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C
Ccomstoc
Participating Frequently
December 3, 2018
Answered

Printing colors accurately with MacBook Pro and Dell monitor

  • December 3, 2018
  • 3 replies
  • 2595 views

I have a new MacBook pro with Lightroom Classic on it. I use a Dell 2717D monitor and a color munki calibration system. When I print, the color does not match the Dell where I am doing the editing in LR. However, it does match the MacBook pro screen when I opened it to check. I am printing to an Epson 3880. When I edited on the MacBook and printed, the colors were fine. Any ideas as to how I can get the printer to print what is on the dell, and not on the MacBook? Is there a setting in LR to choose which monitor to use? I previously used a Mac Mini with the same monitor and printer and all was fine.

    This topic has been closed for replies.
    Correct answer Jao vdL

    Thanks. Still trying to figure out which monitor image LR uses for printing.

    Sent from my iPhone


    It does not use ANY monitor when printing. When it prints, it takes the file in the internal working space and translates it into the color profile for the printer (if you use managed by lightroom) or sends the file in prophotoRGB to the printer driver which then translates it into the printing profile. The monitor does not get involved at all. The way color management works is to have a separate file that describes the characteristic color rendering for every output device. These files are created by measuring the output characteristics of the devices using calibration tools such as the colormunkis and spectrophotometers for printers. The color management system then translates images from their absolute reference (i.e the working space) to the device color space described by the calibration profiles depending on which device it is sent to. If the computer has the correct device profiles associated with every device that the image is sent to (i.e monitors, printers, etc.), you will see identical color everywhere. So a monitor color profile never gets involved with printing.

    3 replies

    J
    Community Expert
    Jao vdLCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    December 4, 2018

    To further qualify, if you see large differences between two monitors, one or both of the color profiles for these monitors is incorrect.

    J
    Community Expert
    Jao vdLCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    December 3, 2018

    Double check whether the profile for the Dell is actually being used in the operating system. This is done in the system preferences->Displays->color tab. Make sure that for each display the correct profile is used. Both should have be done using the colormunki system. Lightroom can deal with multiple monitors just fine as long as the OS has the right profile associated with the right monitor.

    C
    CcomstocAuthor
    Participating Frequently
    December 3, 2018

    I have the MacBook screen and the Dell monitor profiled and I have closed the MacBook so the only monitor that is active (and shows in Preferences on the Mac) - but when I print Mac screen is the one used in printing. I can amp up the colors in LR using the Dell, but the printed version is the muted colors on the Mac. I would like to have LR and the printer only use the Dell. And I appreciate your assistance!

    Sent from my iPhone

    J
    Community Expert
    Jao vdLCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    December 3, 2018

    Is the correct profile showing in the display preferences on the dell

    monitor? What happens when you quit and restart Lightroom with just the

    dell monitor active.

    cmgap
    Community Expert
    cmgapCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    December 3, 2018

    Not sure I understand the question. Have you calibrated the Dell monitor and the MBP? You should have both monitors calibrated so that you are getting the same or very similar result regardless of which monitor you edit on.

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