Discover the importance of monitor calibration, why the naked eye isn't sufficient, and how hardware calibrators can improve your visual accuracy. Learn about companies like ColorVision and X-Rite that provide calibration solutions, and understand the simple steps involved in calibrating your monitor.
Key Insights
- Calibrating a monitor is essential for accurate color representation, improving the quality of your visual work.
- While calibration can be attempted using just the naked eye and software, this method is often unreliable and can inadvertently worsen the monitor's color accuracy.
- A more effective solution is to use a hardware calibrator, which eliminates guesswork in the calibration process.
- Hardware calibrators are offered by several companies, including ColorVision and X-Rite, with prices typically ranging from $70 to $300.
- Hardware calibrators often include a straightforward workflow: installing the software, plugging in the USB hardware calibrator, and following the on-screen prompts from the installed software.
- For optimal results, it is recommended to calibrate your monitor before starting any visual exercises or projects.
This exercise is excerpted from Noble Desktop’s past Photoshop color managment training materials and is compatible with Photoshop updates through 2018. To learn current skills in Photoshop, check out our Photoshop Bootcamp and graphic design classes in NYC and live online.
Hardware Monitor Calibration
-
Buy or Borrow a Spectrophotometer
ColorVision, X-Rite (formerly Gretag/Macbeth) sell calibrators in the $70–$300 range.
-
Install the Calibrator's Software
Comes with the device — naked-eye + software calibration is unreliable.
-
Plug In the USB Calibrator
Most calibrators connect via USB and sit on the screen during measurement.
-
Run the Software
Follow on-screen prompts; calibrate before doing color-critical work.
Exercise Overview
To calibrate a monitor you can use your naked eye and software, but this method is often unreliable and can make your monitor color worse and less accurate!
The best solution is to use a hardware calibrator. Purchasing or borrowing a spectrophotometer eliminates the guesswork. Companies like ColorVision, X-Rite (formerly Gretag/Macbeth), and others sell calibrators that typically cost around $70–$300.
-
The calibrator will come with instructions, but the general workflow is:
- Install the software.
- Plug in the USB hardware calibrator.
- Run the software that was installed, following the on-screen prompts.
- Enjoy your calibrated monitor.
For best results, calibrate your monitor before doing the exercises in this workbook.
