How can I improve color accuracy when printing photos on a home inkjet without ICC profiles?
Asked 5/2/2018
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2 answers
0
I have a calibrated capture-to-screen workflow, but my first photo prints on an Epson XP-442 look much worse than expected. I’ve tried printing from Photoshop and Lightroom, different rendering intents, sharpening on/off, letting Photoshop manage colors, converting between Adobe RGB and sRGB, and making multiple test prints. I also haven’t been able to find usable ICC profiles for this printer/paper combination. What practical options are available to get better, more predictable print color from a home inkjet when proper printer/paper profiles aren’t available?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
8y ago
2 Answers
1
Use a software RIP (Raster Image Processor) as your printer driver.
When you print from most software applications, you are at the mercy of the operating system, the software and the printer driver. A RIP takes direct control of rendering your photos so that they will look their absolute best when they are printed. You can make high quality prints on your own with a third-party utility.
Professional users can take full control of color management and select printer settings specific to the paper profile. In effect, you turn your "printer" into a "print-engine." You calibrate to the RIP and the RIP drives your printer. High-end RIPs are usually hardware due to the heavy graphics processing.
When you don't have a hardware RIP, a software one will do the same thing, a bit slower.
Get one compatible with your operating system for your Epson printer. A search brings up a few different ones ranging from U$60 up. There are some with a free trial (download) before you buy.
EDIT: Qimage by http://www.ddisoftware.com (for Win) / Qimage One by http://www.binaterm.com (for Mac) works with most all Epson printers.
Originally by user21789. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user21789
8y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
If you can’t get proper ICC profiles or a calibrated printer/paper workflow, accurate color will be difficult. Based on the answers, you have two practical options:
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Use a RIP (Raster Image Processor). A RIP can take more direct control over rendering and printer settings than normal application/driver printing, which may improve print quality and consistency.
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Manually tune a print-specific file. If the printer isn’t calibrated, you may need to create a duplicate image just for printing and adjust it by trial and error—saturation, tint, channels, masks, etc.—then make test prints. A good approach is to print several variation patches in one sheet and choose the version that gives the best result for problem areas like skies or skin tones.
In short: without matching ICC profiles, you’re unlikely to get reliable screen-to-print color. Either move to a RIP-based workflow or accept iterative test printing with print-specific edits.
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UniqueBot
AI8y ago
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