How to imbed a color profile into CS3?

[Fireball]

I ran my Spyder 2 Express calibration yesterday (1st time) and thought it would automatically make that my color profile in CS3 but it doesn't. Instead when I save a file it asks if I want to imbed that profile, leave the profile already imbedded in CS3 or something else...can't remember. I can't for the life of me figure out how to change that.

[stephenpinn]

Charrie, the spyder 2 calibration was the monitor correct? That profile is just for your monitor and does not effect a printer (other than the obvious of what you see ...)

Windows/OSX will apply the monitor profile automatically as long as it is loaded (which the Spyder software should do for you)

If I am misunderstanding your question I apologize

[Fireball]

Yes, it's for my monitor. And I finally figured out that I had to go under Color Settings and change it.

I thought calibrating your monitor would help you get more accurate colors in printing. Is there something else I should do? I have an Epson Photo R1800 printer and have never gotten true colors.

[stephenpinn]

First off calibrating your monitor is the first step and a MAJOR one so good work in doing that.

I need to ask a question first, are you using Epson Inks? and whos paper do you use?

The reason I ask is that each paper/ink combination creates a different color reproduction. If you use Epson ink and Epson paper you can get a printer profile (like your monitor profile) from the vendor. Most of the popular paper providers (Red River, etc) have profiles that you can download.

I am a CS5 user so I hope most of this will apply to CS3 as well.

When printing from CS5 (and Lightroom) you do not want the printer to control the color, in the printer properties box you can select that you do not want to use a built in color manager. In the Photoshop Print dialog box you select the printer you want, tell PS that it wil be managing the color and finally select the color profile you wish to use.

I know that there are several youtube videos on how to use printer profiles with photoshop, there are also videos at Kelby Training that include the procedure.

I will try and find a couple of references for you
When you print

[stephenpinn]

here is one

Printing With Correct Color / ICC Profile - Adobe Photoshop Tutorial [In-Depth] - YouTube

Printing With Correct Color / ICC Profile - Adobe Photoshop Tutorial [In-Depth] - YouTube

[Fireball]

That tutorial was helpful, thanks. I do use only Epson inks and paper. Guess I need to download my printer profile. Thanks for your help!

[stephenpinn]

Happy to help Charrie, btw you will need to download profile(s) since every paper type you use will have a different one.

Have fun