IamCalibrated FAQs
1. How do I get started?
All you have to do to get started with iamcalibrated.com is click here and submit your studio information and tax id number. Once we have received your information we will set you up as an iamcalibrated.com customer and you can download our iamcalibrated ROES software. We require your tax id number to protect your industry from non-professional photographers.
2. Are you Mac/PC compatible?
Absolutely!
3. Can I send in test prints?
We prefer that you send in test prints! As we are not correcting your images, it is essential that you run a color test to see where your studio managed color compares to the iamcalibrated.com printers. Once you have received your studio codes and have installed the iamcalibrated.com ROES software you can go under the default luster prints catalog and order 5 of the test prints. These prints will be printed with no corrections. There is no charge for the test prints. However, there is a $2.50 charge to have the prints shipped to your studio.
4. What is your turn around time?
Orders with straight prints are in lab for 24-48 hours. Finishing will add additional time.
5. How do you ship?
We ship UPS Ground by default, however you can choose 2nd Day or a Next Day option.
6. Do you have a complete price list of services for iamcalibrated?
A complete listing of services is available if you click here. However, this price list is password protected. You will receive the password after setting up your account. This password protects your pricing from your customers.
7. Is there a minimum order?
Yes, there is a $10 minimum order.
8. How do I become calibrated?
To be calibrated, you must set up a color managed workflow. Color management involves several steps to be effective. The first step is calibrating your monitor. If you have ever looked at a wall of TVs in an electronics store, you will notice that each set looks a little different. The same is true of computer monitors. Calibrating brings your monitor to a standard where your monitor (and images) look the same in your studio as they do at our lab. The second step is to properly set up your color management polices in Adobe Photoshop or whatever image editing program you choose. The color space for images uploaded to iamcalibrated.com is SRGB.
9. How do I calibrate my monitor?
You must use a hardware/software combo. CCI calibrates with the X-rite eye one display 2 and our production staff corrects on Eizo CE210W Monitors. When calibrating we recommend a TRC (gamma_ setting if 2.2 and a white point of D65 (6500 degrees). Before calibrating, be sure that you monitor has warmed up for 1 hour (especially for CRTs). Always calibrate with the ambient room light set as it would be when you are correcting images.
10. Do I really need to invest in this equipment. Can’t I just get someone to come to my studio with their stuff and calibrate for me?
Monitor Calibration is not a one-time event. Ideally you will recalibrate weekly, or at least monthly. Monitors change (drift) over time and you must maintain calibration.
11. How do I change my color settings in Adobe Photoshop?
Choose edit/color settings to open the color setting dialog box. Change the RGB working space to “srgb IEC61966-2.1.” Then change the RGB color management policies to “convert to working rgb” Then click OK. If you are shooting RAW, you will also want to set your processing preferences color space to SRGB.
12. What type of files should I send?
Your files should be 8 bit RGB jpgs with a color profile of SRGB. Files should not contain any additional channels or paths.
13. Why don’t my prints look like my monitor?
If you are properly calibrated, your prints will look similar to your monitor. This is why having physical prints from imcalibrated.com is so important. In most case your monitor will need a final adjustment to truly match your final prints.
You must consider the light source under which you are viewing the actual prints. If you take a print and walk from room to room in your studio or home, you will see the print change colors under different light sources. Fluorescents will make them appear green, incandescent lights will make them appear yellow. Always check your final prints under either daylight or daylight corrected bulbs.