ColorVision Spyder2PRO and PrintFIX PLUSPart II : PrintFIX PLUS PrintFIX PLUS is a part of the Spyder2PRO package as well as the Spyder2 Suite package. My testing goal was to see if I could, in general, lighten a little my overall prints produced by my Epson R2400 printer. I use Photoshop CS3, formerly used CS2, and I use the profiles that come with the printer for my printing. While I was satisfied with the profiles, there were times when I felt that the prints were a little too dark. PrintFIX PLUS works by using a basic profile provided by ColorVision. ColorVision stated that there were more profiles available on there web site than were contained in the software; however, I could not find them. For my Epson R2400 there were two profiles available: one for matte type paper and one for glossy type paper. These were to be used as generic profiles with all types of Epson paper. I tested the Matte-Art profile with Epson Enhanced Matte and the Gloss-Lustre profile with Epson Premium Lustre. Once you choose a profile, you adjust the following controls and keep making proofs from these controls.
Both these two screens are actually one large screen.
The proofs are not cumulative, so it is a good idea each time you make a proof to keep track of the settings. You choose from Custom, Color, or Black and White. You have the choice of printing in quadrants to save paper or full screen. If you are using letter size paper, full screen is necessary. It is important to note that on PreciseLight Color Temperature, Warm and Cool are reversed. "Warm" should read "Cool" and "Cool" should read "Warm." It does make a difference.
During the process, you can choose your rendering intent:
For my Epson Matte Enhanced, I found that a setting of Saturation -5 and Brightness +5 gave me the desired change. I tested it on my calibration test sheet, and I was satisfied. Even though the instructions suggest that you use intervals of 10, I found that intervals of 5 gave me more control. For my Epson Premium Lustre paper I, also, found those were good settings. I discovered that this program had a lot of other good uses. I had created an image in Vue 6 Infinite and Photoshop CS3 that printed correctly according to its traditional Epson profile, but I wanted it a little cooler, lighter, and bluer. I created just the profile I wanted in PrintFIX PLUS. I, also, discovered that if you learn how to read the Match Print Color feature in Photoshop CS3, you can create profiles basically on the fly . I say "learn how to read this feature" because the tonal changes are very exaggerated. When printed, both images printed flatter in color. But the image with the new profile created in PrintFIX PLUS, the one on the right, definitely was not as strong a blue as the preview made it look.
In summation, I was able to take the base profile in PrintFIX PLUS and change it slightly to create slightly lighter prints on the two papers I tested. Now, instead of having to change an image if I want to change the tonality, for example, of a print, I can easily create a new profile. For a list of PrintFIX PLUS supported printers click here. Requirements for Spyder2Pro are:
The cost for the Spyder2PRO which includes PrintFIX PLUS is $249. But you can get it for less at retailers such as Adorama.com and Amazon.com among others. The cost for the Spyder2 Suite is $169.00 and it also includes PrintFIX PLUS. For information on ColorVision products, go to their web site.
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