Images on screen often look different from the same image in print. Calibrating your monitor provides a screen display that simulates what you would see on paper. Although the image you see right now may be pleasing (or displeasing), your monitor will almost certainly not allow your to see how the original design actually appears. And although this might not seem like an influence over the degree of your appreciation of visual content, it most certainly is.

Firstly, A Little Background

The simplest calibration methods involve adjustments to the Contrast and Brightness, and, the color settings of your monitor. Setting your brightness and contrast to 100% will distort the image's light and dark areas-- sometimes severely. Each model of monitor can vary widely.

An intermediate method uses special software to calibrate your monitor as well as calibrate your printer, scanner, and other devices so that what you see on-screen, what you scan, and what you print all look the same-- as much as is possible. For high-end use, even more precise hardware-based calibration methods exist.

For basic Web viewing and non-critical printing, the simple calibration methods described below may be sufficient. However, serious design work and accurate color-matching calls for hardware calibration methods. Monitor calibration is simply one part of a complete Color Management System (CMS) for publishing.

How to Get Started - Simple Calibration

Make sure your monitor is in 24-bit or high-color mode. Use your normal room lighting but avoid reflections or glare from lights or windows. Locate the Contrast and Brightness controls for your monitor. These may be buttons right on the front of the monitor or you may have to pull up an on-screen menu to make these adjustments.

Secondly, visit one or more of the following web sites and follow their instructions:

• Adobe Gamma (opens in new window)

• QuickGamma (opens in new window)

• Norman Koren's highly technical method (opens in new window)

• Professional level (hardware-based) calibration (opens in new window)