J B,

color printers are not suited for proofs. A professional printing process is different to what the ink jet printers offer. In addition you would need to calibrate your scanner (film or negative/slide), monitor and printer. The densitometric tools are very expensive - too expensive for 'soho' printing.

And even if you would have calibrated all devices, the colors might differ: the ink cartridges will be from different lots in the factory, and they don't calibrate the inks - there is a relatively large variation in color pigments.

Finally: to proof your colors you need to find a printing company with proof equipment. A letter or A4 size proof costs between US$ 80 and 200, depending on the equipment they use.

Part of the problem is based on the different color models:

your monitor display shows colors that are 'active light', that means the CRT or TFT pixels emit light in the specified color.

A printed color is a passive one - it only reflects the environmental color. Examined in bright sunlight the printed colors will definitely look different than in artificial light in an office or home (bulbs and flourescent lamps emit different wave lenghts - bulbs more read, the 'neons' more blue).

Complicated? You bet!

If you want to achieve a certain color on a specific paper, there is no way around a test pattern. Then you pick the color you want and use that one, no matter how it will look on your screen... a purple on your screen might be the perfect blue on the print!

jens