p.1 #1 · how do you do DIY print profiling (beyond trial and error)?
Are there any guides on how to DIY print profile, like appropriate steps based on some test charts-- formulas and such maybe ? I'm a poor college student willing to spare some ink and paper but I can't afford profiling software or any custom services.
p.1 #2 · how do you do DIY print profiling (beyond trial and error)?
It's not expensive to get profiles done in the UK
In the uk I use permajet which produce profiles for free if you are using their paper .. But if you aren't then the cost is only £6 per profile .. I can't imagine ( but probably wrong) that the US is more expensive. You just need to check out the paper suppliers and see which offer the service.
The cheapest option is to find a camera club and ask for help.. There are always technical people in the membership . If you start a Facebook photography site and start making photography 'friends' you will also increase your network and find people there with loads of expertise and expensive kit, who are happy to share. just. Make sure you make friends with local photographers, thats why a camera ub is a better option . Might be worth joining as you get access to a lot of resources from people who are wiing to help.. Well thats my experience of british clubs
If you are a student then maybe the art department has a scanner
p.1 #3 · how do you do DIY print profiling (beyond trial and error)?
Buy an older Xrite i1.
They just released version II last year. Version I will perform fine.
There are also older spectrophotometers that will work with Xrite softwarte. As well as 3rd party and (maybe) open source profuiling software that will work with the i1.
Basically, you really need a device for color work. Well worth it though fo me.
I will be off-line mostly for 1 week, but I can post after I get back about loading new ink sets in a "Print Engine" - printer - and making custo profile from scratch.
As well as mixing my own, custom B&W glossy neutral inks, based on the work of Paul Roark - who gets all of the credit!
p.1 #4 · how do you do DIY print profiling (beyond trial and error)?
JaneG wrote:
It's not expensive to get profiles done in the UK .. I can't imagine ( but probably wrong) that the US is more expensive. Jane
I haven't found a good profile service in the US for less than $20 per paper. Eric Chan, for example, was charging $30 just before he stopped providing the service.
p.1 #5 · how do you do DIY print profiling (beyond trial and error)?
Ditto the camera club advice. A quick google got about 9 million hits for "camera clubs VA". You can learn a lot more than just printing profiles. My photography skills really started improving when I joined a local club. That one club opened me up to several others in the area.
p.1 #6 · how do you do DIY print profiling (beyond trial and error)?
I've known exactly one person who spent the time to measure 4800 patch targets he designed and create his own lookup tables for his scanner and LVT. A daunting process even if you know what you're doing, and probably a fool's errand if you don't. Why try and re-invent the wheel when you're already surrounded by them.
I would look up Argyll open sourced color management software that you can use for free. It's got good reviews. Save for a good used spectrophotometer and you'll be good to go.
