My print color matching is painfully inaccurate. Prints are dark on all papers (luster and matte). Color match seems to have degraded with printer use or software changes. I believe that I have correct CS3 and print settings. I use Epson provided profiles that match my printer and papers. I use an lcd monitor calibrated with an original Spyder.
Others report 2200 problems similar to mine. I have resorted to setting ink config, color density -20. With this kludge, matching is better but far from perfect.
Question: I am considering both color calibration or printer upgrade to e.g. Epson 3800. The salesperson at Keeble and Shuchat in Palo Alto recommended the printer upgrade. He suggested that a standard profile with the more consistent 3800 hardware would fix my problems and is the best investment. I do wish that I had a 17" carriage and cheaper ink, but I am a bit reluctant to spend the money. The 2200 should be servicable as use has not been heavy.
For print calibration, I am considering Colorvision Printfix pro suite (incl. Sypder2). It appears that creating profiles will be tedious, but I am desperate for predictable results. I also wish to use non-Epson papers.
Should I bite the bullet and upgrade my printer? Should I buy print calibration hardware? Do I need both? Will the calibration hardware be needed for a future printer?
Any experience or suggestions appreciated.
Thanks,
Mike.
Posted by Keith Bauer on September 8, 2007 at 9:00 PM
Hi Mike:
I can't quite tell from your post, but if you are not calibrating your monitor, that is the first place to start. I've been using my Epson 2200 for a number of years and have excellent results with color accuracy. I calibrate my monitor regularly, I use profiles from the paper manufacturer (primarily Moab papers), make sure that Photoshop is set to "No Color Adjustment" in the print dialog. I'm sure there are many other folks here with more experience, but those simple steps get me very very close on each and every print.
I have calibrated my monitor with the first generation Spyder. I do not currently believe that monitor calibration is the primary cause of my problem. I will recalibrate my monitor and investigate again in more detail.
Photoshop is set to "No Color Adjustment". I am primarily using Epson enhanced matte and premium lustre. I also use Hahnemuhle photo rag. None of my profiles for these papers work well at this time. I tune 4*6 prints endlessly before final printing.
Mike.
Posted by David Prichard on September 10, 2007 at 11:26 AM
Mike,
I'm experiencing similar problems with my Epson 2200 under CS3. I'm getting off centre prints and having to alter the density to about -15. I've re-installed the Epson driver to no effect.
In researching the problems it would seem some 2200 users have no problems with others beset with difficulties.
At my wits end, can't afford a new printer at the moment, I may follow the example of some others and print through CS2. If you come across a solution please let me know!
Posted by Mike DiVita on September 10, 2007 at 2:52 PM
Mike,
I have the same centering issue with CS3 and my 2200. Abode has a fix which I have not tried: http://kb.adobe.com/selfservice/viewContent.do?externalId=kb402021&sliceId=1
Also check out: http://www.adobeforums.com/cgi-bin/webx/.3bc43ac8
If you search the adobe forums there are a lot of people complaining about a green cast on the 2200. It looks like it's mainly for people running on Vista. I'm on XP and have not had any color issues.
I've also tried Printfix when it first came out and yes it's tedious to the point that I returned it. I've used Cathy's Profiles with very good results.
Mike
Posted by PHEROLD on September 10, 2007 at 3:13 PM
Hi Mike,
The original Spyder was not a very good instrument - especially for calibrating LCD's. So I would not depend on it if I were you. The Spyder 2 is much better. That said, the monitor calibration by itself won't make your printer print poorly, of course.
We usually like to see people using Photoshop to handle the color profiling, and turn off any color management in the driver, instead of the other way around.
You should of course check that the nozzles are all printing perfectly, that you're using the same print settings (media type, etc.) that you used before.
We have an article that has been very popular that goes through a whole checklist of things to pursue to get your monitor to match your printer. This is a good place to start: http://www.colorwiki.com/wiki/Printer_to_Match_my_Screen
I've noticed that others are having similar problems as well. I do not think that we all have incorrect printer settings or poorly calibrated monitors. Someting else is going on. I will post if I figure it out.
MIke, Thanks for the leads. I will check them out.
Patrick,
I know that my original spyder is not too good. I will upgrade. My printing problems seem to be more severe that just monitor calibration.
Discussion
6 repliesOthers report 2200 problems similar to mine. I have resorted to setting ink config, color density -20. With this kludge, matching is better but far from perfect.
Question: I am considering both color calibration or printer upgrade to e.g. Epson 3800. The salesperson at Keeble and Shuchat in Palo Alto recommended the printer upgrade. He suggested that a standard profile with the more consistent 3800 hardware would fix my problems and is the best investment. I do wish that I had a 17" carriage and cheaper ink, but I am a bit reluctant to spend the money. The 2200 should be servicable as use has not been heavy.
For print calibration, I am considering Colorvision Printfix pro suite (incl. Sypder2). It appears that creating profiles will be tedious, but I am desperate for predictable results. I also wish to use non-Epson papers.
Should I bite the bullet and upgrade my printer? Should I buy print calibration hardware? Do I need both? Will the calibration hardware be needed for a future printer?
Any experience or suggestions appreciated.
Thanks,
Mike.
I can't quite tell from your post, but if you are not calibrating your monitor, that is the first place to start. I've been using my Epson 2200 for a number of years and have excellent results with color accuracy. I calibrate my monitor regularly, I use profiles from the paper manufacturer (primarily Moab papers), make sure that Photoshop is set to "No Color Adjustment" in the print dialog. I'm sure there are many other folks here with more experience, but those simple steps get me very very close on each and every print.
Thanks for the reply.
I have calibrated my monitor with the first generation Spyder. I do not currently believe that monitor calibration is the primary cause of my problem. I will recalibrate my monitor and investigate again in more detail.
Photoshop is set to "No Color Adjustment". I am primarily using Epson enhanced matte and premium lustre. I also use Hahnemuhle photo rag. None of my profiles for these papers work well at this time. I tune 4*6 prints endlessly before final printing.
Mike.
I'm experiencing similar problems with my Epson 2200 under CS3. I'm getting off centre prints and having to alter the density to about -15. I've re-installed the Epson driver to no effect.
In researching the problems it would seem some 2200 users have no problems with others beset with difficulties.
At my wits end, can't afford a new printer at the moment, I may follow the example of some others and print through CS2. If you come across a solution please let me know!
I have the same centering issue with CS3 and my 2200. Abode has a fix which I have not tried: http://kb.adobe.com/selfservice/viewContent.do?externalId=kb402021&sliceId=1
Also check out: http://www.adobeforums.com/cgi-bin/webx/.3bc43ac8
If you search the adobe forums there are a lot of people complaining about a green cast on the 2200. It looks like it's mainly for people running on Vista. I'm on XP and have not had any color issues.
I've also tried Printfix when it first came out and yes it's tedious to the point that I returned it. I've used Cathy's Profiles with very good results.
Mike
The original Spyder was not a very good instrument - especially for calibrating LCD's. So I would not depend on it if I were you. The Spyder 2 is much better. That said, the monitor calibration by itself won't make your printer print poorly, of course.
We usually like to see people using Photoshop to handle the color profiling, and turn off any color management in the driver, instead of the other way around.
You should of course check that the nozzles are all printing perfectly, that you're using the same print settings (media type, etc.) that you used before.
We have an article that has been very popular that goes through a whole checklist of things to pursue to get your monitor to match your printer. This is a good place to start:
http://www.colorwiki.com/wiki/Printer_to_Match_my_Screen
Dave,
I've noticed that others are having similar problems as well. I do not think that we all have incorrect printer settings or poorly calibrated monitors. Someting else is going on. I will post if I figure it out.
MIke, Thanks for the leads. I will check them out.
Patrick,
I know that my original spyder is not too good. I will upgrade. My printing problems seem to be more severe that just monitor calibration.
Again, thanks for all advice,