At DreambooksPro, we want the printed result to correspond faithfully to your artistic vision. To align what you see on screen with the reality of printing in our lab, we have gathered 3 essential steps that align your workflow with our technology.
1. Software Configuration
Color management starts before editing. To avoid tonal shifts, we advise you to configure your Adobe Photoshop or Lightroom to work natively in the sRGB IEC61966-2.1 profile.
If you take this step, please consider the settings marked in the image to correctly perform the final export. Any editing software (Lightroom, Capture One, etc.) should be based on these settings:
- Format: JPG
- Resolution: 300 DPI
- Quality: 12 (Maximum)
- Color Profile: sRGB (both in viewing and export)
2. Monitor Calibration
To ensure maximum precision, there are two possible paths: hardware calibration (most recommended) and visual adjustment.
Option A:
Professional Calibration (Recommended)
Using a colorimeter is the most precise correction, as it analytically guarantees that the screen colors are correct. To do this, purchase a colorimeter, install the device software, and place the sensor in the center of the screen. Here are the base values we advise for calibration:
- Gamma: 2.2
- White Point: 6500k
- Brightness: 120cd/m2
Note: After this configuration, run the calibration and save the ICC profile.
It is important to save the original values before making any changes.
Option B:
Visual Adjustment (Alternative)
If you do not own a calibrator, here is a simpler suggestion (though less precise) to make manual adjustments:
- Download the "Color Proof Test" file from our Downloads Area.
- With the file open, adjust the Monitor's Contrast and Brightness so that you can smoothly distinguish all transitions in the grayscale (from white to black).
- In the monitor's own settings, select the sRGB color mode (if available).
The Real Test (The Final Proof)
Regardless of the method chosen, nothing replaces the physical proof. We strongly advise you to perform a print test using our "Print Tests" product (available in the editor). Select the papers you usually work with to understand exactly how the digital image translates to real paper.
3. Choosing the Right Monitor
The monitor is your window to the final work. If you are looking for reliable equipment, ensure it meets these essential characteristics:
- IPS Panel (In-plane switching): Ensures color fidelity and contrast, regardless of the viewing angle.
- Color Coverage: The monitor should cover at least 99% of the sRGB color space.
- Contrast: The ideal ratio for editing is 1000:1.
- Resolution: We recommend Full HD (1920×1080) or higher to ensure sharpness in the interface.
Equipment Suggestions:
To help you choose, we have selected 6 monitors that meet these requirements, divided by ranges:
Professional Range:
EIZO ColorEdge CS2740 BenQ SW270C
(Industry benchmark for uniformity Excellent price/quality ratio for photographers, and hardware calibration). with 99% AdobeRGB / 100% sRGB coverage)
Intermediate Range:
ASUS ProArt PA278QV Dell UltraSharp U2723QE
(Factory pre-calibrated with excellent (IPS Black technology offering better color accuracy Delta E < 2) contrasts and deeper blacks).
Entry Range
BenQ PD2700Q LG 27UP850-W
(Designed for designers/photographers, (Good 4K resolution and color fidelity for those with Pantone validation). starting in professional editing).