Monitor Calibration Guide
Monitor Calibration is needed because all digital color devices reproduce color differently. The monitor that you are working on at home may not match the monitor that your digital imaging lab is using for professional color correction. In order for our customers to receive back good quality and accurate color corrected prints, we will work together as a team in getting the Studio monitors to match the Lab’s monitors.
United Promotions has created a Monitor Calibration kit for the Studio and the Photographer. This kit contains a CD, one 8x10 photo and instructions on calibrating your monitor. If you will be using Adobe Photoshop, there are a few steps that need to be taken.
Before we begin, open Photoshop:
- To edit “color settings” settings needs to set on Custom, under working spaces change this to sRGB IEC61966-2.1. All other settings should match the diagram A below.
- Go to View “Proof Setup” Custom. Change setup to customize the settings in Diagram B below, change your profile to sRGB IEC61966-2.1, change the intent to Perceptual, and click OK.
Diagram A
Diagram B
Load the CD. Copy the folder onto your hard drive and you are ready to start your calibration. You will need to set the light in the room to low light. Make sure that there is no light glaring on the monitor, like a window with sunlight coming in. Open the image [ Portra160.jpg ] in your photo editing software like Adobe Photoshop. Most monitors typically include user controls for adjusting your white point. This is usually referred to in terms of temperature (5000°K, 6500°K, etc.); we recommend that you set your white point at 6500°K. When completed with that step, you are ready to move on to the second step.
Step two: compare the digital image to the hard copy. Adjust your brightness on the monitor to match the density of the hard copy. Next set your overall contrast to match the print. Use your Red, Green, Blue sliders to adjust the overall color. This requires patience and a good eye for color. Once you have matched the digital image to your hard copy, you're done.