• Welcome to the Lightroom Queen Forums! We're a friendly bunch, so please feel free to register and join in the conversation. If you're not familiar with forums, you'll find step by step instructions on how to post your first thread under Help at the bottom of the page. You're also welcome to download our free Lightroom Quick Start eBooks and explore our other FAQ resources.
  • Dark mode now has a single preference for the whole site! It's a simple toggle switch in the bottom right-hand corner of any page. As it uses a cookie to store your preference, you may need to dismiss the cookie banner before you can see it. Any problems, please let us know!

First steps towards printing...

Status
Not open for further replies.

MMarz

Active Member
Joined
Nov 13, 2007
Messages
469
OK... so , I have the new Epson R19'' setup, and have a few test prints done..

Here are a few questions...

I am using a color calibrated monitor. All settings to allow the printer to manage the color output are disabled. Prints are just a tad off on vibrancy when compared to the monitor preview. Skin tones are a bit muted, and prints can use a little more brightness and vibrance.. Suggestions?

Will a different paper make an improvement? I am using Epson Glossy Photo Paper and the appropriate ICC paper profile is installed.

Next, are paper profiles specific to printers? In other words, if I want to use one printer for soft proofing or test prints, and another for final prints, do the same ICC profiles work for both printers, even if they are of different brands?? (HP & Epson)
 
Even with the best calibration the physical print will always be a little different from the monitor. Its just a question of physics and how the colors are created in each medium. How vibrant colors are, or how black the blacks are, are very dependent on the paper and ink combination used to render the print. So you need to experiment with different papers and ICC profiles to achieve your desired results. Once you do you can rely upon those combinations and will develop an eye for how the monitor and print vary.

ICC profiles are unique for each printer/paper/ink combination. It's best to do a soft proof of a section of the image on the printer to be used for the final print if you want a true preview at the final results.

Printing is a wonderful (and sometimes frustrating) area of photography. But it is worth the effort since you will feel a certain sense of accomplishment when creating your own prints!
 
So you need to experiment with different papers and ICC profiles to achieve your desired results. Once you do you can rely upon those combinations and will develop an eye for how the monitor and print vary.

OK...So I know there are no absolutes, but I am to understand that you are saying try different profiles with the same paper?
 
No. Each printer/paper/ink combination has a profile. You can, of course, experiment but understand that the results will be less predictable.

Sometimes different sources will have a profile for the same printer/paper/ink combination. For example, Epson might have one and the paper manufacturer may also have one. You could try both to see which gives you the most pleasing results.
 
Thanks Gene...in this case I am using all Epson..paper, ink and printer.

Results so far are not too good.
 
Michael can you please detail your steps to print - from woe to go in the print module - thanks.
 
Kiwigeoff;32'18 said:
Michael can you please detail your steps to print - from woe to go in the print module - thanks.

Assume the monitor is properly calibrated and I have reached what would otherwise be a final display image...

Layout Engine Panel:
Picture Package / Maximum Size Template
Image Setting Panel: Rotate to Fit
Layout Panel: Default settings for Maximum Size template
Guides Panel: all but Dimensions
Overlays: None
Print Job: Print to = Printer / Draft Mode Printing = Unchecked / Print Resolution = 24'ppi / Print Sharpening = Standard (8.5x11 print) / Media Type = Glossy / Color Management = SPR19'' Photo Paper Glossy / Rendering Intent = Perceptual

Click Print Button / Printer Properties,
Main Tab: Defaults to paper type I am using..Premium Photo Paper Glossy / Quality Option = Photo (tried Best Photo as well..no perceptible difference) / Print Options = Gloss (Auto)
Advanced Tab: All default except Color Management = ICN, and check box Off (No Color Adjustment) is selected. No other changes to the other tabs.

Send to Printer...

The main issue is skin tones which appear muted, with less vibrance and less color...almost a darkened overwash.

Did I miss anything?
 
Did you use the "page set up" first and save the setting as "standard"?
This ought to be one of the first steps not the last when you have hit print.
 
Kiwigeoff;32'28 said:
Did you use the "page set up" first and save the setting as "standard"?
This ought to be one of the first steps not the last when you have hit print.

Yes, sorry. I did that. Actually saved as My Settings and these mimic the settings above.
 
MMarz;32'3' said:
Yes, sorry. I did that. Actually saved as My Settings and these mimic the settings above.
SOP (Standard Operating Procedure. pun intended) in LR is to save as 'standard' as Geoff mentions. Each preset will have its own remembered 'standard'. To name it something else can cause unpredictable results.

Don
 
DonRicklin;32'31 said:
SOP (Standard Operating Procedure. pun intended) in LR is to save as 'standard' as Geoff mentions. Each preset will have its own remembered 'standard'. To name it something else can cause unpredictable results.

Don

Please expand on this..

Do you mean the Printer settings in the Preferences dialog should be saved and named Standard instead of My Settings?

I assumed this is what you meant and did as above..but where, and how, does LR refer to these settings such that the name of the setting would be important? It isn't actually a preset is it?
 
MMarz;32'36 said:
Please expand on this..

Do you mean the Printer settings in the Preferences dialog should be saved and named Standard instead of My Settings?

I assumed this is what you meant and did as above..but where, and how, does LR refer to these settings such that the name of the setting would be important? It isn't actually a preset is it?
Yes.

This is how we have been told to do it By Jeff Schewe (Epson Print Guru) and Adobe Techs. Whether saved as preset (best way) or for a one off, do the setting in the Print dialog and 'Standard'. Renaming will only confuse the issue. LR keeps track of the differences (especially if as a preset) if you are using a Collection which aslo saves your settings for a specific Collection.

Don
 
Don,

1) Is this specific to Epson?
2) Do you have a reference or link?

I usually print 'out-house', but I do have a crappy, but-profiled, HP all-in-one. I end up setting the printer driver specific stuff by hand every time I print.
 
Brad Snyder;32'45 said:
Don,

1) Is this specific to Epson?
2) Do you have a reference or link?

I usually print 'out-house', but I do have a crappy, but-profiled, HP all-in-one. I end up setting the printer driver specific stuff by hand every time I print.
Someone else will have to jump in on whether this is Epson only. I have only used Epson, none in house at the moment. And I know Jeff mostly speaks to Epson. Maybe John Beardsworth or Victoria would know.

This is how it was put to us on the UtoU many times in the last two years.

Don
 
Any other suggestions??

I have tried various settings and various papers and still the colors are well muted... I suppose I can recalibrate the monitor, but as far as I know this isn't the culprit..I just processed 3''+ images for a holiday slide show on HD TV and the colors were spot on.

Can paper go bad??

The Epson paper is a bit over a year old..but has been stored in a temp controlled room in it's original wrapper.

All inks are brand new.

If these are the types of prints I will be getting, I'll return the printer and apply the money to some MPix prints... these are awful.

I am getting close to this...(scanned print, a bit over muted fromthe scan, but not far off the actual print)
p34'633596-5.jpg


Instead of this...(the web version exported from LR and uploaded directly to Zenfolio..

p55'6272'4-4.jpg


Please comment on the color of the second image...I tend to view mu images on three different monitors all calibrated with Spyder calibration...they look fine on each of monitors here...as well as on the TV slide show...

HELP!!!

edit....

Did a test print with a Sample image that came with Vista...jpg, ingested into LR with no adjustments. The print was as above...a marked loss of vibrance in greens, reds and oranges. Then I printed the same image straight from Vista using Epsons defaults and the image was far less acceptable. So it seems that LR is indeed handling the color management better then if I didn't use LR, but there is still a gap between what I see on the monitor and what is rendered on paper.

The only thing I have changed is a switch from Epson paper to another brand/finish.

 
It's years since I've done any serious inkjet printing, but my initial thought - are the inks Epson inks or compatibles, as compatible inks are usually hopeless.

Bottom image looks fine, top one's grotty, as you know. I'm not so sure it's your monitor.

What happens if you set LR to 'managed by printer' and set the profile in the printer dialog instead?
 
Thanks Victoria...

It's years since I've done any serious inkjet printing, but my initial thought - are the inks Epson inks or compatibles, as compatible inks are usually hopeless.

The inks are Epson.. they are brand new, as part of the R19'' package..just treated myself to it for the holidays.

Bottom image looks fine, top one's grotty, as you know. I'm not so sure it's your monitor.

The top one is a bit more extreme than the actual print since it was scanned using a business grade scanner. If you are seeing a good image on the bottom then you are seeing what I see... This was processed from the RAW file using LR and it is the exported jpg. I rule out the monitor.

What happens if you set LR to 'managed by printer' and set the profile in the printer dialog instead?

That was actually worse than the prints I am getting when printing from LR. In order of worse to best (so far) Printing directly from Vista print dialog; Printing from LR allowing the printer to control color; Printing from LR with LR controlling the color management. It's not horrible, but I wouldn't display it.
 
I print from Lightroom with an Epson R24'' and Epson 96' both with excellent results.
I did see a washed out and slightly banded result similar to your scan one time. It was easily corrected by running a nozzle cleaning routine.
Just s thought if you have not checked yours.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top