Printer colors all crazy now

404 views6 repliesLast post: 3/5/2009
for years I used Epson r1800 on printer management
it usually matches the monitor image quite well
I had not had any success using adobe color mgmt in the past

the images I am printing are sRGB and now they don't match at all they are too dark and cool (bluish)
If I change the monitor to the match the printer then all of my files will look bad on screen
changing the printer setting did not seem to change the actual prints

what to do??
#1
Kat, the 1st thing I would do is to try printing from another application to see if the problem is just with Photoshop or with your computer or printer.

Geoff.
#2
KatWoman,
I'm sure the last thing you want to do is change monitor to match prints. Bad move. Have you done a test to see if you have a clogged print head? Other possibility is that you have unknowingly changed you printer settings.
Q
#3
It sounds like you are using an uncalibrated monitor or do not understand how to apply color management. If you are using an uncalibrated LCD monitor that alone can explain the problems you are having.
Even an inexpensive calibration device like the Huey will do a reasonably good job of matching color per se from monitor to print if you also use the appropriate settings in your printer driver.
If you use an LCD panel it is more likely than not that even with calibration your prints will appear too dark, because calibration devices and software seem unable to compensate for the ridiculous brightness of consumer grade LCD panels which only work properly when the backlighting is full on bright. There are alternative technologies in more expensive panels that are not so problematic.
However there are easy work arounds to make fixed brightness adjustments to prints just prior to printing even with lowly Apple Imac LCDs (which are generally the cheapest of the cheap despite Apple prices). My best work around is to examine the print on my one remaining calibrated CRT and print off that if I want best results.
#4
After doing your nozzle check if you still have the problem, post screen shots of your color settings and print dialog setting. It's entirely possible that one setting was overlooked (way too easy to do) and someone here can spot it.
#5
Hi KW, Good suggestions from others, particularly Geoff's suggestion that you print from another program to see if Photoshop is the source of the problem or not. If not, my guess would be that someone has changed the paper type or gamma value selected in the printer driver.
#6
Thanks everyone I was working all day witha design client I will have time tomorrow to mess around with the printer also got a new batch of ink via UPS today
will report back with screenshots and results etc.
#7