminance. When you are within 1-2 points of the target luminance click the Stop button.

After you click stop it will take you back to the main window. Click the Right Arrow to proceed. After clicking the right arrow the color calibration will automatically begin. Do not move the calibration device until the process is completed.

Once it is finished the final window will open. In this screen you can name your profile and activate the calibration reminder. After changing these settings to your preference click Finish Calibration button. You have now completed your monitor calibration.

Posted by Foto Care Editor | Posted in Foto Coach | Posted on Tuesday, April 6th, 2010

Foto Coach shares tips on how to calibrate your monitor using Color Navigator.

To begin, make sure you have downloaded the most recent version of the Color Navigator software from the website and launch the program. After you launch Color Navigator you will be prompted to select the calibration device you are using. After choosing the correct device click the OK button.

This will open the main startup screen for Color Navigator. When this screen opens click on Create New Target at the bottom of the screen. This will allow you to choose custom settings.

This will take you to the Brightness/White Point menu. Under this menu your options should be as shown in the image below. After you have changed these settings click the Next button at the bottom of the screen. Note: These settings are starting points. You may need to change them if you see the screen is not matching your prints.

Please note these recommended settings:

For Printing:

• Brightness: 90 or 100 (dependent on room brightness)
• White Point: 5700 K

For Viewing (not printing):

• Brightness: 90 or 100 (dependent on room brightness)
• White Point: 6000 K

After clicking next it will take you to the Black Level menu. Under this menu you do not need to change anything. It should stay at the default and not clicked on. Click the Next button at the bottom of the screen.

This will take you to the Gamma menu. Under this menu your settings should be as follows on the screen below. After you have changed these settings click the Finish button at the bottom of the screen.

This open the Make a New Target window. Here you will either keep the name which is automatically made or you can create a custom name. After you have chosen a name for the profile click the OK button at the bottom of the menu.

This will take you to the final screen before calibration. Click Adjust Now to calibrate the monitor. After you click Adjust Now place the calibration device on the monitor and follow the on screen instructions.

And that’s all there is to it. Let us know if  you found this post helpful.