🚀 go-pugleaf

derek,

As mentioned in my article on profiling, I start with the final location where my prints will be displayed and work backwards (assuming monitor to print match is your most important criterion). Display lighting is typically moderate to low, unless you have dedicated lights aimed at every framed print hung in your house, office or gallery. "Normal" display lighting level helps dictate the intensity of my inspection light, which in turn, feeds back to my establish monitor luminance.

Stated simply, if your prints look too dark compared to your monitor, then your monitor is too bright and you need to reduce monitor luminance. If your prints are too yellow compared to the monitor, then you need to lower the color temp of your monitor (ie, add yellow) so you get a better match. This assumes you are using a decent viewing light (Solux or Philips 5000K lighting) and not an incandescent bulb.

I always keep coming back to about 5200K white point, 2.2 gamma, and a luminance of between 85-90 for my monitor, and I get fantastic monitor to print matches (for my own prints, and also press proofs). I have always found 6500K to be way too blue, but I don't knock those who like it. I don't.

If your most important criterion is the web, then I'd probably calibrate to 6500K, 2.2g, 100 cd/m2, or possibly even a little brighter.