Datacolor Spyder3Print SR

Comments about Datacolor Spyder3Print SR:

Found the Spyder3Print saved me money in ink and paper, as well as time and frustration in getting accurate color reproductions on my prints. It is easy to use and fast to calibrate with very little room for error with the step by step wizards and template.

Comments about Datacolor Spyder3Print SR:

- I only use OEM inks on my Epson 3880 but use aftermarket on the old R800.
- The aftermarket inks have poor colour consistency on different media types and with this product I can create custom profiles and the results are brilliant.
- Can be a little fiddly to get used to first time, and need to check that you have scanned the colours correctly.
- I have a Spyder Colorimeter, however it is not required to use this but highly recommended. If I didn't already have the colorimeter I would have gone for the Studio package.
- Overall very happy with the results and the quality of the product.

Comments about Datacolor Spyder3Print SR:

I have been using a Spyder 3 Pro monitor calibrator for several years now and it has always performed very well. However, and despite spending a lot of time with color settings via Windows, Photoshop, and so on, I have had mixed results getting my prints to match what I saw in real life or on my monitor. I have also spent a great deal of time ensuring that the color gamut of my photos has matched the printer's, but I have still not been impressed at the final product in many cases.

After some deep thoughts (and reading many reviews), I decided to purchase the Spyder3Print SR in the hopes that it would help me to produce consistent output. Which it has, thankfully! Without writing a novel, I will summarize:

Pros
-Easy and quick workflow
-Easy to correct mistakes if a bad reading is taken
-Easy to employ the color profiles within Photoshop and Lightroom (and presumably others, given that the software creates an .icm file)
-Good instructions / tutorials
-Once profiled, the printer output matches the display almost perfectly (assuming your display is calibrated)
-Good set of available color targets from simple to complex, based on how detailed you want your calibration to be

Cons
-A bit of practise is required to get an even pace reading the target patches
-On some types of paper, the patch reader doesn't slide smoothly and may require repeating some readings.

Currently, I shoot (mostly) with a Canon 5d Mk II and print to a Canon Pro9500 Mk II. I have several monitors, but I always print from my Wacom Cintiq 21ux which calibrates very nicely.

Comments about Datacolor Spyder3Print SR:

I have owned an Epson 1440 large format photo printer for about two years. It always seemed to print too dark, and I could never get the print to match what I was seeing on the screen. I had tried calibrating the monitor. But still no luck. I was about ready to give up and donate the printer to [...] when I decided to buy the Spyder3Print. I messed up eight sheets of photo paper. Then I watched the how-to video on the Datacolor Web site. Two more sheets of paper to calibrate the printer, and suddenly I had the printer I always wanted. I've been making beautiful prints ever since.

Comments about Datacolor Spyder3Print SR:

For almost two years I have been getting disappointing prints from my Epson 1400. I tried calibrating my monitor. I downloaded icc profiles. I was about ready to sell the printer, but I thought I'd give it once last try.

I burned up eight sheets of photo paper learning how to use the Spyder3Print. But then I got the first good print ever out of the printer, not too dark, not too green, etc.

There may be better systems than this, but what I can say is I'm totally happy with it after a day of use. I've probably dropped $200 on ink for bad prints since I got the printer. Hopefully, any future prints I'm unhappy with will be because of my own photography or processing errors.

Comments about Datacolor Spyder3Print SR:

I suspect that I like most considering the Spyder3Print also researched the Colormunki.
Since I already have an i1d2 that does a splendid job of calibrating my monitor, I was after quality printer calibration for my 3880. The versitility of the software, and the flexability of target selection combined with a great price point sealed the deal.
I could not be happier with the profiles I have achieved so far. A difficult fine art paper that I was not impressed with using the canned profile is now splendid, and the soft proof is accurate as well.
Thank you Datacolor for the wonderful product.

Comments about Datacolor Spyder3Print SR:

After using other profiling solutions for years, I splashed out and purchased the Spyder3Print after being impressed with the Syder3Elite that I purchased recently.
I'm totally impressed with the ease of use and accuracy of the Spyder3Print for making print profiles.

Comments about Datacolor Spyder3Print SR:

I bought this to replace an older model.
Easier to use without the plastic guide.
Vastly superior than the older model 1005.
Strip reading seems accurate and quick.

Comments about Datacolor Spyder3Print SR:

I am creating greeting cards for my sister from silk art that she has done and I am now finally able to get the colors that have been wrong so far. Also my christmas cards which include some really far flung colors are working out too. I love it that I can use a 700+ target sheet to get the max out of the Epson Artisan 810 printer.

Comments about Datacolor Spyder3Print SR:

I have the Spyder II print system and this one is so much faster. There are some minor software changes. The profiles work quite well.

Comments about Datacolor Spyder3Print SR:

I've been selling prints now for a couple of years and acquired an Epson Pro 3880 a year ago. I wanted to ensure my black / whites truly reflected what I see on screen when it comes to the various tones. I'm very happy with the results, and have noticed an improvement even on Epson paper. I have produced perfect results on Canson paper and am now confident to try other 3rd party papers.

Comments about Datacolor Spyder3Print SR:

Both my Canon iP4700 and Pro9000II drivers pushed unreal saturation for the average consumers, but my artist daughters and myself could not stand looking at these errors! I used the recommended EZ Target 225 plates after choosing between 4 different glossy paper settings. I set Costco's Kirkland Pro Glossy Photo at Glossy Photo High/Auto and Ilford Gallerie Pearl at Photo Paper Pro Semi-Gloss. I'll re-proof these paper setting later, but for now I'm happy with the same image colors from my Canon40D's AdobeRGB through Photoshop CS2. My laptop and desktop monitors were recently calibrated with Spyder2 Express. Only 2 Cons: The software froze once and I just powered down and restarted with no problems, and the included plastic alignment track for sliding the spectrocolormeter binds a bit half way center to three quarters through.

Comments about Datacolor Spyder3Print SR:

Works well for QTR rip profile building. Strip reading function is very fast.

Comments about Datacolor Spyder3Print SR:

I use the Spyder3Print to profile paper used in my Epson R1900. It works on all sorts of paper, both Epson and others. The resulting profiles produce better prints than the stock Epson profiles. I have not encountered anything negative about the unit.

Comments about Datacolor Spyder3Print SR:

The calibration results are fantastic, you can calibrate any color printer, it is very simple to use.

Comments about Datacolor Spyder3Print SR:

I was unhapppy with the B&W prints I was getting with the canned profiles. I was able to get a better profile in about an hour using the easy patch target with extra greys.