Which 27" IPS Monitor for illustration (Photoshop) work

puffinchunks · 7 Nov 2017 at 13:08

Hey,

I'm after a new monitor for my book illustration work. Currently, I've got a dual monitor setup with two AOC 23" IPS screens. They're both fine, but I really don't use the second screen and with some big new projects on the go I thought I might get myself a single nicer, bigger display. It'd save some much-needed space too.

What I need:
- All my work is done in Photoshop and Illustrator
- Colour accuracy is really important as I design for print
- 27" and up would be preferable, and at least 1440p (currently on 1080)
- Budget is around £400 but can go slightly higher possibly - I use it every day...

Aside from those basics, I'm a bit unsure. The top contender for me is the Dell Ultrasharp U2715H, which ticks a lot of boxes and is QHD. I'm really open though, not hugely knowledgeable about monitors...

Holst1981 · 7 Nov 2017 at 13:12

I'm very happy with my u2715h
Also used for illustrator and photoshop.

I prefer to still use two screens as I've got used that layout.

MrRockliffe · 7 Nov 2017 at 13:19

Anything with 100% sRGB will do the job. If you're really serious about colours, spend £300 on a monitor, and then 80 on a colour calibrator. You can then calibrate every display in the house (including current monitors - will help selling them if they're calibrated too)

GW2765HT is around £250 most places - seems very good value for what it offers.

FL630 · 7 Nov 2017 at 13:42

MrRockliffe said:
If you're really serious about colours, spend £300 on a monitor, and then 80 on a colour calibrator

This.

You can spend 300 or 3000 on a monitor, but that calibrator will make the biggest difference.

When I worked in GD I ran (and still do, though not for it's intended performance) a Samsung 32D850, 1440p 32" VA panel. It's not a bad panel but calibrated it was excellent to work with, especially with all the real estate.

No longer work in design but it's always been a real pleasure to use.

puffinchunks · 7 Nov 2017 at 13:52

Hmm, hadn't even factored in calibrators!

Would the Spyder5 Express be okay? Or should I go pro. Thanks for that BenQ suggestion too, looks like great value (if not as much of a looker as the Dell)

Arcane · 7 Nov 2017 at 16:45

Make sure you've set the Creative Suite to Europe Pre_Press 3 or General Purpose 3 via Edit > Colour Settings in Bridge (no other CC apps open). I've found that makes the most difference to getting colour correct when it goes to Print. I've used Eizos, i ones etc and although they do really help if you've got CC set to US SWAP or whatever it'll all go down the pan once the printer gets hold of it. I've personally not bothered calibrating the monitor i'm using at the moment as the agency won't pay for one but by setting CC up correctly and using the Colour Bridge versions of the Pantone Colours (for 4 colour, they have CP at the end of the swatch name), you can get a really good idea what it will look like by cross referencing it in the Pantone Swatch book.