Pantone and ColorVision are shipping PrintFix, a Mac OS X compatible color control system designed to produce accurate printer profiles for photographic inkjet prints.
The hardware/software combination is targeted to graphic artists and digital photographers (amateur and pro). The initial release supports the majority of Epson’s inkjet printers; new models and manufacturers will be added continuously.
A plug-in for Adobe Photoshop (5.5 and later) and Photoshop Elements, PrintFix prints a calibration chart, which is read back into your Mac with the USB PrintFix Patch Reader. The PrintFIX software creates an ICC profile of the printer’s color behavior on specific inkjet paper, creating a print that matches what’s seen on your monitor.
You can buy PrintFix for US$299 until the end of the month; after this the price goes to $352. New printer-specific calibration charts may be downloaded as they become available. A version bundled with Spyder Pro and OptiCal — a professional monitor calibration solution — is also available for $587.