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frstbse
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Q: Unable to print correct color.  Ever.  I need a guru.

I have tried embedding Adobe color profile.  I have tried NOT embedding profile.  I have tried printing from Photoshop using Color Sync.  I have tried printing from Preview (using TIFF) and Adobe color controls rather than ColorSync.  No matter what I seem to do, I cannot print the color temperature I see on the screen.  Everything has a slightly marooned tint to it - away from yellow.  It's not horrible, but it is also not acceptable.

 

I am on a Macbook Pro, OSX 10.7.5

 

Photoshop CS5 (extended) 12.1

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.7.3)

Posted on Dec 22, 2013 3:46 PM

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frstbse

Q: Unable to print correct color.  Ever.  I need a guru.

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  • by Studio X,Helpful

    Studio X Studio X Dec 23, 2013 10:00 AM in response to frstbse
    Level 7 (27,074 points)
    Dec 23, 2013 10:00 AM in response to frstbse

    There are three things in this chain that must be aligned for prints to come out as expected.

     

    1. The image must be in a color space that the monitor can accurately represent

    2. The monitor must be calibrated to represent that color space accurately

    3. The printer must be able to represent that color space accurately.

     

    Main issues with mis-matched color can be due to:

    • using a color space that is not supported by your printer
    • using a color space on your printer or output device that is different than the color space of your file/editing program
    • having a monitor that is seriously out of calibration.
    If you are interested in good quality prints, start with the monitor since that is how you are setting up the image.
    There are a number of calibration devices/ software out there. I used a Spyder 2 Pro for a while and it helped. There are also others.
    Have fun.
    x

  • by frstbse,

    frstbse frstbse Dec 23, 2013 10:16 AM in response to Studio X
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 23, 2013 10:16 AM in response to Studio X

    Thanks, Studio -

     

    The images are RGB - is that what you're talking about?  And I assume that because I am viewing and producing them in Photoshop, that they are "Adobe RGB".

     

    I have custom calibrated my monitor, though for all of this I have relied on the generic "Color LCD" color setting for the Macbook Pro.

     

    The printer is Epson 2200.  How does one know the capabilities and the relationship of a printer to a computer???  The 2200 was bought in '05 I think.  It is a probably low-end pro-sumer model and an excellent printer.

  • by Studio X,Helpful

    Studio X Studio X Dec 23, 2013 11:32 AM in response to frstbse
    Level 7 (27,074 points)
    Dec 23, 2013 11:32 AM in response to frstbse

    Try working in the color space sRGB. It has a narrower gamut.

     

    Make sure you have changed the print settings to have Photoshop control the printer color space. You do not want the printer to reinterpret the colors.

     

    Google up the specs on the Epson. It should be able to print stuff in an sRGB space.

     

    How did you "custom calibrate" the monitor? Using a hardware sensor or by using your eyeballs?

     

    You may want to look into PrintTao from Silverfast. It purports to make true color  prints out of Epsons much more reliable.

     

    (edit: it looks like PrinTao 8  doesn't support your printer. sorry)

     

    Good luck,

     

    x