X-Rite ColorMunki Photo 101

Ron Martinsen
http://ronmartblog.com
 Quick Poll
• Mac Users?
• PC Users?
– XP?
– Windows 7?
– Other?
 Who the heck is Ron Martinsen?
• Author of ronmartblog.com
• Sponsored by X-Rite, Canon, Nik Software, etc… and supported by Epson
& many others
• Guest blogger for B&H & Rick Sammon (in-progress)
• Featured on Scott Kelby & X-Rite’s blog
• Teaching this summer with Bryan Peterson
• Printing series worked closely with Canon, Epson and top master printers
and printing companies in the US
• Just like you too…
• Much more to come…
Seeing Color

• Colors values are absolute but the

rendering of those colors varies
drastically depending on the
output target
• Pink is a great example and reds
are the hardest
• Wide gamut displays and
backlighting complicate matters
even more
• Test at
http://www.xritephoto.com/ph_to
olframe.aspx?action=coloriq
Color Illusions

A & B are different colors, right?

Image from
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Same_color_illusion
Color Illusions

WRONG!

They are the same!

Our minds can play games with us

based on how we expect things to be.

Image from
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Same_color_illusion
 Types of ColorMunki
• Create & Design – Not for Photographers

• Photo – The black one

 Setting up your environment
• Avoid light directly on your
monitor
– Consider a monitor hood

• No windows or heavy blinds

• Some ambient light is good
 Calibrating your display
• Let your display warm up for 30 minutes prior to
calibration
• Only takes about 10 – 15 minutes to calibrate your display
• Once a month is fine unless you notice problems or are
doing a high-end job
– Some people calibrate before each editing session, but I don’t
– Frequent calibration useful for drastic ambient lighting
conditions
Getting started

• It doesn’t matter if you do the

display and printer at the same
time

• This example will use the first

button
Verify Display Type
• Choose your display type

• Most can choose Easy

• Advanced is handy for those who

want to
• Measure the ambient light

• Tweak the luminance level or

target white point values

• When in doubt, accept the

defaults

http://www.xritephoto.com/documents/literature/en/MonitorSetColorMunkiCalNTK_EN.pdf
Switch to Calibrate
Switch back to Measure
Ready to Continue
Place on Display
Create ICC Profile File
 Begin Printer Profiling
• Create first time, and
Optimize to do additional
passes to refine the profile

• Use the printer and name the

paper you are profiling
(important)
 Print Test Chart
• You must turn color
management off in your
printer driver and ALWAYS
use those settings when
profiling or using your profile
• Save as a preset
• http://www.xritephoto.com/p
h_learning.aspx?action=brows
e&parent=3&topic=8#article
is a good resource
 st
Measure 1 Chart
 nd
Print 2 Test Chart
• This is where the magic happens
• You must use the same printer
settings as the 1st test chart!
 nd
Measure 2 Test Chart
 Save Printer ICC Profile
• I like to include the profiling
device and date in the profile
name
Profiles Location (Mac)
Profiles Location (Mac)
Profiles Location (Mac)
Profiles Location (Mac)
Profiles Location (Mac)
Profiles Location (Mac)
Monitor Profiles (Mac)
 Profiles Location (PC)

• C:\Windows\System32\spool\drivers\color

• Can right click and choose install (first time

only) or drop in folder
Color Management Control Panel (Windows 7)
 Examining your Profile
• Chromix ColorThink Pro
• http://www.ronmartblog.com/2010
/11/printing-series-chromix-
colorthink-pro.html
• Shouldn’t have chunks missing
• Can compare profiles against each
other
• Demo (time permitting)
• Discount on ronmartblog.com
 Using your paper profile

• Photoshop Demo

• Lightroom Demo
Photoshop (CS5 Mac)

Image from my HDR Workshop DVD by Trey

Ratcliff of StuckInCustoms.com article
Photoshop (Epson 3880 Driver)
Lightroom 3.3 (Mac)

Image from my HDR Workshop DVD by Trey Ratcliff of

StuckInCustoms.com article
Lightroom 3.3 (Mac)
Lightroom 3.3 (Mac)
 More Information
• http://www.ronmartblog.com
• http://www.xritephoto.com

• http://www.ronmartblog.com/201
0/08/review-perfect-print-dvd-
series-by.html (MUST OWN)
 Good & Bad Profile Examples
• Canon MP560 Example from Article

• LexJet 3800, ColorMunki, i1XTreme, & Colorbyte

ImagePrint on Epson 3880 examples

• Canon iPF6300 Examples

 10 Top Print Masters on Profiles
• Randy Hufford
• Tyler Stableford
• Eddie Tapp
• Michel Tcherevkoff
• Bambi Cantrell
http://www.ronmartblog.com/p/printing-
• John Paul Caponigro series-articles.html
• Douglas Dubler
• Greg Gorman
• R. Mac Holbert
• Vincent Versace
 Q&A
• Multi-Mon & NEC PA Series

• ColorMunki vs i1 Series Solutions

• DIY Profiles vs RIP’s & Profile Services

 Visit ronmartblog.com
• Discounts on:
Photoshop Add-ins by Nik Software, Topaz,
Photomatix, onOne Software & More
Exclusive discounts on ColorByte ImagePrint,
Chromix ColorThink Pro
Gear (i.e., ThinkTankPhoto, RayFlash, ioSafe, & more)
Services (Chromix ColorValet, Smugmug, Mozy &
more)