Datacolor User to User Support Group.

I would be interested in hearing if what I am about to suggest is wrong or
if there is a way to achieve a printed output that has the same punch and
vibrance as the monitor display.  However, in the meantime, I will suggest
that monitor displays are transmissive presentations while printed outputs
are reflective.  This may account for the dulling down of the appearance
between the monitor display and the printed output.  I would also suggest
that, while the soft proof display - which is also a transmissive output -
may be punchier than the actual printed output, it is probably slightly
duller and less punchy than the working space preview or standard desktop
versions of the image display to replicate what the printed output might be
- i.e., to take into account dulling down of reflective outputs.

 

From: colorvision_group@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:colorvision_group@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of rschoner
Sent: Saturday, July 12, 2008 10:27 PM
To: colorvision_group@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [colorvision_group] PerpetualVisions Review/Faded preview, print

 

Hi,

I have been working with the PrintFix Pro for a few months now and 
have been generally happy with the results. I can get the colors to 
match but the preview and the print are muted compared with the 
original. I have been working around the problem by opening the 
original and a copy in PhotoShop, previewing the copy and modifying 
the previewed copy until it looks like the unpreviewed original. 
Another work around was to do the same thing with a MacBeth color 
checker and develop a curves correction which I save and apply to the 
photo before print. This works well for landscapes but produces red 
faces in photos. Also, the "punched-up" version tends to lose shadow 
detail.

I just read the review by PerpetualVisions referenced on the 
DataColor Homepage. About halfway through the review is a comparison 
between a soft-proofed and original DataColor test image. The soft-
proofed image is faded compared to the original. This is exactly 
what I am seeing. The PhotoShop soft proof is better, which also 
corresponds with my experience. And, if you look at the soft proof in 
the review and notice the girl's face in the third photo top row it's 
a little red; if you punch-up the image the face will take on a 
reddish cast.

Do you have any suggestions for "punching-up" the profile other than 
what I am doing? I also tried building the profile with my 
PhotoShop "curve" correction but applying it to the photo instead of 
the profile gives better results. 

Thanks for your help.

Bob Schoner