laptop screen Calibration any advice

[iwols]

hi all just wondered if anyone had used a Datacolor Spyder4Epress to calibrate there laptop screen or any other of the numerous devices that spyder make,or have any comments /are they worth it etc thanks in advance

 

[G.K.Jnr.]

Hi, We calibrate all of our screens including laptops at the start of our working week using a "Spyder 4 Express" and would not hesitate to recommend them.

At first we thought they calibrated just a shade on the warm side compared to what we had been used to but must admit to prefering them now to our previous set up.

It is essential though to let your screens warm up for at least half an hour before calibration.

We print mostly to Fuji paper using Epson printers and very seldom have any problems with colour balance on prints.

Hope this helps.

 

[iwols]

Thanks George,does it mean that if I calibrated my laptop then took the files to say Asda to have printed it would match there calibration

 

[redhed17]

Thanks George,does it mean that if I calibrated my laptop then took the files to say Asda to have printed it would match there calibration

Possibly. It depends on how their machines are calibrated, and how often they are calibrated. You would at least know that the images were correct on your screen, and if the prints are widely different then it is more likely to be their problem.

I was told in Jessops (pre bust) a few years ago that their machines didn't need calibrating by one member of staff after a poor print. The next time I went in another member of staff said their machines got calibrated every Sunday, but the girl who did it had been off for 3 weeks. :bonk: The difference between their uncalibrated and calibrated prints was like night and day.

I then got the same image printed by as many local print outlets as I could think of. I think Boots were closest to what I was seeing on my screen, though it wasn't totally correct. The variability amongst the different print was stunning.

Get the image edited how you want it to be on screen, preferably with a calibrated screen, and then find the shop that gets closest to your screen.

 

[G.K.Jnr.]

Thanks George,does it mean that if I calibrated my laptop then took the files to say Asda to have printed it would match there calibration

Hi, As Redhead said it depends on the calibration of the machines in the print shop. You just need to find one that works for you but at least you'll know that your images are correct.

 

[iwols]

thanks guys for all replies,might buy one if i can source one at the right price