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rlsnights
Joined: 17 Jul 2011
Posts: 4
Location: west Coast USA
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 Posted: Sun Jul 17, 2011 2:46 pm Post subject: saving print settings? |
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I did a search and couldn't find the answer to my question so I'm hoping someone here can help me out.
I am printing photos of my artwork to sell as prints/cards.
After spending several hours getting the piece perfected for printing (colors right, no imperfections or distortions, etc.) I want to be able to save the print settings that got me the perfect final result.
I have found that I can't always use the same color and printer profile to get the end result I want. So sometimes I am using no color management, other times one of the pre-set color management schemas and so on.
Is there an easy way (besides writing it all down) for me to save this information along with the final version of the photo so the next time I want to print the pic all I have to do is print it?
Any other tips you have to share to speed up this kind of project would be much appreciated. I am spending as much time (or more) finalizing the piece for printing as I am making the original and I have the feeling I just don't understand/know simpler ways to make adjustments so they print right. Most of my pieces have been scanned at 720 DPI (or higher) in a TIFF format. Some are digitally photographed.
I will post one of my pieces in the Review section in case you would like to see what I am working with.
Thanks so much. |
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thehermit
Joined: 05 Mar 2003
Posts: 3987
Location: Cheltenham, UK
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| Posted: Mon Jul 18, 2011 7:02 am Post subject: |
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Hi rlsnights, welcome to the forum. I presume (with no sense of irony) that you are using Photoshop. You are going to have to develop your own colour managed work-flow.
Monitor should be calibrated and profiled, Images should come with a proper profile attached and leave with an appropriate profile according to it's destination. Finally Photoshop should be colour managed and set up to soft proof your output.
Here's a couple of links to get you started, but it's a large and weighty subject, obviously settings you input can vary according to continents, so it pays to read all you can on the subject.
Colour Management
Photoshop Colour Management
_________________
If life serves you lemons, make lemonade! |
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rlsnights
Joined: 17 Jul 2011
Posts: 4
Location: west Coast USA
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| Posted: Mon Jul 18, 2011 10:01 am Post subject: |
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I have read some of the stuff out there - you are so right there's a ton and I found it confusing at times. So I need to re-read it several times I guess.
My frustration is that, despite using the same source (Epson scanner) with the same color space and the same dpi and format (TIFF) when scanning there is NO consistency in the output and I have to do a lot of trial and error to get a printed pic that accurately resembles the original.
One of the things I often have to manipulate is the color management at the print settings stage of the process. This is what I am thinking I shouldn't have to do.
Sometimes I just have to change the color management option in the print settings. Other times I have to change the color space on the original pic. Other times I have to mess with the print settings in more detail like tweaking the black/white/grey balance.
But the main thing right now that is bugging me - is there a way for me to associate the changes I have made at the print settings level with an individual pic so that I don't have to write it down but can just choose to print the pic again and have it do it.
I am using Photoshop Elements 8. My monitor set up and calibration are not ideal but I have calibrated the screen using a couple of different free-ware programs and that doesn't seem to be the problem. Since I can't afford the hardware color calibration stuff right now I will have to work with what I've got.
I do work in a darkened room when possible but this mostly means the middle of the night since my "studio" is a corner of the family room. LOL |
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