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DPChallenge Forums >> Hardware and Software >> Achieving the best print quality at home?
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Showing posts 1 - 9 of 9, (reverse)
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 05/02/2011 11:18:56 PM · #1
So, I'm confused. It's finals week, I'm printing my portfolio, and also a few images.

I'm using an Epson R1900 with a CIS/ink from inkjetfly.com

I'm using Epson Matte paper for my portfolio prints, and Red River paper (gloss) for my photos.

I've tried other papers, and I get extremely poor results (more-often-than-not) with things like blacks looking faded, or type/edges looking blurred. Even on quality stock, it's difficult to get a print that has close to the same tonal range as what I see on screen.

RR papers come with ICC profiles for them, but I get so confused when it comes to using them -- There's just so many different places where color profiles can be changed, that I have no clue what my print-conversion steps should be.

Color-spaces, ICC profiles, Colorsync-controls, bleh.

Is there a difference to how I should be approaching printing -whether that be red river, epson or other paper?
What are your steps for printing?

Any other matte papers that I should look at besides Epson or RR? (min-size I use is 11x17 due to design work) - I've done a few trips to Kelly Paper in Oakland, but they tend to cater mainly to businesses & laser paper. Local photo places here pretty much carry only Epson. I like the Epson stock, it just doesn't seem to hold up well when printing large blocks of color on it.

Thanks - James
05/02/2011 11:23:14 PM · #2
Originally posted by jamesgoss:
What are your steps for printing?

1. Size for standard-size print paper
2. Upload to Costco
3. Pick up photographic prints in 1-2 hours.

Step zero would be to download their individual printer profiles, but so far I've been happy with the results I get without that step.
 05/02/2011 11:25:35 PM · #3
There are a couple of things to point out here:

1) the profiles provided by Red River and other paper manufacturers are for Epson Ink so using a third party ink will throw the results off (maybe not by much) but the profile won't be an exact match for the ink and paper you are using

2) In photoshop colour management select the paper profile and turn off colour management in the printer driver.

Other papers I've tried and like are MOAB matte papers. My new favourite though is Red River Polar Pearl Metallic.

Message edited by author 2011-05-02 23:27:38.
 05/03/2011 12:54:23 AM · #4
Originally posted by GeneralE:
Originally posted by jamesgoss:
What are your steps for printing?

1. Size for standard-size print paper
2. Upload to Costco
3. Pick up photographic prints in 1-2 hours.

Step zero would be to download their individual printer profiles, but so far I've been happy with the results I get without that step.


Do you convert file to Adobe RGB color profile before sending to Costco, or just leave it as sRGB?
 05/03/2011 01:21:52 AM · #5
My camera saves in sRGB anyway, so I don't change anything.

Most of their printers are Noritsu, and they print to Fuji Crystal Archive paper ... an 8x10 (or 8x12) is $1.49, a 12x18 is $2.99 ...

Message edited by author 2011-05-03 01:24:43.
 05/03/2011 01:32:33 AM · #6
My camera is set to save in sRGB also, so I don't mess with the color profile either. I've read that you get more accurate print colors changing to RGB (but I've also read that you get the best colors regardless using the default sRGB). The whole subject confuses me. I gave trouble getting blues to print the same as they display on my calibrated monitor whether I print them myself or send them to a lab.

I guess the problem could be my 17 year old 19" CRT monitor ;)
05/03/2011 02:54:57 AM · #7
Yeah, I always got stuck in the whole, "choose a profile, then turn off color controls" stage, but I think I have it now.
My ink seems to go down a little too heavy, causing the paper to react like a noodle, but the color looks good. Thanks!

I'm tempted to print from Costco, I've heard quite a bit of good. Most of what I print tends to be non-photographic (type explorations, stuff to be xeroxed/distressed, etc), but those prices sound like they're hardly making a profit. Even with my CIS, I think I calculated my cost per print being in the mid $2 range. (most of it was the paper)

Message edited by author 2011-05-03 02:56:58.
 05/13/2011 10:57:34 PM · #8
I ran into something similar to yours. I printed an artwork on epson glossy paper but the color, contrast, and saturation are all off. After printing bunch of images, I found a solution that work for me. I'll write down my setting that produced closest result to original print from epson ink. This setting has been test with a CMYK file in Photoshop CS5, an imac and epson R1900.

My color setting in photoshop is
RGB: sRGB IEC61966-2.1
CMYK: U.S. Web coated (SWOP) v2
gray: dot grain 20%
Spot: dot gain 20%

In print window, (Ctrl + P or Cmd + P)
select Color Management and check Document instead of proof
Under Color Handling, select Printer manages Colors
Printer profile: sRGB IEC61966-2.1 (It should be your working color)
Rendering intent: "MUST BE" Relative Colorimetric. I tried other setting and the print doesn't have enough contrast compared to the one from Epson Ink.

Click on "Print Settings" and another window appears
Switch from "Layout" tab to Print Settings. (if you use window, find Print Settings)
Under "Basic" tab, this is my setting
Media Type: Photo Paper Glossy (this is what I use, select the right type that you're using)
Color: Color
Color Setting: EPSON Vivid (this is important)
Print Quality: Photo
High Speed (I use high speed printing. turn it off if you prefer higher quality)

This is the most important step
Click on Advanced Color Settings and set your default values (0) to:
Gamma: 2.2 (default)
Brightness: 6
Contrast: 9
Saturation: 0
Cyan: 14
Magenta: 20
Yellow: -6

For print with lots of Green and Magenta, this setting produces a great result
For print with lots of Yellow (especially lime green) reduce Magenta down a little (3-5 points).

Without the setting above, I get dull print with lots of Yellow and lack of Magenta, but the setting above produces a close result comparing to what I have on the screen.
If anyone can find a better solution, please post it so we all can learn.
05/14/2011 10:58:48 PM · #9
Actually, you're making much more work for yourself.

If you are having the printer manage the colours then the correct profile for the paper you are using should be used, not your working profile in photoshop. The purpose of the print driver is to convert from the working profile to the print profile.

The steps you have done essentially make the conversion a manual process which you will have to repeat and change for each paper you use. That's what the paper profiles are for.

Another option is to indicate that PS is handling the colour management, choose the correct paper profile in the colour management window and turn off colour management in the print driver. This is the recommended approach.
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