You can find the article here with a step-by-step workaround to fix the problem:
http://www.luminous-landscape.com/tutorials/solving.shtml

The following 4×6-inch test file can be downloaded at the link below:

http://www.andrewdarlow.com/ctest.zip

The file contains color and black and white images sized to 280PPI on a 4×6 canvas and saved with the sRGB working space.

You should then save the file as a JPG file (quality 9, 10, 11 or 12 is recommended-12 is best, but will create a larger file) and send the target image to your lab to print.

Because this tip is primarily for continuous-tone printers like those found in professional photo labs, the file is in the sRGB working space and Photoshop PSD format. Saving a JPG on top of a JPG is a no-no because you will keep introducing more artifacts as you save a JPG on top of a JPG. The image includes some text, which also helps to judge the sharpness of the lab’s output.

Note: It is very important to instruct your lab to turn off any color correction, or you won’t be able to properly control the color and density of your prints!

I have a similar file here with the same test image in AdobeRGB color space, which is ideal for inkjet printer testing.

Enjoy!

The fee for either full-day workshop is just $179. I’d also like to offer a $30 discount on either of the two workshops to our readers, which is valid if you register by Thursday, 9/10.

For more information or to register for the Saturday 9/12 workshop (the discount code is embedded), visit this page.

For more information or to register for the Sunday 9/13 workshop (the discount code is embedded), visit this page.

For either day, the page will display “sold out” at the top if all 8 seats have been reserved.

All the best!

Andrew

For more information or to register, visit this page. I hope to see some inkjettips.com readers there!

When you install a printer driver from a CD, or by downloading it from the printer manufacturer’s website to make sure it is a current version (recommended), printer profiles are generally a part of the install. For Mac users using OSX, the profiles will usually be placed in one of three places:

1. /Library/ColorSync/Profiles (visible and usable by all users).

2. In your User folder (next to the house icon)/Library/ColorSync/Profiles (visible and usable by just the current User).

or here:

3. Main Hard Drive with your OSX system files/Library/Printers

What’s interesting is that OSX Spotlight searches for the profiles in Number 3 above don’t appear to work (at least they didn’t for me). Files in that section may be considered special files, and I’m sure a Unix/OSX systems expert will know exactly why that’s happening.

Also note that you will need to restart Photoshop (or any other color management aware application from which you are printing) if Photoshop is open when you add profiles to your Profiles folder. That will allow the profile list in Photoshop to refresh.

A more efficient way to find all the profiles on your system is by using a great application that comes free with your Mac. It is called “ColorSync Utility” and can be found in your Applications/Utilities folder.

One section of the Apple ColorSync Utility with the “Profiles” icon selected.

After launching the application, choose “Profiles” from the icons at the top of the screen, and then look down the list on the left of the screen. If you look inside the item named “Other” you will see the path to the “hidden profiles” that I mentioned in Number 3 above. You can also take a look at the profile in 3D color space.

To receive all the Inkjet FAQ’s as they are added to the website (and to receive all the posts on inkjettips.com), visit this page and add your e-mail address.

Below is a description of my seminar:

How To Choose the Right Inkjet Printers and Papers (TC8)
Thursday, Oct 23, 2008: 3:45 PM – 5:45 PM

This lecture/demonstration by Andrew Darlow—photographer, consultant and author—covers the following: an overview of pro-quality printers from Canon, Epson and HP; a description of more than 20 recommended inkjet papers (including glossy, fiber gloss, and watercolor); and tips for optimizing print quality with specific papers and printers, such as how to effectively coat papers and canvas for better protection and longevity. Selected prints output from Canon, Epson and HP printers will be on display, and participants will receive more than 25 letter-sized blank sheets of high-end inkjet papers for testing. Handouts describing the papers and products discussed during the workshop will also be provided.

As I count them up, I will actually be giving to each participant more than 40 letter-sized blank sheets of high-end inkjet papers (2 sheets each more than 20 gloss, semi-gloss, fiber gloss and fiber-semi-gloss, matte and watercolor papers) from a number of different companies. These were chosen by me because I’ve tested them and think that they are worth trying (primarily if you have a pigment-based inkjet printer).

There are only 100 spaces available for this workshop. To check pricing, or to register, visit the PhotoPlus Expo website registration page.

About PDN PhotoPlus International Conference + Expo

Designed for professionals in the photographic and imaging industries, PDN PhotoPlus showcases the latest advances in photography, both traditional and digital. Held annually at the Jacob Javits Convention Center, attendees have the opportunity to explore an inspiring array of photography and imaging products and services – everything from image capture and color management to retouching and storage – all from the industry’s leading manufacturers.

The show also offers over 100 photography and imaging seminars and hands-on workshops taught by world-renowned experts with a focus on cutting-edge innovations in digital imaging products and techniques.

More information on PDN PhotoPlus International Conference + Expo is available at:
http://www.photoplusexpo.com

You  can find the article on The Imaging Buffet here.

Inkjet FAQ 001: My Monitor is Too Bright, Even After Calibrating and Profiling. What Do I Do?

After working with a client recently who has an Intel Core 2 Duo iMac 24″, I wrote an article about how to adjust the contrast in a way few people realize is available. The iMac 24″ does not have a specific on-screen display menu with Contrast, Brightness and specific that is common on virtually all CRT monitors and many LCD monitors. For monitors that do have adjustments, you can often tone down the display brightness with a combination of adjustments to the Contrast, Brightness and in some cases, individual RGB color controls.

Here are a few excerpts from another article I wrote on the topic:

After adjusting the contrast bar to a point nearly all the way to the left, and then calibrating and profiling, the iMac’s screen was still too bright (even at minimum brightness), so I installed a freeware application by Charcoal Design named Shades. Just a small adjustment did the trick. I recommend turning on Shades (you’ll find it in System Preferences after installing) after doing a hardware calibration with a device like the Spyder 3 Colorimeter or the X-Rite i1 Display 2 Colorimeter. It is important to only run shades after you do a hardware calibration. You can also use the built-in calibration/profiling options on your  Mac, or Adobe Gamma on Windows, but a hardware calibration is better.

I recommend using a standard image that contains a range of color images, plus a neutral gray step wedge to determine how well your monitor is displaying images. You can find one that I assembled at www.andrewdarlow.com/calib.html. If your screen is well calibrated and profiled, you should be able to distinguish individual tones in all of the 21 boxes of the step wedge.

Five of the same full-day workshops have already filled, but as of today (7/14/2008), some space remains for this workshop. For a full description of this full day workshop (limited to just five participants), I’ve created a two page brochure with a full overview of the class. You can download it below:

Thurs., August 14th workshop (limited to five participants)
http://www.inkjettips.com/20080814NJseminar.pdf

All the best!
-Andrew