Darker prints than screen and ink usage

I use a colormunki calibration too get my prints out correct.. but lots of people are complaining about darker prints than what is on screen...

However I know I can use the transfer function of PS to control the "ink lay down" on paper like suggested here: http://www.qdigital-imaging.com/index.php?call=gencontent&c=9&s=9&p=5

Now... my HP B9180 has an extra function hidden in the driver settings called "ink volume". Now my question: is there a better option between the 2 to use? I know there is more control in using the transfer function.. but this does not really control the ink volume used (only corrects colors.. or does it?).
Any expert opinions on this?

PS: I am interested in this matter because of pooling occurring as well on some papers I use (not recommended by HP.. but what the heck.. it is pigment printer.. so).

the problem is usually caused by a mismatch between screen brightness/luminence used during the calibration process and the actual brightness of the location where the print is viewed.

so, I would pursue that idea well before you start playing w/ ink volume/density etc.

Indeed I have done that.. but with calibration the lumination goes right up to a point where colormunki it would like to have...Now I circumvent this problem by lowering the brightness on my monitor after calibration and I am pleased with the results (when I go down down a lot, my screen starts to color).. colors are correct but that was not my initial question.

I would like to have total control on the amount of ink laid down on my papers (not HP approved papers that is) to prevent pooling or colors going wrong with every other paper (read: the paper is soaked with too lot of ink used for example with the automatic setting of "ink volume" but sometimes with other papers using the same auto settings makes the print too light...).

The ink volume setting is only with 5 levels controllable with HP.. whereas the transfer function is infinite... so what should I do to get the perfect, highest resolution print? Or is this just trial and error with every other paper I use?

Normally you use ink limit (your ink volume?) to eliminate pooling only if none of the paper types will do it. Have you tried other paper types? Those also affect total ink.

The problem with ink limit on the drivers for most printers is that it does not give you control on a per ink channel basis. When you reduce the ink limit it reduces it for all colors even if it was only pooling on black say. Thus you lose gamut you didn't have to lose.

Rips give you control over ink limit on a per channel basis which works better, but rips are expensive

You would usually not try to avoid pooling using photoshop except as a last resort because you cannot directly control the real inks used by the printer from within photoshop. You can only control the 'virtual' Red Green and Blue that the driver sees as input. The red green and blue values are not parallel to the actual ink laid down. Its sort of like hitting a nail with a hammer at the wrong angle and expecting it to go in straight.

George

HenkL said:

Indeed I have done that.. but with calibration the lumination goes
right up to a point where colormunki it would like to have...Now I
circumvent this problem by lowering the brightness on my monitor
after calibration and I am pleased with the results (when I go down
down a lot, my screen starts to color).. colors are correct but that
was not my initial question.

I would like to have total control on the amount of ink laid down on
my papers (not HP approved papers that is) to prevent pooling or
colors going wrong with every other paper (read: the paper is soaked
with too lot of ink used for example with the automatic setting of
"ink volume" but sometimes with other papers using the same auto
settings makes the print too light...).
The ink volume setting is only with 5 levels controllable with HP..
whereas the transfer function is infinite... so what should I do to
get the perfect, highest resolution print? Or is this just trial and
error with every other paper I use?

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