Monitor calibration
From The Glossary of Digital Photography
The process of adjusting a computer monitor to a known standard. This is a vital function for a digital photographer to perform on his or her computer system; it ensures not only color accuracy but also repeatable results when dealing with other computer systems, such as those used by color labs to make color prints. There are software calibration tools such as Adobe Gamma that rely on a user's eyes to match colors. Hardware calibration techniques using a device called a puck to measure the color values on the monitor are much more accurate. The calibration procedure involves (1) setting the monitor to standard conditions, usually 6500 K (known as D65) and a gamma of 2.2; (2) setting the black and white levels; (3) eliminating colorcasts by balancing the red, green, and blue levels; (4) using the hardware device, with software, to measure known colors. The software constructs a monitor profile to adjust the monitor to its calibrated state.
