Any Canon imagePROGRAF iPF6400 Users?

[jeegunkim]

I'm about to paint the wall with my brains.

I've been having several issues with my iPF6400 for the past couple days and I am hoping someone can help,

I am running Mac OS X El Capitan v10.11.5 with Adobe CC with the iPF plugin for PS that Canon supplies via USB from Mac to the printer.

The printer has always ran fine and it has sat for a while as I haven't really been able to work on photography for a bit.

I finally got some 8.5x11's, a 24" roll and replaced all the depleted ink tanks yesterday and started running test proofs on the 8.5x11.

The printer was functioning fine but every proof was coming out really distorted.

I proceeded to clean the heads (both A & B) and I also saw that Canon had released a firmware and plugin update.

I went ahead and updated both firmware on the printer and the plugin on my Mac and now I can't print. Once I export an image to the plugin and hit print, PS just crashes. I've been on the phone with both Adobe and Canon for the past 2 days trying to figure this out and have had no luck. Uninstalled/reinstalled PS and the plugin multiple times, no luck. I got it to the point where PS wouldn't crash anymore but it still will not print.

I've ran tests from support with Adobe and Canon on printing from another application, printed from Preview and the printer functioned. Printed from PS (without going through the plugin) and the printer functioned.

Canon suggested I try setting up another user on my Mac and try running a print again, I was successful in printing 2 proofs (with the same distortion) and on the third, same issue and it won't print.

I switched back to my normal user and now PS is back to just crashing again.

From what I can tell, it looks like PS and the plugin is not communicating as once I press print, the printer does not receive the data.

If anyone can shed some light or give me some direction, it would really help me out.

THANKS!

 

[JKSphoto]

Hey jeegunkim!

Sorry you are having so much trouble with your 6400. Can you post a pic of the 'distortion' you are referring to? It's hard to diagnose w/o seeing the print. Banding, color casts, image morphing all mean different things.

Thanks!

Jessie

Jessica Kenyon Studio

 

[jeegunkim]

Hi Jessie,

Thanks for your reply!

I'll take a couple photos of the proofs and post them up tonight.

Checked out your stuff, awesome work BTW.

Thanks!

 

[jeegunkim]

Hi Jess,

Been busy and haven't had a chance to take some quick flicks of the proofs yet but I wanted to ask you, what are your file specs when printing 8.5x11's on your iPF6400? Right now, I have mine as a .tif file, 2700x1800 @ 300PPi, CMYK Color - you see anything that I should adjust?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Hugowolf]

Hi Jess,

Been busy and haven't had a chance to take some quick flicks of the proofs yet but I wanted to ask you, what are your file specs when printing 8.5x11's on your iPF6400? Right now, I have mine as a .tif file, 2700x1800 @ 300PPi, CMYK Color -

I don't know what you would be doing in CMYK, it is a RGB printer.

you see anything that I should adjust?

Thanks in advance!

I haven't seen anything. Have you posted anything to look at? What do you mean by 'distorted'? Color distorted, dimensions distorted, tonality distorted?

Brian A

 

[jeegunkim]

Hi Jess,

Been busy and haven't had a chance to take some quick flicks of the proofs yet but I wanted to ask you, what are your file specs when printing 8.5x11's on your iPF6400? Right now, I have mine as a .tif file, 2700x1800 @ 300PPi, CMYK Color -

I don't know what you would be doing in CMYK, it is a RGB printer.

you see anything that I should adjust?

Thanks in advance!

I haven't seen anything. Have you posted anything to look at? What do you mean by 'distorted'? Color distorted, dimensions distorted, tonality distorted?

Brian A

Hey Brian,

No pics yet but hanks for the feedback.

I've been printing on CMYK for all my 24" wide prints and they come out great. I'll try experimenting with RGB and see if that would do the trick.

Distortion wise, its the actual image itself. It almost looks out of focus when its really not. I've tested it on other photos as well and all come out the same.

If any advice, let me know.

Thanks!

 

[JKSphoto]

Hey Brian,

No pics yet but hanks for the feedback.

I've been printing on CMYK for all my 24" wide prints and they come out great. I'll try experimenting with RGB and see if that would do the trick.

Distortion wise, its the actual image itself. It almost looks out of focus when its really not. I've tested it on other photos as well and all come out the same.

If any advice, let me know.

Thanks!

Hi jeegunkim,

I print in RGB on the 6400. Not sure if switching form CMYK to RGB would make a difference.

Are you resizing your photos in photoshop before printing? If so, it may be an issue with how you are resampling your image. This could cause blur.

I can't think of any printer specific reasons a photo would be fuzzy. When parts of my photos are out of focus, it's usually due to motion blur or using a macro lens (part of image is out of focus on purpose).

Good luck!

 

[jeegunkim]

Hi jeegunkim,

I print in RGB on the 6400. Not sure if switching form CMYK to RGB would make a difference.

Are you resizing your photos in photoshop before printing? If so, it may be an issue with how you are resampling your image. This could cause blur.

I can't think of any printer specific reasons a photo would be fuzzy. When parts of my photos are out of focus, it's usually due to motion blur or using a macro lens (part of image is out of focus on purpose).

Good luck!

Sweeeeet!

I switched the 8.5x11 files to RGB and it seems to be printing fine now. Do you know if the files need to be in a format other than .tif? I've been printing .jpg's and it seems fine....

I wonder why the CMYK on 24" rolls print out fine? I'm going to have to try an RGB on a larger format and see how it comes out.

Let me know, thanks!

 

[Hugowolf]

Hi jeegunkim,

I print in RGB on the 6400. Not sure if switching form CMYK to RGB would make a difference.

Are you resizing your photos in photoshop before printing? If so, it may be an issue with how you are resampling your image. This could cause blur.

I can't think of any printer specific reasons a photo would be fuzzy. When parts of my photos are out of focus, it's usually due to motion blur or using a macro lens (part of image is out of focus on purpose).

Good luck!

Sweeeeet!

...

I wonder why the CMYK on 24" rolls print out fine?

Pure chance I would reckon. It is an RGB printer; the files should be RGB. AdobeRGB, sRGB, ProPhotRGB, but definately RGB.

Brian A

 

[digidog]

Hey Brian,

No pics yet but hanks for the feedback.

I've been printing on CMYK for all my 24" wide prints and they come out great. I'll try experimenting with RGB and see if that would do the trick.

Distortion wise, its the actual image itself. It almost looks out of focus when its really not. I've tested it on other photos as well and all come out the same.

If any advice, let me know.

Thanks!

Hi jeegunkim,

I print in RGB on the 6400. Not sure if switching form CMYK to RGB would make a difference.

It would indeed!

The Canon like the Epson inkjet is a CMYK (or if you want to get specific and depending on the printer, CcMmYK and perhaps Orange, Green etc) device.

GDI and QuickDraw print drivers demand RGB data so they can do their own internal, proprietary conversions in the driver to CMYKplus. If you send such drivers CMYK, it will convert it, very poorly back to RGB and the output will be pretty awful.

One can send CMYK data to either printer, but you'll need another type of print driver that understands this color model (what many incorrectly call a RIP).

The ONLY reason to send CMYK to such a printer is for proofing or what's called cross rendering. IOW, make my Epson/Canon proof another (press perhaps) CMYK output. Here is where having a driver that can accept CMYK data (maybe a RIP, maybe not) is necessary.

Otherwise, send RGB data to such printers. The wider the gamut, the better!

The benefits of wide gamut working spaces on printed output:

This three part, 32 minute video covers why a wide gamut RGB working space like ProPhoto RGB can produce superior quality output to print.

Part 1 discusses how the supplied Gamut Test File was created and shows two prints output to an Epson 3880 using ProPhoto RGB and sRGB, how the deficiencies of sRGB gamut affects final output quality. Part 1 discusses what to look for on your own prints in terms of better color output. It also covers Photoshop’s Assign Profile command and how wide gamut spaces mishandled produce dull or over saturated colors due to user error.

Part 2 goes into detail about how to print two versions of the properly converted Gamut Test File file in Photoshop using Photoshop’s Print command to correctly setup the test files for output. It covers the Convert to Profile command for preparing test files for output to a lab.

Part 3 goes into color theory and illustrates why a wide gamut space produces not only move vibrant and saturated color but detail and color separation compared to a small gamut working space like sRGB.

High Resolution Video: http://digitaldog.net/files/WideGamutPrintVideo.mov

Low Resolution (YouTube):

--
Andrew Rodney
Author: Color Management for Photographers
The Digital Dog
http://www.digitaldog.net

 

[jtoolman]

Hi jeegunkim,

I print in RGB on the 6400. Not sure if switching form CMYK to RGB would make a difference.

Are you resizing your photos in photoshop before printing? If so, it may be an issue with how you are resampling your image. This could cause blur.

I can't think of any printer specific reasons a photo would be fuzzy. When parts of my photos are out of focus, it's usually due to motion blur or using a macro lens (part of image is out of focus on purpose).

Good luck!

Sweeeeet!

I switched the 8.5x11 files to RGB and it seems to be printing fine now. Do you know if the files need to be in a format other than .tif? I've been printing .jpg's and it seems fine....

I wonder why the CMYK on 24" rolls print out fine? I'm going to have to try an RGB on a larger format and see how it comes out.

Let me know, thanks!

Just curious as to WHY IN THE HECK are you printing in CMYK mode? Unless you are printing out of a 4 color press! Which or course you are not! RGB only!

Joe

 

[jeegunkim]

It would indeed!

The Canon like the Epson inkjet is a CMYK (or if you want to get specific and depending on the printer, CcMmYK and perhaps Orange, Green etc) device.

GDI and QuickDraw print drivers demand RGB data so they can do their own internal, proprietary conversions in the driver to CMYKplus. If you send such drivers CMYK, it will convert it, very poorly back to RGB and the output will be pretty awful.

One can send CMYK data to either printer, but you'll need another type of print driver that understands this color model (what many incorrectly call a RIP).

The ONLY reason to send CMYK to such a printer is for proofing or what's called cross rendering. IOW, make my Epson/Canon proof another (press perhaps) CMYK output. Here is where having a driver that can accept CMYK data (maybe a RIP, maybe not) is necessary.

Otherwise, send RGB data to such printers. The wider the gamut, the better!

The benefits of wide gamut working spaces on printed output:

This three part, 32 minute video covers why a wide gamut RGB working space like ProPhoto RGB can produce superior quality output to print.

Part 1 discusses how the supplied Gamut Test File was created and shows two prints output to an Epson 3880 using ProPhoto RGB and sRGB, how the deficiencies of sRGB gamut affects final output quality. Part 1 discusses what to look for on your own prints in terms of better color output. It also covers Photoshop’s Assign Profile command and how wide gamut spaces mishandled produce dull or over saturated colors due to user error.

Part 2 goes into detail about how to print two versions of the properly converted Gamut Test File file in Photoshop using Photoshop’s Print command to correctly setup the test files for output. It covers the Convert to Profile command for preparing test files for output to a lab.

Part 3 goes into color theory and illustrates why a wide gamut space produces not only move vibrant and saturated color but detail and color separation compared to a small gamut working space like sRGB.

High Resolution Video: http://digitaldog.net/files/WideGamutPrintVideo.mov

Low Resolution (YouTube):

Hey Andrew,

Thanks for taking the time to write this post and for the vid. I def watched until the last part to get more technical info. I definitely experimented with ProPhoto RGB and can see the difference in range of color gamut.

It is very strange because I have been printing only in CMYK on 24" rolls since I got the printer and it always printed fine. The printer sat for a few months without any use and a couple weeks ago I decided to start printing 8.5x11's and seem to just keep running into issues. PS would just crash when I try printing CMYK files on 8.5x11 but seems to be working fine when I switch them over to RGB. Now I am experiencing blurry photos on the prints but when examining them on my Mac, they don't seem to be blurry.

Let me know your thoughts.

Anyone that can chime in and shed some light would help me out.

Thanks!

 

[digidog]

It would indeed!

The Canon like the Epson inkjet is a CMYK (or if you want to get specific and depending on the printer, CcMmYK and perhaps Orange, Green etc) device.

GDI and QuickDraw print drivers demand RGB data so they can do their own internal, proprietary conversions in the driver to CMYKplus. If you send such drivers CMYK, it will convert it, very poorly back to RGB and the output will be pretty awful.

One can send CMYK data to either printer, but you'll need another type of print driver that understands this color model (what many incorrectly call a RIP).

The ONLY reason to send CMYK to such a printer is for proofing or what's called cross rendering. IOW, make my Epson/Canon proof another (press perhaps) CMYK output. Here is where having a driver that can accept CMYK data (maybe a RIP, maybe not) is necessary.

Otherwise, send RGB data to such printers. The wider the gamut, the better!

The benefits of wide gamut working spaces on printed output:

This three part, 32 minute video covers why a wide gamut RGB working space like ProPhoto RGB can produce superior quality output to print.

Part 1 discusses how the supplied Gamut Test File was created and shows two prints output to an Epson 3880 using ProPhoto RGB and sRGB, how the deficiencies of sRGB gamut affects final output quality. Part 1 discusses what to look for on your own prints in terms of better color output. It also covers Photoshop’s Assign Profile command and how wide gamut spaces mishandled produce dull or over saturated colors due to user error.

Part 2 goes into detail about how to print two versions of the properly converted Gamut Test File file in Photoshop using Photoshop’s Print command to correctly setup the test files for output. It covers the Convert to Profile command for preparing test files for output to a lab.

Part 3 goes into color theory and illustrates why a wide gamut space produces not only move vibrant and saturated color but detail and color separation compared to a small gamut working space like sRGB.

High Resolution Video: http://digitaldog.net/files/WideGamutPrintVideo.mov

Low Resolution (YouTube):

Hey Andrew,

Thanks for taking the time to write this post and for the vid. I def watched until the last part to get more technical info. I definitely experimented with ProPhoto RGB and can see the difference in range of color gamut.

It is very strange because I have been printing only in CMYK on 24" rolls since I got the printer and it always printed fine. The printer sat for a few months without any use and a couple weeks ago I decided to start printing 8.5x11's and seem to just keep running into issues. PS would just crash when I try printing CMYK files on 8.5x11 but seems to be working fine when I switch them over to RGB. Now I am experiencing blurry photos on the prints but when examining them on my Mac, they don't seem to be blurry.

Let me know your thoughts.

Run tests using a color reference file like this:

http://www.digitaldog.net/files/2014PrinterTestFileFlat.tif.zip

 

[jeegunkim]

It would indeed!

The Canon like the Epson inkjet is a CMYK (or if you want to get specific and depending on the printer, CcMmYK and perhaps Orange, Green etc) device.

GDI and QuickDraw print drivers demand RGB data so they can do their own internal, proprietary conversions in the driver to CMYKplus. If you send such drivers CMYK, it will convert it, very poorly back to RGB and the output will be pretty awful.

One can send CMYK data to either printer, but you'll need another type of print driver that understands this color model (what many incorrectly call a RIP).

The ONLY reason to send CMYK to such a printer is for proofing or what's called cross rendering. IOW, make my Epson/Canon proof another (press perhaps) CMYK output. Here is where having a driver that can accept CMYK data (maybe a RIP, maybe not) is necessary.

Otherwise, send RGB data to such printers. The wider the gamut, the better!

The benefits of wide gamut working spaces on printed output:

This three part, 32 minute video covers why a wide gamut RGB working space like ProPhoto RGB can produce superior quality output to print.

Part 1 discusses how the supplied Gamut Test File was created and shows two prints output to an Epson 3880 using ProPhoto RGB and sRGB, how the deficiencies of sRGB gamut affects final output quality. Part 1 discusses what to look for on your own prints in terms of better color output. It also covers Photoshop’s Assign Profile command and how wide gamut spaces mishandled produce dull or over saturated colors due to user error.

Part 2 goes into detail about how to print two versions of the properly converted Gamut Test File file in Photoshop using Photoshop’s Print command to correctly setup the test files for output. It covers the Convert to Profile command for preparing test files for output to a lab.

Part 3 goes into color theory and illustrates why a wide gamut space produces not only move vibrant and saturated color but detail and color separation compared to a small gamut working space like sRGB.

High Resolution Video: http://digitaldog.net/files/WideGamutPrintVideo.mov

Low Resolution (YouTube):

Hey Andrew,

Thanks for taking the time to write this post and for the vid. I def watched until the last part to get more technical info. I definitely experimented with ProPhoto RGB and can see the difference in range of color gamut.

It is very strange because I have been printing only in CMYK on 24" rolls since I got the printer and it always printed fine. The printer sat for a few months without any use and a couple weeks ago I decided to start printing 8.5x11's and seem to just keep running into issues. PS would just crash when I try printing CMYK files on 8.5x11 but seems to be working fine when I switch them over to RGB. Now I am experiencing blurry photos on the prints but when examining them on my Mac, they don't seem to be blurry.

Let me know your thoughts.

Run tests using a color reference file like this:

http://www.digitaldog.net/files/2014PrinterTestFileFlat.tif.zip

--
Andrew Rodney
Author: Color Management for Photographers
The Digital Dog
http://www.digitaldog.net

Hey Andrew,

Sorry about the late reply!

So I printed the test file you sent and I am seeing the same type of distortion/unclarity on everything but the color charts. I'm so frustrated....

 

[digidog]

It would indeed!

The Canon like the Epson inkjet is a CMYK (or if you want to get specific and depending on the printer, CcMmYK and perhaps Orange, Green etc) device.

GDI and QuickDraw print drivers demand RGB data so they can do their own internal, proprietary conversions in the driver to CMYKplus. If you send such drivers CMYK, it will convert it, very poorly back to RGB and the output will be pretty awful.

One can send CMYK data to either printer, but you'll need another type of print driver that understands this color model (what many incorrectly call a RIP).

The ONLY reason to send CMYK to such a printer is for proofing or what's called cross rendering. IOW, make my Epson/Canon proof another (press perhaps) CMYK output. Here is where having a driver that can accept CMYK data (maybe a RIP, maybe not) is necessary.

Otherwise, send RGB data to such printers. The wider the gamut, the better!

The benefits of wide gamut working spaces on printed output:

This three part, 32 minute video covers why a wide gamut RGB working space like ProPhoto RGB can produce superior quality output to print.

Part 1 discusses how the supplied Gamut Test File was created and shows two prints output to an Epson 3880 using ProPhoto RGB and sRGB, how the deficiencies of sRGB gamut affects final output quality. Part 1 discusses what to look for on your own prints in terms of better color output. It also covers Photoshop’s Assign Profile command and how wide gamut spaces mishandled produce dull or over saturated colors due to user error.

Part 2 goes into detail about how to print two versions of the properly converted Gamut Test File file in Photoshop using Photoshop’s Print command to correctly setup the test files for output. It covers the Convert to Profile command for preparing test files for output to a lab.

Part 3 goes into color theory and illustrates why a wide gamut space produces not only move vibrant and saturated color but detail and color separation compared to a small gamut working space like sRGB.

High Resolution Video: http://digitaldog.net/files/WideGamutPrintVideo.mov

Low Resolution (YouTube):

Hey Andrew,

Thanks for taking the time to write this post and for the vid. I def watched until the last part to get more technical info. I definitely experimented with ProPhoto RGB and can see the difference in range of color gamut.

It is very strange because I have been printing only in CMYK on 24" rolls since I got the printer and it always printed fine. The printer sat for a few months without any use and a couple weeks ago I decided to start printing 8.5x11's and seem to just keep running into issues. PS would just crash when I try printing CMYK files on 8.5x11 but seems to be working fine when I switch them over to RGB. Now I am experiencing blurry photos on the prints but when examining them on my Mac, they don't seem to be blurry.

Let me know your thoughts.

Run tests using a color reference file like this:

http://www.digitaldog.net/files/2014PrinterTestFileFlat.tif.zip

 

[jeegunkim]

It would indeed!

The Canon like the Epson inkjet is a CMYK (or if you want to get specific and depending on the printer, CcMmYK and perhaps Orange, Green etc) device.

GDI and QuickDraw print drivers demand RGB data so they can do their own internal, proprietary conversions in the driver to CMYKplus. If you send such drivers CMYK, it will convert it, very poorly back to RGB and the output will be pretty awful.

One can send CMYK data to either printer, but you'll need another type of print driver that understands this color model (what many incorrectly call a RIP).

The ONLY reason to send CMYK to such a printer is for proofing or what's called cross rendering. IOW, make my Epson/Canon proof another (press perhaps) CMYK output. Here is where having a driver that can accept CMYK data (maybe a RIP, maybe not) is necessary.

Otherwise, send RGB data to such printers. The wider the gamut, the better!

The benefits of wide gamut working spaces on printed output:

This three part, 32 minute video covers why a wide gamut RGB working space like ProPhoto RGB can produce superior quality output to print.

Part 1 discusses how the supplied Gamut Test File was created and shows two prints output to an Epson 3880 using ProPhoto RGB and sRGB, how the deficiencies of sRGB gamut affects final output quality. Part 1 discusses what to look for on your own prints in terms of better color output. It also covers Photoshop’s Assign Profile command and how wide gamut spaces mishandled produce dull or over saturated colors due to user error.

Part 2 goes into detail about how to print two versions of the properly converted Gamut Test File file in Photoshop using Photoshop’s Print command to correctly setup the test files for output. It covers the Convert to Profile command for preparing test files for output to a lab.

Part 3 goes into color theory and illustrates why a wide gamut space produces not only move vibrant and saturated color but detail and color separation compared to a small gamut working space like sRGB.

High Resolution Video: http://digitaldog.net/files/WideGamutPrintVideo.mov

Low Resolution (YouTube):

Hey Andrew,

Thanks for taking the time to write this post and for the vid. I def watched until the last part to get more technical info. I definitely experimented with ProPhoto RGB and can see the difference in range of color gamut.

It is very strange because I have been printing only in CMYK on 24" rolls since I got the printer and it always printed fine. The printer sat for a few months without any use and a couple weeks ago I decided to start printing 8.5x11's and seem to just keep running into issues. PS would just crash when I try printing CMYK files on 8.5x11 but seems to be working fine when I switch them over to RGB. Now I am experiencing blurry photos on the prints but when examining them on my Mac, they don't seem to be blurry.

Let me know your thoughts.

Run tests using a color reference file like this:

http://www.digitaldog.net/files/2014PrinterTestFileFlat.tif.zip

 

[digidog]

It would indeed!

The Canon like the Epson inkjet is a CMYK (or if you want to get specific and depending on the printer, CcMmYK and perhaps Orange, Green etc) device.

GDI and QuickDraw print drivers demand RGB data so they can do their own internal, proprietary conversions in the driver to CMYKplus. If you send such drivers CMYK, it will convert it, very poorly back to RGB and the output will be pretty awful.

One can send CMYK data to either printer, but you'll need another type of print driver that understands this color model (what many incorrectly call a RIP).

The ONLY reason to send CMYK to such a printer is for proofing or what's called cross rendering. IOW, make my Epson/Canon proof another (press perhaps) CMYK output. Here is where having a driver that can accept CMYK data (maybe a RIP, maybe not) is necessary.

Otherwise, send RGB data to such printers. The wider the gamut, the better!

The benefits of wide gamut working spaces on printed output:

This three part, 32 minute video covers why a wide gamut RGB working space like ProPhoto RGB can produce superior quality output to print.

Part 1 discusses how the supplied Gamut Test File was created and shows two prints output to an Epson 3880 using ProPhoto RGB and sRGB, how the deficiencies of sRGB gamut affects final output quality. Part 1 discusses what to look for on your own prints in terms of better color output. It also covers Photoshop’s Assign Profile command and how wide gamut spaces mishandled produce dull or over saturated colors due to user error.

Part 2 goes into detail about how to print two versions of the properly converted Gamut Test File file in Photoshop using Photoshop’s Print command to correctly setup the test files for output. It covers the Convert to Profile command for preparing test files for output to a lab.

Part 3 goes into color theory and illustrates why a wide gamut space produces not only move vibrant and saturated color but detail and color separation compared to a small gamut working space like sRGB.

High Resolution Video: http://digitaldog.net/files/WideGamutPrintVideo.mov

Low Resolution (YouTube):

Hey Andrew,

Thanks for taking the time to write this post and for the vid. I def watched until the last part to get more technical info. I definitely experimented with ProPhoto RGB and can see the difference in range of color gamut.

It is very strange because I have been printing only in CMYK on 24" rolls since I got the printer and it always printed fine. The printer sat for a few months without any use and a couple weeks ago I decided to start printing 8.5x11's and seem to just keep running into issues. PS would just crash when I try printing CMYK files on 8.5x11 but seems to be working fine when I switch them over to RGB. Now I am experiencing blurry photos on the prints but when examining them on my Mac, they don't seem to be blurry.

Let me know your thoughts.

Run tests using a color reference file like this:

http://www.digitaldog.net/files/2014PrinterTestFileFlat.tif.zip

 

[jeegunkim]

It would indeed!

The Canon like the Epson inkjet is a CMYK (or if you want to get specific and depending on the printer, CcMmYK and perhaps Orange, Green etc) device.

GDI and QuickDraw print drivers demand RGB data so they can do their own internal, proprietary conversions in the driver to CMYKplus. If you send such drivers CMYK, it will convert it, very poorly back to RGB and the output will be pretty awful.

One can send CMYK data to either printer, but you'll need another type of print driver that understands this color model (what many incorrectly call a RIP).

The ONLY reason to send CMYK to such a printer is for proofing or what's called cross rendering. IOW, make my Epson/Canon proof another (press perhaps) CMYK output. Here is where having a driver that can accept CMYK data (maybe a RIP, maybe not) is necessary.

Otherwise, send RGB data to such printers. The wider the gamut, the better!

The benefits of wide gamut working spaces on printed output:

This three part, 32 minute video covers why a wide gamut RGB working space like ProPhoto RGB can produce superior quality output to print.

Part 1 discusses how the supplied Gamut Test File was created and shows two prints output to an Epson 3880 using ProPhoto RGB and sRGB, how the deficiencies of sRGB gamut affects final output quality. Part 1 discusses what to look for on your own prints in terms of better color output. It also covers Photoshop’s Assign Profile command and how wide gamut spaces mishandled produce dull or over saturated colors due to user error.

Part 2 goes into detail about how to print two versions of the properly converted Gamut Test File file in Photoshop using Photoshop’s Print command to correctly setup the test files for output. It covers the Convert to Profile command for preparing test files for output to a lab.

Part 3 goes into color theory and illustrates why a wide gamut space produces not only move vibrant and saturated color but detail and color separation compared to a small gamut working space like sRGB.

High Resolution Video: http://digitaldog.net/files/WideGamutPrintVideo.mov

Low Resolution (YouTube):

Hey Andrew,

Thanks for taking the time to write this post and for the vid. I def watched until the last part to get more technical info. I definitely experimented with ProPhoto RGB and can see the difference in range of color gamut.

It is very strange because I have been printing only in CMYK on 24" rolls since I got the printer and it always printed fine. The printer sat for a few months without any use and a couple weeks ago I decided to start printing 8.5x11's and seem to just keep running into issues. PS would just crash when I try printing CMYK files on 8.5x11 but seems to be working fine when I switch them over to RGB. Now I am experiencing blurry photos on the prints but when examining them on my Mac, they don't seem to be blurry.

Let me know your thoughts.

Run tests using a color reference file like this:

http://www.digitaldog.net/files/2014PrinterTestFileFlat.tif.zip