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View Full Version : Monitors? Calibration?

AmyM
10-08-2008, 11:17 AM
My computer is 5+ yrs old and my pictures are looking way different printed than they do on my screen. Which probably makes half my scrapbook pages look like crap to the rest of the world LOL
How do I calibrate my monitor and have you ever done it? Is it expensive, a program you buy ,etc.....?
ditzyscrap
10-08-2008, 11:21 AM
You can buy a program/tool to do it, it's called a Spyder, I think? I have never calibrated my screen, but the colors on my screen are the same as print (even if I print from another computer), so I've never really worried about it.
DawnMarch
10-08-2008, 01:15 PM
You buy a little gizmo that reads the colors on your screen and sets them to a standard calibration setting. I have one by Gretag McBeth, but there are a bunch of them including the Spyder.
Tracie Stroud
10-08-2008, 01:52 PM
If you have Photoshop, it probably came with a monitor calibration software. That's the only one I've used.
AmyM
10-08-2008, 04:35 PM
I have PSPxi but I don't think it came with anything like that. Not that I would have known what in the world it was or how to use it :D Perhaps if I ask the govt. they will bail me out and send me a free program if I stomp my foot and say I'm entitled to it. It's all the rage, I might as well jump on the wagon too. :D
kscwgirl
10-08-2008, 04:38 PM
LOL Amy!!!
Mandy
10-08-2008, 04:41 PM
LMAO!
EvaK
10-08-2008, 07:23 PM
I have the Spyder 2. I bought it to calibrate my laptop monitor because the colors were obviously off. I bought it at amazon.com and I am very happy with it. Image below is linked to amazon. I found it to be cheaper than ebay since I get free 2day shipping at amazon (I am a prime member).

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/515FNK0KADL._SL500_AA280_.jpg (http://www.amazon.com/ColorVision-Spyder2-Express-Win-Mac/dp/B000ES4PYU/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1223508095&sr=8-1)
HeatherStokes
10-08-2008, 07:30 PM
Is the Spyder something you will only need once?
EvaK
10-08-2008, 07:57 PM
Is the Spyder something you will only need once?

Monitor calibration needs to be done on a regular basis. The Spyder 2 is quick and fast. It takes about 5 minutes and you are done. But you should run the calibrator more than just once. I usually do it about once a month to make sure it is optimized. But then again I am a designer and I need to KNOW that my colors are right.

It is a program with a special device that you can use on any computer you have. You can use it an unlimited amount of times.
:) Eva
AmyM
10-08-2008, 08:01 PM
That sounds great, thank you girls!