Calibration darkness

[sugashoc]

I calibrated with xrite pro and my my prints are still darker than my screen. Should I lower my luminance? Right now it is at 90.

[Damien Symonds]

A few questions ...

1. How many prints do you have?
2. Which program are you viewing the files in?
3. Are you sure your room light is bright enough?  Information here.

[sugashoc]

I have 4 prints.

I am using LR and PS to view them and they both look the same. I am using the CC version of both. Yes. My room that I edit in, during the day is very bright. I recalibrated with luminance at 80 and it is still markedly darker. I sent this off to Millerpro for test prints because my album for a client came back really dark.

 

[Damien Symonds]

Are any of them your own photos?

[sugashoc]

These are all taken by me... Sorry if I am misunderstanding the question. I took these photos and the cell phone comparison photos

[Damien Symonds]

Oh, I see.  Millers just add that text to the bottom of your prints, is that it?

Is there a range of photo types?  They're not all dark-background studio photos like this, are they?

[sugashoc]

Yes. They put the text there. They are all dark backgrounds. They were the only ones we were having trouble with so that is why I submitted those for testing. Should I submit other types to see?

[Damien Symonds]

Have you never printed with Millers before?  You have no other prints from them, ever?

[sugashoc]

I have. Never had this issue before but most of my products get shipped directly to the client so this is the first time I am hearing that my album was so dark.

[Damien Symonds]

Ah, crap.

Ok, then yes, you need to get more prints.  You need a variety - bright, dark, indoor, outdoor, people, animals, scenery, whatever.

[sugashoc]

I did get a mini album from them and it turned out great. This was a few weeks ago. But they said it was a different printing process. Have you heard of this before?

[Damien Symonds]

Oh yes, the albums will be different.  But ignore that for now.  All that matters is to establish your calibration perfectly against prints.  Once you have a perfect print match, that's your part of the job done.  Then, if they print an album badly, you have a platform from which to argue for a free reprint.  Do you understand what I mean?  Once you can say "My screen is calibrated with an X-Rite device and is a perfect match for your prints", then you can also say "So you f&*ked up my album, print it again."