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Light Currents · 05-06-2008

I battled with dark printing on an epson for a long time and when I finally found out what the problem was, I was astounded that the solution was so simple.

Monitor luminance.

First, your monitor should be calibrated for color. Period. Can't afford one? Borrow one... but calibrate! (and get a good hardware calibrator)

Second, when calibrating, note the luminance level. I have read help tutorials that say the luminance level should be anywhere between 90 and 120. I have found that 95-105 works for me. The prints that I now get off the epson are so accurate and close to the monitor display they're almost shocking.

Most monitors, out of the box, will have luminance levels way too high. Even as much as 200 or more. The effects are simple: if your monitor is too bright, your prints will be too dark; if it's too dark, the prints will be too light.

And yes, when you first put your luminance level down where it should be, it will appear dark. But your prints will be great.

Hope that helped.

05-06-2008	#9 (permalink)
Light Currents Vicuna Location: U.S.A. Posts: 111 CamelKarma: 13 Editing OK?: Yes Gallery \| Blog	Re: Dark Printing Epson R1800 I battled with dark printing on an epson for a long time and when I finally found out what the problem was, I was astounded that the solution was so simple. Monitor luminance. First, your monitor should be calibrated for color. Period. Can't afford one? Borrow one... but calibrate! (and get a good hardware calibrator) Second, when calibrating, note the luminance level. I have read help tutorials that say the luminance level should be anywhere between 90 and 120. I have found that 95-105 works for me. The prints that I now get off the epson are so accurate and close to the monitor display they're almost shocking. Most monitors, out of the box, will have luminance levels way too high. Even as much as 200 or more. The effects are simple: if your monitor is too bright, your prints will be too dark; if it's too dark, the prints will be too light. And yes, when you first put your luminance level down where it should be, it will appear dark. But your prints will be great. Hope that helped.