There are a number of monitor calibration tools available. At present
two companies, Datacolor and XRite, are your choice for enthusiast up to professional need solutions.
A monitor calibration device includes hardware and software. The hardware is a sprectocolorimiter that measures your monitor and records color values, brightness, contrast, and other variables. The software then takes the hardware data
and builds a color profile specific to your monitor. A profile can be thought of as a color decoder - it informs your computer how your monitor works by default and provides the numbers to correct color values so that they display accurately. The profile does not contain brightness and contrast values for your monitor. Instead, you will set brightness, contrast, and white point using your monitor controls during the calibration process. The calibration software guides you through these steps with the hardware taking measurements to verify that the variables are set accurately for image display and editing.
Printing Your Calibrated Images
Red River Paper offers you a full line of professional quality photo and art papers. You have access to over 30 different papers in up to 14 sizes. They work for your printer and help make your images look their very best when printed. Our papers are sourced from the best paper mills
on Earth - often the same sources as the big brands like Epson, Canon, Ilford, Canson, and Hahnemuhle. The difference is that Red River Paper gives you superior selection, support, shipping, and service.
Enthusiast Level Products - Excellent Quality at a Lower Price
Datacolor Spyder X Pro - Designed for Hobbyist Photographers
For serious photographers and designers who want a fast, precise and easy-to-use monitor calibrator that helps achieve their creative vision. Includes Spyder X Sensor, Welcome Card with links to download software, user guides, video demonstrations, warranty information and support.
Shop for the Datacolor Spyder X Pro
i1 Display Studio
For creative perfectionists seeking simplicity, i1Display Studio delivers incredibly consistent color with zero stress so you can focus on doing what you love.
Calibrating your displays allows you to spend more time focusing on your creativity and edit and share your work with confidence. It is one of the most important steps to ensure your images remain color consistent across various displays and printers. i1Display Studio includes an i1 colorimeter and i1Studio software, everything you need to calibrate and profile your monitors and laptops. It can match up to four separate displays for color accuracy to ensure the color you see on your display is the color you can expect from your printer. The wizard-driven interface walks you through the entire process and then reminds you when it is time to re-profile to maintain consistency.
Shop for the i1 Display Studio
Pro Level Products - Excellent Quality at Pro Prices
Datacolor Spyder X Elite - Designed for Serious Photographers and Designers
For Expert and professional photographers and motion image makers looking for the most comprehensive monitor calibration tool for maximum control of their color workflow. Includes Spyder X Sensor, Welcome Card with links to download software, user guides, video demonstrations, warranty information and support.
Shop for the Datacolor Spyder X Elite
X-Rite i1 Display Pro
Are you looking for the highest level of on-screen color accuracy for all of your screens, including projectors? Then the i1Display Pro is the solution for you! It’s two user modes, Basic and Advanced, provide serious Color Perfectionists with the perfect combination of unrivaled color precision, speed, options and controls to fit any workflow. You’ll no longer risk spending hours at your monitor perfecting images or video only to find that the display was not accurately representing the digital files. Properly profiling and calibrating your displays ensures reduced editing time and a more realistic no-surprises representation of final output.
Shop for the X-Rite i1 Display Pro
Article updated 5/21
