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My primary concern with non-Apple monitors is that they tend to be too contrasty. A high contrast screen looks good for computer use, but it'll give you a false idea of how the image will reproduce in print, which is critical in graphic design. I tried to edit photos on my consumer-level laptop once and when I opened the files later on my desktop, I found that I had completely washed them out.

If I didn't get an Apple monitor, I'd make sure what I got was labeled for graphics use. I don't trust the monitors you can get at Office Depot.

dvpierce wrote:

I just run myself a sample and ignore what I see on the screen.

BINGO!

I will agree though that LCD's print darker. Which is why I ignore it and do the same thing as dvpierce.

Pick something that's not going to give you a headache as you will be in front of it for a long time.

What's "too contrasty?"

Bat wrote:

What's "too contrasty?"

Look at the video game, then open a window and look outside. See how everything outside is brighter and washed-out-looking?

You so funny, dv!

They pretty much run the photos the way I send them except for some occasional cropping. Perhaps that just means I'm doing a really good job of it?

(I shoot RAW format, so I can't send them that. I have to resample the photos down to a 6 meg jpg. That process invariably involves setting the contrast, levels and color cast of the photo.)

user wrote:

My primary concern with non-Apple monitors is that they tend to be too contrasty. A high contrast screen looks good for computer use, but it'll give you a false idea of how the image will reproduce in print, which is critical in graphic design. I tried to edit photos on my consumer-level laptop once and when I opened the files later on my desktop, I found that I had completely washed them out.

If I didn't get an Apple monitor, I'd make sure what I got was labeled for graphics use. I don't trust the monitors you can get at Office Depot.

That is a good point,

Mine is the LG L227WTG 22".  I think though if you properly calibrate your display you shouldn't have an issue. And don't some displays com with their own colorsync profile that works in OSX and with Adobe?

I create web content, and process allot graphics for print. And I’ve never had an issue as long I use the appropriate calibration for the display and location/lighting I’m in. I've used allot of CRT's and LCD's.

I guess I’m in the habit of calibrating because I often have multiple display setups and I want all the displays show the same thing. And print as I see on any display with any print process.

nayrk wrote:

Thanks so much everyone for your responses.

I've ran across a Samsung Touch of Color monitor

Samsung 22" TOC Widescreen LCD Monitor Rose-Black T220

While I really love Samsung products... not to mention the price, I imagine that from User's comments though that this is screen would give me that overly contrast-y look.

Would something like Spider2 or help with that issue?


Ice Cream Man, that does look like a rather nice screen also. Do you use preset calibration, if not what do you use?

Yes, a Spider will help. I believe that once you set up your gray-balance and calibration the Spider will actually monitor the lighting in the room and adjust on the fly.

I personally use an Eye1 photo spectrometer.

Ice Cream Man wrote:

nayrk wrote:

Thanks so much everyone for your responses.

I've ran across a Samsung Touch of Color monitor

Samsung 22" TOC Widescreen LCD Monitor Rose-Black T220

While I really love Samsung products... not to mention the price, I imagine that from User's comments though that this is screen would give me that overly contrast-y look.

Would something like Spider2 or help with that issue?


Ice Cream Man, that does look like a rather nice screen also. Do you use preset calibration, if not what do you use?

Well there is a calibration tool that came with it. However, there is also a calibration tool built into OSX. It is in system preferences. Here is a site that shows you how. http://www.computer-darkroom.com/colors … sync_1.htm there are also other tools for calibrating but I just use the OSX tool.

I was going to buy the Samsung 19 inch, but this one was bigger, at the same price at Fry’s, the timing, and contrast are good. Just be sure to calibrate.

The built-in monitor profiler is a good start but still involves you making subjective choices.

When you're done, print a few patches of gray. Make sure they are CMYK builds and not just black. You will see immediately which "direction" you need to go.