Printer calibration helps the printer to replicate a more accurate copy of what is seen on a computer screen. Printer calibration is needed to ensure that the printed image comes out as colorful and vibrant as it was on the monitor.

Without printer calibration, the printed images’ colors could easily come out faded, dull, or incorrect. The monitor that is being used to view the pre-printed image should also be adjusted to ensure the most accurate print-out possible.

The printed colors may be incorrect for several different reasons:

Color Reproduction Method – Since monitors and printers have completely different systems for reproducing colors, there will very likely be a big difference between what is seen on a computer and what is printed. Monitors use RGB color, which is an additive color reproduction type. This means that light is added and color range and brightness are displayed on the monitor this way. Printers use CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Key-Black) pigments, which is a subtractive method of color reproduction (each layer makes the image darker).

Ink Layering/Overlap – When an image is printed, the ink layering causes a shift in color that is not found in pixels that are used to form the image on the screen. This shift is very noticeable and it can be frustrating when ink is wasted on printed pages that are done incorrectly due to the lack of proper calibration.

Color Range – A printer ink color range is much more limited than the colors that a monitor can display. Saturation, contrast, and other factors can make an image look much more dynamic in range than what is possible with the printer. A monitor can display millions of colors, whereas a printer is only capable of producing 4 colors and various blends of those 4 colors.

How to Calibrate Both the Monitor and the Printer

Monitor Calibration

Calibration should really start with the monitor. The monitor can be calibrated with the simple display properties of the OS being used. In Windows OS, “display properties” is the first place to go when calibrating the monitor. Display properties need to be at a reasonable resolution. The minimum should be around 800×600 pixels in order to improve the monitor’s viewing mode. Larger resolutions are often much better when displaying the appropriate colors and options on the screen.

The monitor’s refresh rate also makes a difference. Low refresh rates tire the eyes as they have to endure screen flickering. The optimum refresh rate is above 72Hz.

A monitor’s color quality and range are important. Although there are very minimal modes available such as 8bit/256 colors, the optimal would be at least 24bit and 32bit. Sixteen bit options are available and are an acceptable option, but they may not provide the range of colors that are close to true color.

Once these settings in the display properties have been changed, it is important to print a test photograph or image to see how close the print quality is to the photo on the screen. The best photos to try are those that are taken in daylight of a person with a natural skin tone. Use a high quality paper to print the photo on. Let the ink dry in the shade to reduce the chances of sun exposure damaging the colors.

The monitor needs to be calibrated with one more tweak to the contrast. Most monitors have buttons or dials that make it possible to adjust the values of contrast, hue, and various other image altering qualities. Adjust the contrast to the middle point on the monitor and compare the printed image to the image displayed on the monitor. Fine tuning the monitor’s appearance so that its images look close to the printed image is a very useful process.

Printer Calibration

There are two printer calibration methods that are important for getting a better print job. The two options are known as Visual Calibration and Mechanical Calibration.

Visual Calibration of the Printer

Doing a test print of an image that has many color tones and values is important. Colors that will be printed in the final image should be used. Inspect the test printed image, then use the printer’s available software tools to make any necessary adjustments before sending the image to print.

Mechanical Calibration of the Printer

Some printers can print test images with their advanced tools. These test images are a series of lines and designs that show the best options to choose to calibrate the printer heads for accurate printing. The person who is calibrating the printer through the software should inspect the image and choose the options that are best to mechanically adjust the printer. Once complete, the printer will have improved output.

What is an ICC Profile?

International Color Consortium (ICC) profiles are a type of cross platform color management system that can properly adjust the colors in images/photographs with the optimal color spectrums for viewing/printing. They can be used in image editing software and with some printers directly through the printing GUI. They provide a consistent color between the monitor and the printer. Some color management software options are available in paid and free versions, which makes it possible for users to create and apply ICC profiles.

A free option is the Adobe Color Management Module available at:

Adobe Color Management Module

ICC profiles can be made for specific devices or applied as a general profile for all devices that are connected to the computer to avoid having to apply individual settings for each photo that will be printed.

Calibration using Printer Driver Color Controls

Nearly every printer on the modern market comes with a printer driver that has been developed for the printer or family of printers that consumers will use. The printer driver is a powerful tool that can select specific options for printing that can adjust the printer’s output.

The printer’s advanced settings should allow the user to choose the media type that the print will be done on such as paper or material. The type of ink that is used can also be chosen through this option.

The print quality can be chosen through the advanced settings as well. Some printers allow the user to select the intensity of the half toning that is done with color and black inks.

Some printer drivers come with their own color management properties that can be changed manually to produce a much better print output. Different modes can be chosen to emulate photo-realism and various other profiles for print output.

The brightness, contrast, saturation, amounts of cyan, magenta, and yellow are often options that can be changed in most modern printers’ advanced settings. Even more options may be available with higher quality printers and updates in printer drivers.

Through the advanced options in a printer driver, nozzle checks and a variety of tools can be used to make prints better.