Need some help choosing a printer for professional quality prints. I'm currently using a multi-function Canon MP530, my monitor is calibrated and I'm using the Canon MP530 SP2 profile for printing but colors are slightly off from what I am viewing in Lightroom. I am assuming the slight color shift is a result of the printer and am looking to possibly replace the MP530? Do I need to upgrade my printer? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
If your current printer meets your needs for all aspects except for the color shift, I suggest that you have someone make a custom printer profile for you.
I should point our that an image on a monitor and the printed image are two different critters. Despite having a very accurate color management system, there will always be minor differences between what you see on the screen and what you see in the print. You have to judge if the print meets your expectations, regardless of what the image looks like on your monitor.
If your prints aren't working for you, try profiling the printer as mentioned above. If, after using a custom profile your prints aren't making the grade, it may be time to look for new printer.
As Preston notes, if you're pleased with your prints now, then you're OK. There is always a slight difference between transmissive and reflective media regarding a pure color match.
Desiring 'professional quality' prints is another matter entirely.
If you truly want 'professional quality' prints, then the MP530 all-in-one device isn't going to cut it, primarily because it uses only four color inks (incl. black).
Most better 'professional quality' printers now have at least six to eight color inks in order to print the largest color gamut possible.
And once you have your new printer, it still does not mean your prints will match your screen. Depends how "professional" you want to get. There is a brand new calibration tool out that simplifies calibrating your monitor AND your printer that you can do yourself. (There are others out there that do this but may cost more and may be harder to use). It will cost you about $450. There is a process you follow for each of your types of paper. And if what works great for nature shots does not work great for the skin tone portraits, then you can modify it for the skin tone or just about any color in your image. It even has software to help you decide on which color matte will complement the colors in your image. It sounds great, but I have not tried it. Anyone bought and used this product yet? I am seriously thinking of switching my calibrater to this product. It is called the "ColorMonki" by Xrite and among other places, can be found at B&H online. Worth taking a look at after you get over its name and price tag!
The problem is not with the printer per se, but the workflow. To be as accurate as possible, you must first start with a properly profiled monitor. Then you have to go on to profile the printer/ink/paper combination. Lastly, you must view your prints under controlled (color corrected) lighting.
Paper/ink combination will have a profound effect on color. The reflectivity of the paper surface, the paper's ability to absorb color, whether the paper employs brighteners (that will give prints a blue cast if not compensated for in the profiling process), and the printer driver's settings for how it lays the ink on the paper (dithering) and how much ink is delivered to the surface (media settings) will all affect the colors you will see. Lastly a print that looks good under standard incandescent lighting will look really strange under daylight or flourescent light.
I have been using Print Fix Pro with monitor calibration with a great deal of success. I have also found that with the manufacturer's printer profiles and their own paper, you can come pretty close to ideal, however the generated profiles offer a bit more accuracy and "tweakability." If you decide that you want different paper, I can recommend Ilford Gallerie Classic Pearl for dye based printers - it has great tonal range, a beautiful surface with very even reflectivity, and it is fairly cost effective. A 100 sheet box can be found for around $40.
Discussion
6 repliesIf your current printer meets your needs for all aspects except for the color shift, I suggest that you have someone make a custom printer profile for you.
I should point our that an image on a monitor and the printed image are two different critters. Despite having a very accurate color management system, there will always be minor differences between what you see on the screen and what you see in the print. You have to judge if the print meets your expectations, regardless of what the image looks like on your monitor.
If your prints aren't working for you, try profiling the printer as mentioned above. If, after using a custom profile your prints aren't making the grade, it may be time to look for new printer.
-PB
Desiring 'professional quality' prints is another matter entirely.
If you truly want 'professional quality' prints, then the MP530 all-in-one device isn't going to cut it, primarily because it uses only four color inks (incl. black).
Most better 'professional quality' printers now have at least six to eight color inks in order to print the largest color gamut possible.
Troup Nightingale
- Drew
Paper/ink combination will have a profound effect on color. The reflectivity of the paper surface, the paper's ability to absorb color, whether the paper employs brighteners (that will give prints a blue cast if not compensated for in the profiling process), and the printer driver's settings for how it lays the ink on the paper (dithering) and how much ink is delivered to the surface (media settings) will all affect the colors you will see. Lastly a print that looks good under standard incandescent lighting will look really strange under daylight or flourescent light.
I have been using Print Fix Pro with monitor calibration with a great deal of success. I have also found that with the manufacturer's printer profiles and their own paper, you can come pretty close to ideal, however the generated profiles offer a bit more accuracy and "tweakability." If you decide that you want different paper, I can recommend Ilford Gallerie Classic Pearl for dye based printers - it has great tonal range, a beautiful surface with very even reflectivity, and it is fairly cost effective. A 100 sheet box can be found for around $40.