Ive been shooting for a few years and this thread is pure gold for me. Thx guys.
I have not printed not even one of my images...ever since my first SLR. However im at the point im interested in selling my images- online, print, etc. The bad experience with home printers is a super turn off, but you have to pay to play. Gotta learn.
I found that it was easier working with commercial print houses than printing at home.
I think one of the points was that the tools haven't seemed to mature over the years- since there was no indesign, and we still used terms like "desktop publishing'. The Software just doesn't seem to take into account the basic necessities listed in this thread here. As opposed to virtually the most of the pc software sectors, print UI's havent changed a lick in 15+ years.
Imagine one print APPLICATION for the entire computer - that other software 'plugs' into. A true print center that's its own app, not some status mundane status box tacked on to your favorite application. Only then will devs build in common sense usability standards to make it easier for all of us. Need pantone colors? Plug it in! Your favorite print house exclusive setup? Plug it in. All with a standards based approach. Print heaven.
Everything would be listed there.
color space- check
monitor/ambient light equivalent view - check
correct print profile- check
rgb simulated preview- on/off
cmyk simulated preview- on/off
software status check- check
test run at current settings option- yes/no
one click 'print scenario' saves- yes/no
green light - all pieces are in place
or red light- there's seems to be a mismatch
Something along these lines
