tntoofore

Q: Color printing from Photos has suddenly degraded--why?

Printed ~16 4x6 color prints from Photos last night without problems. Now, can only achieve very degraded prints, with what appears to be excessive black ink, with wet areas where black is color. Prints color copies and B & W text without difficulty. Have Photos 1.5 (370.42.0); El Capitan 10.11.5. Canon MX 920 series printer--about 1 year old & no previous problems. Would appreciate any suggestions. Printing with same settings as before, but with markedly different results. Since color copies seem OK, seems unlikely to be printer problem??

iMac, OS X El Capitan (10.11.5), Ipodtouch; Ipad I 3G; previous IIGS

Posted on Jun 20, 2016 8:06 AM

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Q: Color printing from Photos has suddenly degraded--why?

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  • by Old Toad,Helpful

    Old Toad Old Toad Jun 20, 2016 8:49 AM in response to tntoofore
    Level 10 (140,898 points)
    Photos for Mac
    Jun 20, 2016 8:49 AM in response to tntoofore

    TH.png

    Try printing one of the photos from outside the library with Preview.  Since both apps use the same system components for printing this will tell us if the problem lies with Photos or is system wide.

    OTsig.png

  • by tntoofore,

    tntoofore tntoofore Jun 20, 2016 8:52 AM in response to Old Toad
    Level 1 (14 points)
    Photos for Mac
    Jun 20, 2016 8:52 AM in response to Old Toad

    Not entirely sure I got the image "outside the library"--I brought it up with Photos, then used Preview to "copy" it using the selection option, then printed it. The result was much better than what I have been getting, although, of course, it was on regular printing paper rather than photo paper. There was no "puddling" of the blacks, and color was essentially normal.

  • by Old Toad,

    Old Toad Old Toad Jun 20, 2016 8:59 AM in response to tntoofore
    Level 10 (140,898 points)
    Photos for Mac
    Jun 20, 2016 8:59 AM in response to tntoofore

    Try exporting the original version out of Photos, open with Preview and print that version:

    Photos002.jpg

  • by tntoofore,

    tntoofore tntoofore Jun 20, 2016 9:19 AM in response to Old Toad
    Level 1 (14 points)
    Photos for Mac
    Jun 20, 2016 9:19 AM in response to Old Toad

    I exported to the desktop, but, then when I printed, rather than just the usual, simple printing from Preview, the options to set printing up for the printer came up and I set them as close as could to how I print color prints. Got the image on the 4x6 print paper, and it was again downgraded as before--much worse than when I printed using Preview before without setting any printing parameters. I then couldn't seem to get back the option to print in the usual Preview way, even though was still in Preview. However, that first time, even though I may have been using the image from the library, printing from Preview gave MUCH better image.

  • by tntoofore,

    tntoofore tntoofore Jun 20, 2016 11:23 AM in response to tntoofore
    Level 1 (14 points)
    Photos for Mac
    Jun 20, 2016 11:23 AM in response to tntoofore

    I did another cold boot of computer, turned off printer, brought up the exported image and printed using Preview, but this time reset printing parameters to "default" and printed on letter sized regular paper. Once again, the outcome was what I interpret as "normal" from printing with the resolution expected with Preview for an enlarged image on regular printing paper. I then went again into Photos and printed on 4x6 photo paper using the usual settings except substituting "default" for "fine" in one of the settings and again got the poor quality with xs black dots and general excess of print. It is as if the printer is trying to both print in color and in fine B&W at the same time. In past, including last night, it has been necessary to set one of the settings to "fine" in addition to indicating photo paper. To me, it seems as if something in the message to the printer, whether from Photos or from the printer control program, is misfiring.

  • by Old Toad,

    Old Toad Old Toad Jun 20, 2016 2:04 PM in response to tntoofore
    Level 10 (140,898 points)
    Photos for Mac
    Jun 20, 2016 2:04 PM in response to tntoofore

    First try resetting the Printer according to this Apple document: Reset the printing system on your Mac - Apple Support

     

    If that doesn't help remove the printer via the System/Printers & Scanners preference pane and apply the appropriate driver from this Canon page:  Canon PIXMA MX920 Driver Download  and try printing again from Photos and Preview.

     

  • by tntoofore,

    tntoofore tntoofore Jun 20, 2016 3:03 PM in response to Old Toad
    Level 1 (14 points)
    Photos for Mac
    Jun 20, 2016 3:03 PM in response to Old Toad

    Reset did not help. Have not been able to find driver for MX 920 series or my specific 922 printer listed, although there was long list of MX drivers, including 924. Have contacted Canon on line for assistance, but have not heard from them.

  • by Old Toad,

    Old Toad Old Toad Jun 20, 2016 3:41 PM in response to tntoofore
    Level 10 (140,898 points)
    Photos for Mac
    Jun 20, 2016 3:41 PM in response to tntoofore

    Have you tried the Apple supplied print driver in here:  Canon Printer Drivers v3.3 for OS X. According to the Apple  document that is linked to on that page, Printer and scanner software available for download for your Mac - Apple Support,  your printer is supported by the drives in that download.