Test Patterns for Monitor Calibration

Free Resources for LCD and CRT Monitor Calibration

CalibrationAider FREE DOWNLOAD

Most of Imaging Associates effort in the area of test patterns is now focused on our free monitor calibration software, CalibrationAider. CalibrationAider contains built-in test patterns for monitor calibration - and its free of charge!

Some test patterns for monitor calibration are still available for free download on this page. If you would find more individual test patterns useful, please send us feedback. Thanks!

For a more detailed discussion of using test patterns to calibrate your monitor, download our free monitor calibration application, CalibrationAider, and refer to the tutorial.

While you are testing your monitor, why not try our Free Online Dead and Stuck Pixel Finder, our Free Online Stuck Pixel Exerciser, and other Free Monitor Testing Tools.

For more information about monitor calibration, read our eBook, "A Basic Guide to Monitor Calibration". For in depth discussion of monitor calibration in the context of creating a color managed workflow, see our eBook "A Basic Guide to Color Management". Free Sample Chapters are available in PDF Format.

Free CRT and LCD monitor calibration using Gretag-Macbeth Eye-One Calibration Hardware, forms part of our Introduction to Digital Color Management Course.

Most of Imaging Associates effort in the area of test patterns is now focused on our free monitor calibration software, CalibrationAider. CalibrationAider contains built-in test patterns for monitor calibration - and its free of charge!

If you are looking for free Test Patterns, you might find our targeted Test Pattern Search Engine useful. It is a community-driven "Swicki" that learns from the choices and feedback of its users. Click here to give the Test Pattern Search Engine a try. Or enter your search below:

How Many Shades of Gray Does Your Monitor Allow You to Distinguish?

A properly calibrated monitor is an essential component of a color managed workflow allowing consistant display of colored images. A properly calibrated monitor will allow you to distinguish the maximum number of colors or shades of gray. The following grayscale "staircase" will be of some assistance in evaluating your monitors performance. At the far left is a pure black (in eight bit RGB that is (0,0,0)) , and at the far right is a pure white (in eight bit RGB that is (255,255,255)). The staircase is divided into sections of equal area. Each section on the staircase is an equal "step" in intensity from pure black to pure white.

How many shades of gray can you see between the pure black and the pure white? If your monitor is calibrated correctly and your contrast and brightness are optimally adjusted, you should be able to see 15 grays between the black and the white. If you cannot. try carefully adjusting your constrast and brightness controls, aiming to maximize the number of grays you can perceive.