Epson 1280 printing anomalies

[lbortles]

I sure can use some help. I recently purchased an Epson 1280 - after reading posts on this forum - and am now getting strange results. I am using a new Mac PowerBook, OS 10.3.7 with PhotoShop CS v8.0 and InDesign CS v3.0. My display profile is Color LCD.

My problem: I am able to print my photos in draft mode on bond paper - for testing purposes - with exactly the color balance that I am looking to achieve on the photo paper that I select. However, when selecting either Epson Matte or Epson Glossy settings, the prints always come out with an overriding red tonality not seen on my screen or on the draft prints.

I expect that I have some key setting(s) wrong, but I'll be darned if I can find it! This problem occurs whether I am printing from PhotoShop or from InDesign.

I'm so keen to start seeing some great prints from my new printer! I'll really appreciate some help on this. Thanks!

[JK_Photo]

I'm using an 1280 as well. I'll try to help.
I use PC but I think your problem is the settings in your colour management area of the print preview dialogue.
I have source space set to Adobe RGB (or whatever you use)
Print space profile is set to printer colour management.
I think the key here is the settings in the advanced section of the 1280 properties dialogue.
If you click on custom --> advancved and in the 'color management ' area mine is set to 'color control'.

If you have an embedded profile it will clash with the printers profile if set to something other than this.
I think. All I know is my prints come out right from my calibrated monitor on matte paper heavyweight.

There's some good stuff on this type of thing at http://www.luminous-landscape.com.
You'll have to dig to find it. Wealth of info. on this site.
Hope it helps.
Cheers.

[JK_Photo]

I edited the URL of that site. Check below.

[lbortles]

Thanks for this, Jon. I don't appear to have an app for the 1280 that offers a Properties dialogue. All I have is the Epson Print Utility. Am I missing something here?

Larry

I'm using an 1280 as well. I'll try to help.
I use PC but I think your problem is the settings in your colour management area of the print preview dialogue.
I have source space set to Adobe RGB (or whatever you use)
Print space profile is set to printer colour management.
I think the key here is the settings in the advanced section of the 1280 properties dialogue.
If you click on custom --> advancved and in the 'color management ' area mine is set to 'color control'.

If you have an embedded profile it will clash with the printers profile if set to something other than this.
I think. All I know is my prints come out right from my calibrated monitor on matte paper heavyweight.

There's some good stuff on this type of thing at http://www.luminous-landscape.com.
You'll have to dig to find it. Wealth of info. on this site.
Hope it helps.
Cheers.

[JK_Photo]

In photoshop go File --> print with preview --> first button at the top right should say properties (mind you I'm on PC; maybe different config. for you)
When you're on the tab for setting up your paper settings there should also be a button saying custom(appears after you select matte paper). Click custom then a button saying advanced will appear.

[lbortles]

Jon, all I have in my version of PS are Print, Cancel, Done & Page Setup buttons. When I hit the Print button it does take me to a dialogue that allows me to select the photo quality paper that I am using, and this is what yields the strong red overtones vs the balanced colors when I do a draft print on bond paper. What now, coach?

In photoshop go File --> print with preview --> first button at the top right should say properties (mind you I'm on PC; maybe different config. for you)
When you're on the tab for setting up your paper settings there should also be a button saying custom(appears after you select matte paper). Click custom then a button saying advanced will appear.

[JK_Photo]

You have PS CS right?

I'll do some screen captures to show you. Will take me a bit of time.
Hang tight.

[Peter_AUS]

Maybe your menus aren't fully expanded. What version of Photoshop are you using.

Where in the Philippines are you located.

[JK_Photo]

Jon, all I have in my version of PS are Print, Cancel, Done & Page Setup buttons. When I hit the Print button it does take me to a dialogue that allows me to select the photo quality paper that I am using, and this is what yields the strong red overtones vs the balanced colors when I do a draft print on bond paper. What now, coach?

Hope you can see these well.

Sorry, I meant print button, then properties.

[lbortles]

Peter, I am using a new Mac PowerBook, OS 10.3.7 with PhotoShop CS v8.0 and InDesign CS v3.0. My base of operations is in Makati, the business heart of Metro Manila. Where In
Aussie are you?

Maybe your menus aren't fully expanded. What version of Photoshop are you using.

Where in the Philippines are you located.

[Peter_AUS]

I'm in Sydney, Married to a Fillo, hence my asking.

Make sure your menus are fully extended and not showing short menus as several options available to you will be hidden. Look for a down arrow at the bottom of your menu, or in the options/preferences, you can make the menus fully open all the time.

Jon's examples should help, but I'm not sure totally about the colour management side of things. Most of the time I have seen suggested to turn the colour management off, as in number 5, look for No Colour Adjustment.

It is really a trialling thing, getting the process right.

[lbortles]

Thanks Peter & Jon. I think I have most of the problem resolved now. Because I was not seeing the menu options that you two have been mentioning, I deleted all my Espon files and re-installed the drivers from the CD, and then installed over that the 20th Oct 04 driver update from the Epson website.

Finally I now have the all-important Color Management menu selection in my Print dialogue - where I selected "No Color Adjustment" and now the print colors are fine when setting for Best on Matte Photo Paper.

I am curious, however, that the printer really zips through the printing. I had expected it to be more deliberate when printing at the best quality setting. Might I be missing some other setting?

Larry

I'm in Sydney, Married to a Fillo, hence my asking.

Make sure your menus are fully extended and not showing short menus as several options available to you will be hidden. Look for a down arrow at the bottom of your menu, or in the options/preferences, you can make the menus fully open all the time.

Jon's examples should help, but I'm not sure totally about the colour management side of things. Most of the time I have seen suggested to turn the colour management off, as in number 5, look for No Colour Adjustment.

It is really a trialling thing, getting the process right.

[JK_Photo]

In the advanced section you have the ability to switch dpi for the printout. I usually set mine to 1440 dpi for a high quality print. A4 size print should take between 5 and 10 mins. at this res.

Glad we could help.