Setting up Monitor for Newspaper viewing

Question

Hi,
I have a quato 213e series monitor which is properly calibrated. The problem that I am facing is as follows:
when I Proof Setup PS to view to ISOnewspaper26v4.icc standard, because paper white is not set, I see very bright colours, if I turn on the "Simulate Paper Color" Option the image looks more or less OK but the image looks very flat compared to the printed sample. am I doing any thing wrong here?
Just for information the images are already CMYK in ISOnewspaper26v4.icc color space and the test printed sample is very close to the ISOnewspaper standard, so thinking that either the image is not properly tagged or the printed sample is not good is not an option.
I have no problem with any other kind of images except newspaper images that too I presume is because of such huge difference in the paper white of the newsprint media.
Thanks
Tarun

Answer 1

Tarun,
ISO Newsprint 26v4 has a paper white (I hesitate to call it "white") of 85L, 1a, 5b, which is a very dull, yellowish-whitish gray.  The black point is 32L, 0a, 1b, which is a very weak black (more of a dark gray).  The dynamic range is pitiful on newsprint.  I know you are aware of all this.
Soft proofing super low dynamic range in Photoshop is not easy.  First, I would definitely check the "Paper White" box.  Hit the Tab key to hide all your palettes, make sure the white ruler is not displayed, and repeatedly hit the "F" key on your keyboard until you have the gray background showing, without any other photoshop elements (especially pure white and pure black elements).  Yes, it will still be washed out, but at least you won't be comparing your dingy soft proof to bright white and dark black components on the screen.  These will make the comparison look even worse.  I'd also turn the ambient room lighting down low and be sure you don't any bright lights or objects in your field of view. This will help a little.
The monitor black point and ambient viewing conditions are critical when viewing low dynamic range processes, and checking Black Ink or Paper White takes some getting used to.  I never find it truly accurate either. Your eye gets fooled easily by any brighter or darker elements so they should be avoided.  The higher the dynamic range and gamut of your final print, the better the soft proof appears.  The lower the gamut and dynamic range, the worse the match, at least in my experience.  You have to learn to interpret what you are seeing and what to expect on the printed page.
If you have verified that your inkjet simulation is a decent match to your output on newsprint, I'd rely on that as a guide.  And when simulating newsprint on your inkjet, use Relative Colorimetric with BPC OFF, or Absolute Colorimetric, otherwise you will remap blacks to the higher Dmax capability of your proofing paper, and they will be darker than newsprint can reach. I'd also use an uncoated, matte, dingy proofing paper if you have it.
Lou