How to set print settings

Question

How to set print settings

I have an Epson R260 printer and previously printed using photoshop Elements, with Elements managing the color. I am trying to figure out how to print using iPhoto.

When I choose a photo and click the print button, I get a box that has 4 presets: "Photo on Photo paper", "Photo on Photo Paper - Fine", and 2 more for matte paper. I pick the Photo on Photo Paper - Fine preset and click the Print button. This gives me another print dialog, again with a Presets drop-down, but now with "Standard" available and preselected. Should I re-select the "Photo on Photo Paper - Fine" option here? Or leave it at Standard? There also is an "Advanced" button, which allows me to choose Print Settings -- once more allowing me to select a paper type and print quality, as well as color management, where I can set what looks like parameters for the Epson print driver -- Mode (Epson Vivid is preselected, but Standard and Adobe RGB are other selections) and Gamma (1.8 is preselected, but 1.5 and 2.2 are available).

I've gone through 3 or 4 different tries at combinations and either get something rather garish, or too dark. Can someone help out?

iMac 17", Mac OS X (10.4.3)

Posted on Nov 7, 2007 3:47 AM

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Answer 1

Old Toad

Level 10

215,754 points

Nov 7, 2007 12:44 PM in response to James Ackermann1

Jim:

What I do is create a special setting for the printer while in PSE with the settings for the paper quailty and other items that you use for best prints and save with a custom name. Then go thru the print process in iPhoto selecting the printer and print size. Then in the last window you can select the custom setting that you developed earlier.

You'll be able to use those settings from any application.

Do you Twango?

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Answer 2

Nov 7, 2007 6:36 PM in response to Old Toad

Thanks. As a follow-up, what settings do you use for print management? iPhoto, I understand, is not a "color managed" application (or am I wrong?), or at least, I don't think it will manage the print driver, so you have to use the driver that comes with the printer. Do you use colorsync? Epson Vivid or Standard? What about the gamma setting? I think that's where my confusion lies.

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Answer 3

Old Toad

Level 10

215,754 points

Nov 7, 2007 7:38 PM in response to James Ackermann1

I print everything thru Photoshop and have it set to manage the color. However in checking the settings that I have for the Epson and Canon printers I think they got messed up with the Leopard upgrade. I'll have to reset them and checkout which work best again. I use both Epson Ultra Premium Glossy and Ultra Premium Presentation Paper: Matte. The matte paper really produces some spectacular prints, especially portraits.

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