Calibration or not?

[RebeccaAPhotography]

I ordered some photos off of mpix.com and I noticed at the end of the ordering process it asks you if you would like your photos to be color corrected? color calibrated? They use the computer that is directly set up to the printer to make sure it is supposed to look the way it is??

Well my question is how many folks use that feature?? I chose not to but I think I'm going to order some photos for Gavin's photo album and see what they look like vs. what it looks like on my computer.

Also is it worth having my lap top screen calibrated so I am ordering exactly what I think I see?

 

[vivalaveritas]

IMO it's always a good idea to be calibrated correctly. Remember though, when others view from their (probably uncalibrated) computers it still may look off.

 

[Josh66]

I never let them do color correction. I am working on a calibrated screen though, so the colors are already correct.

If you're not working on a calibrated screen, you really have no way of know if the colors are off or by how much (until you have the print to compare it to). In that case, it might be best to let them correct it. You just have to hope that the person who does the editing has the same taste as you, lol.

 

[RebeccaAPhotography]

I think im going to look into calibrating my screen problem solved! hahaha. Like I said I think i'm going to test it on some photos for kids 2yr old photo albums.

 

[mwcfarms]

Calibrating your screen is different than calibrating for a printer profile isn't it? I have my monitor calibrated and my lab did three test prints to make sure it was correct and I try to calibrate every two to three months depending on how busy I am. Not a working professional though.

 

[tirediron]

Calibrating your screen is different than calibrating for print. In my experience, unless you are doing your own printing, on a good printer, or work with a high-end lab, your best bet is to process to your lab's printer.

 

[Big Mike]

I think im going to look into calibrating my screen problem solved! hahaha. Like I said I think i'm going to test it on some photos for kids 2yr old photo albums.

Yes, certainly look into calibrating your screen (requires a calibration device and associated software)....but keep in mind that calibrating a laptop is still not the best option. Firstly, most laptop screens are not the best type of screen technology (TN) for calibration. An IPS type screen/monitor is a better option if you want accurate calibration and display of your images.
Secondly, it's a laptop...and as such, your viewing angle and even editing location may change every time you use your computer. Part of accurate calibration and consistency is editing your photos in the same location (under the same lighting) as much as possible.

 

[KmH]

I recommend you read through the following group of tutorials; Tutorials on Color Management & Printing

At Mpix - Scroll to the bottom of this page Mpix.com - Help to where it discusses "Are ICC profiles available for soft proofing?" then click on 'Download Here". Once downloaded open the file and click on "ICC Profiles" and then click on "Softproofing help.pdf".

For calibrating your computer display, Mpix and several other of the popular online print labs recommend you use the X-Rite i1Display 2 Color Calibrator for LCD, CRT, and Laptop Displays and it's associated software to calibrate your display.