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R
RAB123
Inspiring
June 21, 2022
Question

Profiling a lab

  • June 21, 2022
  • 2 replies
  • 931 views

A commercial printing lab I use, the color is off a little, most labs are pretty close but this one is a tad warm. How do I send them profile corrected files so that the prints are clean and free of their color bias - so that they match any other prints I make or a lab makes. I/We use sRGB jpg's and I have a color corrected workflow using monitor profiles and paper profiles with x-rite software and hardware. How about sending them lab a color chart, to print on matte canvas, and then profile that chart - how do I convert the color space of an image to that paper profile so i can send it to the lab and have the color be neutral? 

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2 replies

NB, colourmanagement
Community Expert
NB, colourmanagementCommunity Expert
Community Expert
June 24, 2022

It is feasible to make an ICC profile for a lab's output. I've done it.

But as Digitaldog wrote the Lab has to cooperate and the line has to stay consistent. 

Maybe test a few labs until you find one you like.

 

Of course if your own display screen has a bluish tint then an accurate print WILL look too warm compared. 

 

I use this Adobe RGB testimage - you can convert to sRGB if that’s what they specify, many labs fun such as Fuji Frontier and that accepts only sRGB. 

 

Want to be sure all the ducks are in a row? 

Have you ever wondered how to KNOW whether your screen [or printer] is ACCURATE and not just 'pleasing'?
If so please check this out: http://www.colourmanagement.net/products/icc-profile-verification-kit

 

I hope this helps
neil barstow, colourmanagement net :: adobe forum volunteer:: co-author: 'getting colour right'
google me "neil barstow colourmanagement" for lots of free articles on colour management

    R
    RAB123Author
    Inspiring
    July 8, 2022

    I hold the print next to the screen for comparison - the top labs are very close.

    Semaphoric
    Community Expert
    SemaphoricCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    July 8, 2022

    What type of lighting are you using to illuminate the prints?

     

    TheDigitalDog
    TheDigitalDog
    Inspiring
    June 21, 2022

    Without direct input and cooperation, this isn't going to fly. 

    First, they MUST output the color targets with no color management, any automatic corrections or anything that would affect the output day in and day out. A profile profiles a fixed condition. If the conditions change, the profile is invalid. 

    Next, the lab must accept the image data you then send, converted to that output profile; will they or do they demand something (ugh) like sRGB? 

    Best you might be able to do, and this will only work IF the output is consistent day in and out is make a layer adjustment to address the tad warm output and use that on top of your sRGB or whatever RGB Working Space document to adjust to this bias. But a profile you make? Very unlikely. 

    Author “Color Management for Photographers" & "Photoshop CC Color Management/pluralsight"
      R
      RAB123Author
      Inspiring
      June 21, 2022

      digitaldog - that's right - thanks for clearing it up - maybe another less perfect solution, although still calibrated, is to send them not a x-rite color chart, but a macbeth color chart to print, and then read the grey swatch and apply the color difference to each file - not really sure lol - I dont want to guess at the warmness, it could be magenta, red, or yellow bia or a little of all three. 

      TheDigitalDog
      TheDigitalDog
      Inspiring
      June 22, 2022

      "It isn't an industry standard for print," I was referring to wedding and portrait and labs that well anyone with a commercially available printer, has to use sRGB. The difference in time and equipment to switch from Adobe RGB to sRGB has to increase sales enough to justify the cost. You said yourself the differences cant be seen on a monitor. I understand for publishing and books and magazines it is the standard. That is different everything from wall art and metal prints and albums and framed photos. Those customers are quite happy with sRGB images and with the higher quality 12bit and 14bit cameras and printers the results can be stupendous. Thank you for taking the time to answer my question. The chart and video from your site popped up for a second and then went away without downloading or displaying anything but the Utube link worked. Cheers.


      The difference can't be seen on an sRGB gamut display. It can on a wide gamut display of which there are millions and print. 
      You can stick with sRGB everything which is fine with me but it's suboptimal. 

      Author “Color Management for Photographers" & "Photoshop CC Color Management/pluralsight"
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