HOW TO SELECT DEVICE*TO*SIMULATE

[eliza89681725]

How do you know what to select in View>Proof Setup>Custom> under Device to Simulate? Is this a paper quality & printer profile combination? If it's paper, how do you know the profile of the paper being used - eg. I am looking at a package of Kodak Premium Paper and there does not appear to be any reference that matches the drop-down list in Device to Simulate.

[Derek Cross]

https://www.on-linepaper.co.uk/icc-profiles-all-brands

[eliza89681725]

Thank you Derek. The link looked promising, but resulted in a 403 error. I just tried several other links on this site which do work. Will check it again, later today.

[NB, colourmanagement · Accepted solution]

Hi eliza89681725

Photoshop's view/soft-proof/custom -  'device to simulate' option allows you to soft-proof a specific output device and media.

Soft-proofing improves on-screen prediction of printed appearance. But only IF you have a good ICC profile for the printer and paper in use.

In your case this device is probably an inkjet printer with Kodak Premium Paper

So you need to add an ICC profile made for the printer you have with the Kodak Premium Paper then select it there.

To print you'll also need to follow Kodak's printing instructions, let's hope they come with the paper

-  ideally use "Photoshop Manages Color" and select the printer/paper profile there 

next under printer settings in 'media type' select the media name Kodak tell you to use. 

That way, you'll get an accurate print to match your calibrated and profiled display screen.

I hope this helps
neil barstow, colourmanagement net :: adobe forum volunteer
google me "neil barstow colourmanagement" for lots of free articles on colour management
[please only use the blue reply button at the top of the page, this maintains the original thread title and chronological order of posts]

[eliza89681725]

I have marked a correct answer for my question, however, while helpful, I can't say that my prints are perfect by any means. This is going to be an on-going process, with quite a steep learning curve in order to end up with real quality prints.

This information has been helpful, but the more I search, the more complicated it becomes - brand, grade, weight, thickness, colour, texture and absorbancy. I fear that as an end user, I will have no choice but to stick with paper produced by my printer manufacturer. Trying to put off purchasing newer equipment, I am following Ben Long's Inkjet Printing: Advanced Photography Techniques at https://www.linkedin.com/learning/me?u=2199673. One of the most important things I have picked up (almost a throw-away) is that I will never please everyone.
https://www.on-linepaper.co.uk/icc-profiles-all-brands continues produce a 403 Forbidden msg.

[NB, colourmanagement]

Hi eliza89681725

It is certainly simpler to use papers made by your printer manufacturer, because those paper profiles are installed when you install the printer driver software. 

Given that, I always recommend people do initial tests that way - to "learn" how colour management works.

Screen and print match:

If you are hoping for a good match between print and monitor display screen, as well as a good printer/paper profile,  you’ll ideally need a good icc profile for the monitor display system too. 

That profile is made in a process of “calibration and profiling" using a device like X-Rite's i1 display pro. 

I prefer to use the X-rite sensor with this software https://www.colourmanagement.net/products/basiccolor/basiccolor-display-software/

ADDITIONALLY: 

you'll need to view both print and screen in suitable lighting for each

- the screen should be viewed in subdued light, ideally subdued daylight and AND with no bright colour areas visible to the operator.

- the print should be viewed in good quite bright daylight

as you can see from the above, there isn’t a situation where [unless you have a print viewing booth*] one can view a print held up alongside a screen - the light will be either to dim for the print, or too bright for the screen. 

*see: https://www.colourmanagement.net/products/gti-lite/#PDV_e_desktop_viewers

Once you have a decent match between screen and print on the printer manufacturer's own papers, you can then safely venture into the realms of paper from other suppliers.

I would recommend, though, that if you do, you ask 2 important questions:

1: are there ICC profiles for this paper and my printer? 

2: can you provide instructions as to what media setting options I should select in "Printer Settings"?

I hope this helps
neil barstow, colourmanagement net :: adobe forum volunteer
google me "neil barstow colourmanagement" for lots of free articles on colour management
[please only use the blue reply button at the top of the page, this maintains the original thread title and chronological order of posts]