Comparing the Output to the Display

When you have finished printing using Photoshop's proofing feature, you'll want to compare the output to what you see on your monitor. Keep in mind that even if you have done everything right, the two may not match exactly because of potential differences between the gamut of the two devices. The idea is to use the soft proof to enable you to make color adjustments to the image with confidence. Soft proofing can help you gain experience in visualizing these differences so that ultimately you can reduce the time and cost required to make additional prints until you get the desired results.

Lighting Conditions

The lighting conditions under which color prints are viewed directly affects the appearance of the color. For example, a printed image can look very different when viewed under indoor lighting conditions compared to how it would look if it were viewed outside in natural light. There are two basic choices for dealing with viewing conditions.

The first option is to view your printed output in a controlled lighting environment that is consistent with the computer environment in which the images are displayed. In other words, if your monitor is calibrated to D65, you should view the printed images in a 6500-kelvin light booth. Controlled lighting sources range from relatively low-cost light bulbs that fit into standard lamps to very expensive light booths, like the kind you'll find next to a printing press. The more expensive solutions typically output two or more common color temperatures, such as 5000 K and 6500 K.

The second option which I prefer is that your prints may be viewed under any number of lighting conditions: at home, in outdoor daylight, in a studio, in an office, or even on an airplane, for example. Given that you cannot control the conditions in which your final color will be viewed, it does not make sense to invest in expensive color-controlled viewing environments when you evaluate proofs. Instead, rely on limited, reasonable controls, such as the following:

• Avoid extreme lighting conditions, such as direct sunlight. Opt instead for daylight filtered through a window.

• Use a flat, neutral-color paint around your computer workstation.

• Wear neutral-colored clothing when you view proofs.

• Use a hood on your display. Avoid direct light on the display.

I have found that a high-quality calibrated display, accurate profiles, and the right settings produce a very good match between my monitor display and prints.