Cross-platform Display Calibration

[onlythecat]

I've been trying to do a few prints of some of my photos and the monitor calibration issue is driving me crazy. My photos look completely different on each computer and different when they are printed. The problem is that I would, ideally, like to calibrate a Linux laptop, an iMac, and some Windows machines. Is there any device that will let me do this?

If that's not possible, what's the best system for calibrating the display of a slightly older (all white) iMac?

Thanks.

[BBPhoto]

I have used Spyder2 suite & Spyder2 pro to calibrate both Windows (2K, Vista, XP) and Mac machines (OS X 10.4+ & 10.5+) with almost perfect results on both CRT and LCD displays. I do not think that Linux software or drivers exist for these products but I could be wrong.

[Csae]

Theres also printer calibrations available.

When you calibrate with the Spyder2, i guess it gives you some sort of ICC profile? or its just a monitor thing, because if it gives you an ICC profile to run on your printer as well, now thatd be neat.

[BBPhoto]

Theres also printer calibrations available.

When you calibrate with the Spyder2, i guess it gives you some sort of ICC profile? or its just a monitor thing, because if it gives you an ICC profile to run on your printer as well, now thatd be neat.

Some of the Spyder 2nd generation products came with tunable ICC printer profiles and a printer calibration software. I never used them and I always heard mixed reviews about them. I understand that the latest generation of products is much improved in this area.

[Anthony]

You started me thinking about calibrating my monitor but then that means I have to do my printer as well and that starts to get expensive.

Anyway I found this interesting site while I was looking into monitor calibration: http://www.tftcentral.co.uk/articles/calibrating.htm

I looked on ebay for one of the calibraters and found one second hand for 1/2 price ( supposedly ). From memory £150 + £9.50 p&p I thought I would check amazon and it was only again from memory £0.28 cheaper but with free P&P; it shows not every thing on ebay is a bargin.

[James DeRuvo DHQ]

The problem is you're dealing with three different mediums and reflective versus projection. Secondly, color standards aren’t accurate on screens vs. printing. (called “Gamut”) Calibration of the monitor and the printer has to be done, and then have the color profile applied properly. It’s a house of colorful cards. Not only do you have to have the printer calibrated but also adjusting the monitor to match the printer (even if it looks off on the display). Much easier to have things printed professionally if you’re looking for an accurate color.