Default Printer Problem – Epson 9800 and 9900

OK. I attended the Epson Academy meeting in Chicago yesterday – -and I learned several new things.

None of the Epson speakers, however, ever heard about an issue that is my problem:

Blacks are blocking up on my 9800 used with MK. I am printing on Somerset Velvet for Epson.

I am using an Intel MacPro with OS 10.5.6 – and Photoshop CS4. I have a new Epson 9900 on a USB line – and my old 9800 on a Firewire connection.

I posted earlier that my 9800 is now dedicated as an MK printer (I gave my 9600 to an art department).

My new 9900 is designated as the DEFAULT printer – on the MacPro with OS 10.5.6 – and Photoshop CS4.

When I send a print to the 9800 (not designated as the default printer) – it appears to ignore my profiles – and prints huge BLACK areas where there should be detail – and some grays.

I sent the same file to my 9900 – after switching it to MK from PK – and the print was perfect – matched my profiled monitor exactly – and was the same as a previous print done with MK on the 9600.

So – today I am back in the studio and doing some research – and some experiments (putting my science Ph.D to work).

At the suggestion of Epson’s people yesterday, I reloaded the print driver (from Epson) for the 9800.

I then Used Print-Fax (on the Mac – system preferences) to delete the 9800 from my list – and then re-added it (it is on a firewire link).

I made another print – and (drum roll…) it is still filled with Blocked-Up Blacks.

And so, I did the test that I mentioned doing earlier here:

I went back to Print-Fax – and I designated the 9800 as the DEFAULT printer.

I then made another print and (more drum rolls…..) – the print is PERFECT – matches the print from my old 9600 and the new 9900 with MK.

So – the problem is that under OS 10.5.6 – and with an Intel MacPro – and with Photoshop CS4 – the 9800 MUST BE SELECTED AS THE DEFAULT PRINTER.

My next test is to send the same file to my 9900 – with MK – with the 9900 NOT designated as the default (leaving the 9800 in that role).

I want to be able to have both printers working (as in actually printing) at the same time so that I can keep up with Fine Art and canvas jobs.

Will I have to switch the Default-Designated Printer for each job ? What will happen if I de-select the 9800 while it is printing???

Stay tuned.

In my former life, as a professor, I could apply for federal grants to do my research. Maybe I should send a bill to someone for ink, paper, and time.

There is a problem here- but it could be Epson, Apple, or Adobe at this point.

Dick Sjolund

<http://www.wilderness-studio.com>