Quick Guide

The quick guide assumes that you have followed our instructions for setting a monitor profile to match our printer’s color and density. If you have not, please go through Monitor Setup Procedures. George’s can not assure image quality unless you have followed our Monitor Setup Procedures.

Step 1: Set your monitor’s gamma to the color profile you have created for sRGB Profile. Make any color and density corrections to your file with the sRGB Profile active as your monitor’s gamma setting.

Step 2: Make sure that the image size of your file is the proper dimensions and resolution of the print size you desire. See Resolution and Print Sizes for details. The file must be an RGB .jpg or .tif type file, horizontal orientation and must have the extension after the file name (i.e. family.jpg)

Step 3: Email Order Form and images as attached files to lab@georgescamera.com. If you would like, you may request to be emailed back when your order is ready for pickup.

If you have any questions please go to Detailed Instruction Guide or email/call us at lab@georgescamera.com or (619) 297-3544.

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Detailed Instruction Guide

Monitor Setup Procedure (Gamma)

Gamma is a control panel utility on Mac OS and Windows. It is used to calibrate your monitor and create a monitor profile for use in Photoshop X.X and all other ICC-aware applications. Calibration is the process of adjusting a device to a known set of conditions by setting the monitor’s gamma and white point. In simplest terms, white point is the balance between the red, green, and blue primaries which, combined in equal amounts at full intensity, create white. The process of creating a profile that describes your monitor conditions is called characterizing the monitor. Once the profile is created, it provides information to Photoshop X.X and other

ICC-aware applications about the monitor. Adobe Gamma can be run as a step-by-step wizard, or as a single window control panel.

On the Mac OS profiles are installed into the System Folder: Preferences: ColorSync: Profiles folder if you’re using ColorSync 2.0 or 2.12. If you’re using ColorSync 2.5, they are installed into the System Folder: ColorSync: Profiles folder.

In Windows 98, Windows 2000, and Windows XP, profiles are installed into the Windows: System32

The first step in any workflow is to calibrate and characterize your monitor. Calibration removes color casts and sets a known white point on your monitor. Characterizing creates a monitor profile. You’ll be making critical color judgments based on the colors you see on your monitor, therefore the profile and monitor must be as accurate as possible.

Monitor calibration and characterization is done with Adobe Gamma.

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Using Adobe Gamma

The following will walk you through calibrating and characterizing your monitor using Adobe Gamma. The process is similar for Windows and Mac OS; significant differences are noted. Adobe Gamma can’t be used to calibrate a monitor in Windows NT 4.0 due to the hardware shield in the system’s architecture. In Windows 98 or Me, you may also be unable to calibrate your monitor depending on the video card you’re using, as some do not allow Adobe Gamma to alter their gamma settings. In these cases, changes made with Adobe Gamma will not be visible on-screen and no system-wide calibration is possible. You can, however, use the monitor profile created with Adobe Gamma while working in Adobe Photoshop X.X.

Step 1: Set your environment
To maximize the use of Adobe Gamma, set the lighting of your work environment to its normal condition. For the most accurate on-screen color, make sure your monitor is free from glare.

Step 2: Open the Adobe Gamma control panel and follow the onscreen instructions

Adobe Gamma is a control panel in Windows and Mac OS. We recommend leaving your monitor on for at least half an hour before using Adobe Gamma. This allows time for the monitor to warm up for a more accurate color temperature reading.

In Mac OS, choose Apple Menu > Control Panels > Adobe Gamma.
In Windows, choose Start > Settings > Control Panel > Adobe Gamma.

The first time you start Adobe Gamma, you have the choice between using the control panel or wizard. In the Adobe Gamma control panel you can make all the adjustments necessary for calibrating your monitor

We recommend you use the wizard the first time you start.

Step 3: Choose monitor profile
The first window of the step-by-step setup will prompt you to confirm the monitor profile: Select sRGB Profile.

Step 4: Adjust your monitor brightness and contrast
In the next window of the step-by-step setup, you will adjust your monitor’s brightness and contrast. This enables the most accurate screen representation for the gamma adjustment that follows.

This is only a starting point. The calibration you’re doing with Adobe Gamma will further characterize the profile to match your monitor’s particular characteristics. If the monitor profile shown is not sRGB Profile, click Load for a list of available profiles. Select sRGB Profile

As you adjust the brightness, if you can’t see a difference between the two squares while keeping the frame white, your monitor’s screen phosphors may be fading. Once you have set the brightness and contrast, do not change it. If you do, the calibration you’re making will become invalid.

Step 5: Select phosphor data
In this window, you have the option to choose a predefined phosphor setting, or enter custom phosphor values:

If necessary, you can determine custom values for your monitor by checking with the monitor’s manufacturer, or by using a color measuring instrument such as colorimeter or spectrophotometer.

Step 6: Set mid-tones
Here you will adjust the brightness of the monitor’s midtones by matching the brightness of the square to the lines:

In this window, you may also have an option for choosing a desired gamma. Normally, this should be set to Macintosh (gamma 1.8) or Windows (gamma 2.2), depending on which plat-form you’re using:

Step 7: Set hardware (monitor) white point
Next you’ll need to make sure that the white point setting matches the white point of your monitor:

The monitor’s white point is the point at which equal combinations of red, green, and blue light at full intensity create white. This is a preset value for the monitor and corresponds to a standard

CIE Illuminant such as

• 5000K (D50 - Page White)
• 6500K (D65 - Windows default)
• 7500K (D75)
• 9300K (D93 - Mac OS default).

Also, most newer monitors with digital controls let you choose a specific white point for the monitor from a similar range of presets. However, since monitor phosphors degrade and change over time, the actual white point may not match the preset. In this case, you can use the Measure feature to help you select the white point of your monitor, but this is only an approximation. To get a precise value, you need to measure the white point with a desktop colorimeter or spectrophotometer and enter that value directly.

Step 8: Set adjusted white point
This option, when available, is used to choose a working white point for monitor display if that differs from the hardware white point. For example, if your hardware white point is 6500 K (D65), but you want to edit an image at 5000 K (D50 - Page white) because that most closely represents the environment in which it will normally be viewed, you can set your Adjusted White Point to 5000 K, and Adobe Gamma will change the monitor display accordingly.

However, this option will only appear on Mac OS and Windows 98/Me, and then only if your video display adapter and drivers allow gamma adjustments. If this option is unavailable and you’re not sure if your video display adapter allows gamma adjustment, please contact the display adapter manufacturer.

Step 9: Finish the setup
When you click Finish in the final setup window, the file sRGB Profile should be saved. The name selected will become the ICC device profile that defines your monitor.

Note: You must make a new profile for each output device that you intend to use.

Step 10: Making adjustments
Open the Adobe Gamma control panel

In Mac OS, choose Apple Menu > Control Panels > Adobe Gamma.
In Windows, choose Start > Settings > Control Panel > Adobe Gamma.

This time you must select the Control Panel. Make sure sRGB Profile is in the Description box. If not click Load and select sRGB Profile.

Step 11: Density adjustments
Move the slider bar under the gray square until your monitor and print match density.

Step 12: Color adjustments
Click the View Single Gamma Only and the Gray square will be replaced with Red, Green and Blue squares. Move the slider bar under each color until you are satisfied with the color and density of your monitor and print.

Step 13: Closing and saving the sRGB Profile
Once you are happy with your corrections, close and save your new settings. Make sure that the Profile name is sRGB. If you are prompted that the file already exists, select replace.

Congratulations! You have completed the Monitor Setup Procedure for matching your monitor to George’s Camera & Video Exchange’s printer. You must follow these steps for each output device in which you intend to use.

Make sure to use a unique Profile name for each output device.

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File Setup Procedures FTP & Email (Internet)

Before You Begin: Make sure that your monitor is balanced and that you have selected sRGB Profile in your gamma control panel.

If you wish to use our internet printing services you must follow the proceeding instructions.

All images must be sized for print output, in horizontal orientation and compressed as a jpg or tif file type. It is a good idea that the extension .jpg follow your file name. (i.e. family.jpg).

Step 1: Image size
Size your image file for output resolution in horizontal orientation. Use the chart below for image size properties.

Resolution and Print Sizes

4x6* prints must be set to Width 6 inches by Height 4 inches and Resolution 320 dpi.

5x7 prints must be set to Width 7 inches by Height 5 inches and Resolution 320 dpi

8x10 prints must be set to Width 10 inches by Height 8 inches and Resolution 320 dpi.

8x12 prints must be set to Width 12 inches by Height 8 inches and Resolution 320 dpi.

11x14 prints must be set to Width 14 inches by Height 11 inches and Resolution 320 dpi.

12x18 prints must be set to Width 18 inches by Height 12 inches and Resolution 320 dpi.

Custom print size will need to fit the closest available print size and will be priced accordingly.

Step 2: Set mode
Images must be sRGB color mode with only 8 bits per channel (total 24 bit color).

Step 3: Flatten layers and alpha channels
Make sure all layers are flattened and that no alpha channels exist.

Step 4: Saving file
Save your file as a .tif or .jpg file. Remember to use the extension .jpg after the filename (i.e. family.jpg).

Step 5: Folder names
Create unique folder names (i.e. use your last name as a folder name) and within your folder create a folder for each print size and surface you desire (i.e. 5x7 Glossy, 8x10 Glossy, etc.). And place all files of that type into each folder.

Step 6: Using FTP
To send files using George's FTP site, make sure that you have first downloaded FileZilla or have an FTP client software. You will need to have an FTP account set-up for you before you will be able to upload files.  Once you have been given a login ID and PASSWORD, you will have acccess to only your folder and any subfolders you create. At that time you will have full access to your images. Email lab@georgescamera.com if you would like a PASSWORD and ID. George's FTP server is located at 68.15.22.217. If you have any questions, please call or email the lab at 619-297-3544 lab@georgescamera.com.

Step 7: Order form
Fill out order form as an email to lab@georgescamera.com and attach necessary folders to the document.

Step 8: Email response
You will receive an email when we have received your order. In the response email you will be given an order number and a pick-up time for your order. If requested we will send an email to notify you when your order is available for pick-up.

If you have any questions please contact Darryn at lab@georgescamera.com or (619) 297-3544.

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File Setup Procedures (In Store Services)

Before You Begin: Make sure that your monitor is balanced and that you have selected George’s Camera Profile in your gamma control panel.

If you wish to use our internet printing services you must follow the previous instructions on File Setup Procedures (Internet).

All images must be sized for print output, in horizontal orientation. Please use jpg file format. (i.e. family.jpg). We are able to accept 400 dpi images.

Step 1: Image size
Size your image file for output resolution in horizontal orientation. Use the chart below for image size properties.

Resolution and Print Sizes

4x6* prints must be set to Width 6 inches by Height 4 inches and Resolution 320 dpi.

5x7 prints must be set to Width 7 inches by Height 5 inches and Resolution 320 dpi

8x10 prints must be set to Width 10 inches by Height 8 inches and Resolution 320 dpi.

8x12 prints must be set to Width 12 inches by Height 8 inches and Resolution 320 dpi.

11x14 prints must be set to Width 14 inches by Height 11 inches and Resolution 320 dpi.

12x18 prints must be set to Width 18 inches by Height 12 inches and Resolution 320 dpi.

Custom print size will need to fit the closest available print size and will be priced accordingly.

Step 2: Set mode
Images must be sRGB color mode with 8 bits per channel (24 bit color).

Step 3: Flatten layers and alpha channels
Make sure all layers are flattened and that no alpha channels exist.

Step 4: Saving file
Save your file as .tif or .jpg. Remember to use the extension .jpg after the filename (i.e. family.jpg).

Step 5: Folder names
Create folder names for each print size and surface you desire (i.e. 5x7 Glossy, 8x10 Glossy, etc.). And place all files of that type into each folder.

Step 6: Order form
Fill out order form.

If you have any questions please contact James at lab@georgescamera.com or (619) 297-3544.

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