The part about matching prints under a desk lamp really hits home. I spent two months chasing a similar cast on my Canon, and it turned out my monitor was just lying to me about everything. I finally borrowed a buddy's old card and did the same lamp trick, and yeah, it was honestly humbling how fast it fixed things. I get why people drop serious cash on the fancy gear, but for the rest of us who just need the prints to look right for clients, a cheap card does the heavy lifting. The fact that it worked for you on two totally different printers makes me think it's more reliable than people give it credit for. Just don't lose the card, because the moment you do, you'll be back to guessing.

Honestly, I read somewhere that chopped brisket in tortillas with pickled onions fixes almost any dry meat.

Honestly, that visual comparison trick feels kind of backwards to me. Clients pick retainer because it hides the real cost per hour, not because a spreadsheet suddenly makes them feel calm. You basically sold them on paying a flat rate for time you might not even use, and they loved it because it takes the pressure off them to watch the clock. Maybe that works in your industry, but I've seen too many retainers blow up when scope creeps and the client expects everything under the sun for the same price. The predictable part is nice until they start treating you like an employee they don't have to pay overtime to. Your side by side just made it look like a deal, but it might be a deal you regret in six months.

Is the sinking from roots rotting away after the grind, or just poor soil fill?

Honestly, that just sounds like a thorough client who wants to be sure, and you gave them exactly what they needed to get there. If anything, you should charge more upfront so those 50 drafts feel like a bonus, not a giveaway.