printing in Photoshop CS and then in CS2

[BHP517]

Here's a problem for those savvy CS users - I am printing images in Adobe Photoshop CS that look pretty much like the monitor representation. Then the same file opened in CS2 will print much darker even though it looks perfect on the same monitor as the image printed in CS. Why is this happening?

Thanks in advance for the support!
--
BHP517

 

[Ed Ingold]

I get perfect prints from Photoshop CS2, on an Epson 2200, using Epson profiles (and ink). The problem is not with Photoshop.

Is your monitor calibrated and profiled? What printer and profile are you using? How is the profile applied? What driver settings do you use? Where do you think you are messing up?

 

[Cecil Williams]

Do a save for web and save a .JPG copy of this image from CS2. Now open that JPG image with another viewing program (I suggest Irfanview as that's what I use). Is the image too dark on your screen now? When I have an image that looks good in CS2 but looks too dark saved as a JPG and viewed in Irfanview, I know that it will also print too dark. The cause is incorrectly profiling the image in PSCS2. I'm not smart enough to tell you the specifics of it. Either your PSCS2 is set to not assign a profile to the image, or it's assigning a wrong profile, or something like that. I don't ever have this problem with RAW or JPG images from my digital camera. I assign them as sRGB from the start and they print out looking just like the image on my monitor.

I've seen this problem from time to time with some of my old film image scans and occasionally with other misc images from random sources... Maybe one of the rocket scientists here can give the exact details. Extra credit will be given for eschewing obfuscation in the process...

• Cecil

 

[Ed Ingold]

I shall eschew obfuscation. CS2 prints the same as CS, only the "Print with preview" menu is entered differently. If CS2 doesn't work for you, you probably aren't using CS correctly either.

1) Calibrate your monitor, preferably with an hardware device like Monaco Optix or Gretag-MacBeth Eye One. In a pinch, you can use Adobe Gamma to make midrange adjustments.

2) The working space of your image must agree with the working space of Photoshop. You must either use the image working space, or convert to the default Photoshop space. Adobe RGB (1998) is a good choice for the default.

3) Disable color adjustments in the Epson driver. Check the box "Use ICM" or something to that effect. Also check the box below it "Disable color control" or something to that effect.

4) In the Photoshop print dialogue box, select "Let Photoshop determine the colors". Just below, select the print profile for that printer, paper, setting (e.g., 2880 dpi) and inkjet. You can download accurate printer profiles from Epson and other paper manufacturers.

5) Get a copy of "Adobe Photoshop CS2 for Photographers" by Martin Evening.

 

[Rik Farmer]

Ed,

Quick question only, as I use Canons, not Epsons any more. Para 3 of your obfuscation-free reply (love your choice of that phrase), you say check the box "Use ICM". To achieve the desired result in the Canon setup, that box has to be unchecked. Is that a typo, or is my ignorance quotient showing through?

Regards,

Rik

 

[Ed Ingold]

I'm not personally familiar with Canon printers, and I have no way of checking. Follow what instructions you have from Canon. If you can't turn Canon color control off, set it to as neutral position as possible. Photoshop will apply its profile before sending the data, regardless of the printer settings. The profile author may have specific instructions.

I don't find any profiles listed on the Canon site (strange), but they may be packed with the installation package. The Ilford site has profiles for many Canon printers. I like Ilford paper, especially the "Smooth Pearl" surface, and get excellent results with my Epson 2200. For a dye-based printer you must use "Classic" papers. The "Smooth" papers have a ceramic coating for quick drying of pigment-based inks, but cause rapid fading of dye inks due to atmospheric ozone.

The last, and possibly the best alternative is to create a custom profile. This is done by some third parties, or using professional versions of Monaco or Gretag-MacBeth (e.g., Eye One Photo). I have the latter, and it is highly effective.

 

[Rik Farmer]

Ed

Thanks. I'm OK with everything on the Canons, but just found it odd that Canon needs the ICM off and Epson needs it on.

Just another quirk in the grand saga of profiling, I guess.

Agree with you re Ilford.

Rik

 

[Laslo Varadi]

In the print dialog box in Print with preview in the printer properties dialog box in the color management section the ICM button is checked but then below the ICC/ICM Profile is set to Off. This is so that the printer driver does not duplicate or interfer with the Photoshop's control of the color management. At least that is my understanding after a day with the printer. It took about eight premium glossy sheets and I got the last 2 right (to my eye any way)

Laslo
--
lv1
http://laslo.smugmug.com