Printing in color

iPhoto prints in color just fine - it sounds like you may have the printer specific settings set for B&W - they are located near the middle of the second print window (if they are not click on the black tringle next to the printer name) to expand teh printer window.

LN

First try the basic fix: close iPhoto, delete the iPhoto preference file, com.apple.iPhoto.plist, that resides in your User/Library/Preferences folder, launch iPhoto and see if that helps.

TIP: For insurance against the iPhoto database corruption that many users have experienced I recommend making a backup copy of the Library6.iPhoto (iPhoto.Library for iPhoto 5 and earlier) database file and keep it current. If problems crop up where iPhoto suddenly can't see any photos or thinks there are no photos in the library, replacing the working Library6.iPhoto file with the backup will often get the library back. By keeping it current I mean backup after each import and/or any serious editing or work on books, slideshows, calendars, cards, etc. That insures that if a problem pops up and you do need to replace the database file, you'll retain all those efforts. It doesn't take long to make the backup and it's good insurance.
I've created an Automator workflow application (requires Tiger or later), iPhoto dB File Backup, that will copy the selected Library6.iPhoto file from your iPhoto Library folder to the Pictures folder, replacing any previous version of it. It's compatible with iPhoto 6 and 7 libraries and Tiger and Leopard. Just put the application in the Dock and click on it whenever you want to backup the dB file. iPhoto does not have to be closed to run the application, just idle. You can download it at Toad's Cellar. Be sure to read the Read Me pdf file.

Note: There's now an Automator backup application for iPhoto 5 that will work with Tiger or Leopard.

I have a G4 iBook running OS 10.5.6 and a Canon PIXMAR MP 610 photo printer. I get the best color printing by saving my Photoshop Elements output on to an SD flash card and plugging it directly into the printer (using Pictbridge works fine if I'm happy with the unedited files in the camera). Next best is via USB from iPhoto using the Colorsync setting. Using the "vendor" setting for color management - which I assume means the printer vendor - results in washed out, grainy prints.
What's happening - I think - is that the built in Canon PIXMAR printer image processing software does an outstanding job of getting the best color results. Comments anyone?

Log into another account on your Mac and see if you get the same results from iPhoto there. If so then a reinstall of iPhoto appears warranted. To do so you'll have to delete the current application and all files with "iPhoto" in the file name that reside in the HD/Library/Receipts folder.

If you can print color from iPhoto in the other account then your primary account is the culprit. It could be a preference file other than iPhoto's. Here's how to determine if that's the issue:

Trouble Shooting Preferences in Leopard

1 - Create a folder titled "Preferences A" on the Desktop.
2 - Open the working Preferences folder, HD/Users/your_name/Library/Preferences, and move the contents to the Preferences A folder on the Desktop.
3 - Make a duplicate copy of the Preferences A folder on the Desktop as a precautionary backup.
4 - With the working Preferences folder empty run the application again and determine if the problems is fixed.

NOTE: you may have to drag the contents of the working folder to the trash and empty if moving the contents to the A folder only copies them instead of moving.

5 - If the problem is fixed:

A - open the working Preferences folder (HD/Users/your_name/Library/Preferences).
B - Open the Preferences A folder on the Desktop, select all of the contents and drag them into the working Preferences folder.
C - When the Copy window pops up check the "Apply to All" check box and then click on the Don't Replace button as seen here.

6 - If the problem is NOT fixed, empty the working Preferencess folder and move the contents of the Preferences folder on the desktop back into it.

OT