New monitor, now my colors don't print right

[bigkidjr]

hey you guys. I'm hoping someone might be able to help me. About a month or so ago, I got a new flat screen LCD monitor. The colors are sharp and bright, and the monitor is otherwise a pleasure. Only problem is, now whenever I create a new photo art portrait, it looks great on the screen but the colors don't print correctly. They mainly seem to print out looking too dark. I thought I had color management set up, because I have the printer and monitor both set to sRGB IEC6 1966-2.1 (standard color profile), but I guess I'm still missing something?

Any help would be MOST APPRECIATED, as all of my work (some of which are commissioned pieces) is currently looking like crap because of the color problem.

Thanks so much,

Kid

p.s. what, exactly, is adobe gamma, and should I be using it?

[chrishoggy]

The best way I have found to set up your monitor/printer to print exactly as on screen is.
1/ create an image with a band of red, green and blue stripes
2/ Print this image out and also keep it open on the screen
3/ Now adjust your monitor settings to match the printed image

I know this sounds a bit caveman style, but it is the only true way to match the two up. I know most will say you need to match settings for printer and monitor etc, but as you have now found out, this doesn't always work out. Your eye will always be able to match the colours better than any pre-fixed settings. Plus the settings don't take in to account for differences in Ink quality and colours etc