Monitor Calibration

[Ernicus]

Ok, so...I set up an account with an online lab. Sent off 5 test files for print. I got them back today. The colors seem to match well, but what is a very noticeable difference is the brightness. (prbly using wrong terms...so bear with me).

I sent 2 b&w and 3 color. The most noticeable difference is in the B&W's. The colors aren't terrible...just seem dull, and one where the sky is a nice bright contrast color to the green in the pic, it's not like that on the print. The B&W's are seemingly very dark, the grays are a dull gray, the blacks are fine...in one the lighter areas are not bright at all, but dull. I don't know what other word to use other than dull. I guess they all seem underexposed really when I think about it.

So, obviously what I am seeing on my computer is not what is will come out should I take pics that I like and want to print, probly not what you folks are seeing when I ask for critiques either. lol.

I have read some threads concerning calibration, however I am not sure if they work on laptops. I am currently using a laptop as my pc for editing. I don't have a desktop yet...one is in the plans for the future, but right now...I don't have one and it's not an option to get one.

I guess my main question is, can you calibrate laptops? If so, what is the least expensive route to go that will get me close enough.

Thanks.

I have the color settings set properly in my photoshop based on recommendations from the lab and it matches what I have read on here as well.

 

[Dao]

I wonder if you can get an external monitor and calibrate it.

I currently using the i1 Display 2 to calibrate my monitors. It is quite simple to use.



I remember sometimes back, a forum member post a link to a image/color chart. He said send that to the printer without any modification. And then once you receive the print, try to match that with your screen visually.

 

[Ernicus]

I wonder if you can get an external monitor and calibrate it.

Not a bad idea. Definitely cheaper than a new pc. Didn't even think of that.

 

[TheKenTurner]

I'm on my phone right now, but on my laptop (PC), I know Intel has "display options" (I think that's what they're called) and you can change temperature etc on that. If you can't find it, I can do it on my laptop tomorrow.

-ken Turner