We don't post much printer news, but this is significant, especially for digital photographers trying to match colour between what they see on their computer screen and what comes out of the printer. Epson recently released new ColorLife paper, the new "Custom 1440" ICC profiles for the Epson Stylus Photo 870 / 875DC / 1270 printers with the ColorLife Paper. Interstingly the release notes that "These ICC profiles were developed by EPSON America, Inc. using GretagMacbeth ProfileMaker 3.1 Professional software, along with a GretagMacbeth SpectroScan Spectrophotometer."

Click here to download 1440 ICC Profile for ColorLife Paper
(Windows EXE, Mac users can drag this file to Stuffit Expander)

Readme file contents:

These ICC profiles were developed by EPSON America, Inc. using GretagMacbeth ProfileMaker 3.1 Professional software along with a GretagMacbeth SpectroScan Spectrophotometer. Although these ICC profiles are made with the highest level of accuracy, please note that individual characteristics of each printer (model) produced may produce slightly different color than the production unit used for creating these specific ICC profiles.

Follow these steps to apply the profile:

1. Open your application and click Print in the File menu. You see your application’s print dialog box.
    
2. Click the Properties button. (If you see a Setup, Printer, or Options button, click it. Then click Properties on the next screen.)
    
3. Click the Main tab and select Photo Quality Glossy Film as the Media Type.
    
4. Click Custom and then click Advanced to open the Advanced settings menu.
    
5. Choose No Color Adjustment under Color Management.
    
6. Select either Photo - 1440dpi or Photo - 2880dpi (if available) as the Print Quality setting, then click OK.
    
7. Click OK to save your printer software settings and return to your application’s print dialog box.
    
8. In your application’s print dialog box, choose the Epson xxxx ColorLife 1440 2 profile from the Output Profile, Space, or Print Space Profile menu and uncheck the Printer Color Management box (if available).
    
   Note: The profile name appears different than the file name that you copied to the folder for ICM or ColorSync profiles. The profile name is displayed as Epson xxxx ColorLife 1440 2.
    
9. Click OK to print your image.

Many applications do not support custom profiles, so check your application’s manual or help system for instructions on applying a custom profile.