Knowledgebase
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SoftProofing for Press with a Calibrated Monitor
Posted by Larisa Bolli on 27 July 2009 01:29 PM
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Q: How to I get my monitor (which is bright and colorful) to look like the MatchPrints for my press job (dark, and dull). Simply calibrating my monitor doesn't fix this. A: I would recommend that you purchase a copy of the book "Real World Photoshop" which will explain in detail how to emulate a press standard on screen, on your calibrated monitor, and other related color management processes. We can assist you in calibrating your monitor, but we really can't teach all the other components of prepress color management in the process. But here is a very simple description of the process, in a recent version of Photoshop (the process will be somewhat different in InDesign, etc). First open your file in the correct colorspace, if it does not have a tag attached that tells Photoshop what colorspace its in, then you can't trust the color in it, as its undefined. Next, assuming an RGB image, go to View> ProofSetup > Custom, and chose the appropriate Photoshop Press Standard Profile for your purpose (typically US Sheetfed Coated for much US work). Choose Relative Colorimetric intent, black point compensation, and ink black simulation, and paper white simulation, depending on the paper that will be used. Now, if the View >Proof Colors choice is checked, you will see a press proof on screen. This should now show a somewhat dimmer, duller, muddier image on screen, softproofed to the press standard. For an even darker version, you can try unchecking Black Point Compensation. You can softproof to a MatchPrint profile as well, though it needs to be for the correct press type too. For an even more dramatic test, proof to U. S Web Uncoated 2... which will show you a lower grade press, weaker blacks, duller colors, weaker paper white, etc. | |
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