Get Started with JD Econo Printing

If you want to take advantage of Econo printing prices, it is important to send JD Photo Imaging a test job before you start to send paid work to the lab. Test jobs are free, and they insure that you won’t be disappointed with your first Econo print order.

To make a good first test image, follow the steps below. These steps assume you are shooting in a studio setting; once you are confident of the prints you get back from the lab, you can move this process outside the studio.

1. Creating a clean workflow - Make sure your input matches output end to end. For example, the camera (srgb) colorspace, the Lightroom or Photoshop colorspace, and your monitor and printer colorspace should all match.
2. Correct color settings for Photoshop
3. Use a monitor calibration tool - The most popular are the Colorvision Spyder, Gretag’s Eye One or LaCie’s Blue Eye Pro Make sure your initial settings: 6500K @ 2.2 gamma
4. Submit 5 images that are a good representation of your work to the lab. In the special instructions, specify “Images for Monitor Calibration.” Our lab will then print thse images as 8x10" prints FREE with NO COLOR CORRECTION.
5. When you receive these 5 8x10’s back from the lab, they should appear to be very much like the images on your monitor. If you feel they need to match closer, adjust your monitor (using OSD controls or graphic card controls) to match the sample prints. Remember, that viewing conditions can greatly affect the appearance of the print vs. the monitor.
6. Ideal Viewing Conditions You should "soft proof" in a dimly lit room with no direct sunlight, and eliminate as much glare as possible. Note that modern flat screen monitors are very bright so you should set brightness to 0 at start of calibration procedure. Also note that on flat screens the viewing angle is critical, so always view images from the same angle.