picture book proof copy/test prints
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@xin-li I think you should be fine if they have given you a profile to match.
For my screens I use a Spyder screen calibrator and have day settings and night settings. It's well accurate for sRGB. But I do have my own printer to check and just match it to paper CMYK profiles. Because the type of paper it is printed on makes a difference. Also a good thing to get is the Pantone colour solid coated/uncoated swatch books - this helps to check colour by sight and in different light. You can always note the Pantone colour code you want it printed at. I put this in my layers so I know I'm picking a colour that has a real world matching colour.
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@davidhohn Thank you so much for the advice. I was also very surprised color proofing is not part of their routine. I am glad they still do color proofing on your side of the world.
I actually offered to provide physical color proof (Lee mentioned this in one of his classes), and they declined politely. They said they will do that instead.Since now they are not doing the color proof for me. I will bring that up again and try my best to push for it without being "a problem".
@sigross
I debated if a Spyder screen calibrator is necessary before (they are not cheap). Now I am really considering.- Which version do you use?
- Can it calibrate both Macbook and Cintiq screen?
- Is this a very techy tool, or non-techy-friendly thing?
Your way of using a Pantone color code sounds interesting. But I am not sure if I get it completely. Do you use a physical Pantone color swatch to find the color you want, and find the same Pantone color on screen, use as a reference when picking a CMYK color?
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@xin-li Yes the Spyder I have is the Spyder5Elite. It's easy to use, just plonk it on the screen and it'll run itself (can use on any monitor) just plugs in via USB. I upgraded the software. But I have also looked at upgrading my hardware to the X-Rite i1 Display PRO as I hear it's more accurate. It is quite expensive though (£180). Good investment if you do want colour accurate work printed.
I rent mine out on fatllama for £10 a day so worth a look if you have fatllama rentals in your area. Depending on what country you're in and try one out. I'm sure other companies rent them out too.
I mostly use the pantone book for mixing paints to match my digital drawings for when I paint them or do screen prints - it tells you what colours to mix together to get that colour. But you can tell a printer what colour you want it to match via the pantone code. And yes you can match the colour against the screen version as photoshop has the pantone swatches built in. Although you have to consider screens are back lit.
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@sigross thank you for the tips and advice. I will definitely looking into the rental service. There is one in Oslo, and I have used once to rent a pro camera.
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I communicated with the editor about me providing color proof for the printing house. The production department from the publishing house politely declined again and told me that it does not help with anything in their process, as long as my files have the color profile they providing, everything will just be fine.
I did not want to be seen "a problem", so I dropped the case. I feel like I need to really understand what is their process before I can really come up with my own process that will contribute to making sure the print reproduction is as close to what I see on my screen as possible.
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@xin-li I think that's about the best you can do
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@xin-li okay, take this with a grain of salt but perhaps you could send one more email asking if they could still make the color proofs, explain how your screens may be calibrated differently, etc. but be polite and mention that if they really can’t, it’s alright with you. I know this might come off as you pushing it but it’s your reputation on the line. If things go awry at least you know that you didn’t sit idly by. Anyway, asking one more time won’t hurt your relationship just do it nicely.
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@Braden-Hallett thank you for the support.
@Nyrryl-Cadiz thank you so much for weigh-in. I think I have to let this one drop for now. I sensed it is a dead-end, and I also sensed that they are a bit stressed out due to the holiday session and things are behind schedule on their side. I will take this up again for future books with them. Apart from the color proofing issue, most of our communication has been smooth - which I consider a remarkable thing, given that we are complete strangers who has never meet each other before.
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@xin-li the most remarkable aspect of this project is that you met their deadline with such grace!
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@BichonBistro thank you. I am sending in the book cover on Monday - a bit of detail left on the cover. Then I am done with the book. I will go for a walk in the forest to celebrate :-).
