responses

1. Ben McElroy2008/9/2 @ 16:15

   Your eyes. Really that’s the only one that counts. But if you’re looking to get more consistent color “translation” then go ahead and invest in a colorimeter device and software package. Color management is really about having a consistent and reliable method of translating colors into and out of a color space. As each device (computer, printer, scanner or even camera) has specific capabilities, by calibrating and assigning specific color profiles to your devices, you can manage your workflow and ensure that the colors from device 1 translate into device 2 in a consistent manner. Most devices already come with an assigned color profile and usually the only devices you will need to calibrate and create a profile for would be your monitor and possibly your printer. To be honest, I’ve never needed to calibrate my devices all that much as I’ve used the existing device profiles and calibrated my monitor as needed - but again, it really all depends on your eyes and what you consider good enough. Hope that helps. If you’re using a Mac you might check out and read up on ColorSync.

2. wade2008/9/2 @ 21:55

   I used to calibrate my displays every week back in the CRT days. Big studios used to do it every morning. I haven’t done it once since LCDs came around though. You can calibrate an LCD, but they really don’t need it. They come pre-calibrated and don’t slip out of calibration like CRTs do (no moving parts). I’m not saying that there isn’t any reason to ever calibrate anymore, but I do believe that its overkill for most people. Unless you need some seriously crazy accuracy, and have multiple devices that you need to see it flow across (camera, screen, scanner, printer, etc and are willing to live your life as a slave to color profiles), I wouldn’t give it another thought.

3. a.d.852008/9/4 @ 13:10

   The problem I am having is that whenever I am trying to spec a color, especially a pantone, it is always way different on screen. I know there is going to be somewhat of a loss in translation, but I was trying to figure out a way to get it a bit closer to the real deal.

4. Ben McElroy2008/9/4 @ 16:27

   Well Pantone is an ink system - they are specifically formatted inks. As such, you’re never going to get 100% accurate colors on your screen. What you should do is invest in a Pantone swatch book. Then when you print your roughs to show the client, bring along the book to show them just how that blue will actually appear (blues are especially tricky going from RGB to CMYK or an ink system). Something else, unless you’re doing primarily web design work, you should use the US North America Prepress color settings in your Adobe applications. This will generally get you pretty close matches if your devices understand and honor color profiles. And for a last, final option, you can always print your artwork, then use that as a guide to color-correct your digital artwork near enough to what you really want to see, and reprint. But I don’t recommend that last approach - its usually a good way to wast valuable ink.

5. laurenhayes2008/9/19 @ 1:40

   If you’re going to invest in ANY calibration software, get Color Munki from Pantone!!!! It is amazing! My husband and i have a studio with Macs and HD cinema displays. The colors of both screens not matching was driving my husband crazy so we did some research and Color Munki blew away everything else. My favorite thing is that it is so easy to use, set up, etc. Also, you will get colors on screen that will most accurately match your PMS colors.