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Question

Print isn't the same as what's shown in photoshop

Forum|Forum|10 months ago
May 4, 2025
4 replies
2112 views

Hi,

I can't get my printer to produce the same exact color tones as what I'm working on in Photoshop.

The colors on the images on Photoshop are vibrant. Although they come out with a grayish tint when printed.

I've tried adjusting between my printer managing colors or Adobe managing the colors. Nothing seems to fix the issue.

See the photo attached, print is on the lefthand side. My screen with work is on the righthand side

Thanks for any help.

Windows

Stephen Marsh

Community Expert

@brian_5189

I can't help but get the feeling that we are jumping around, when you need to methodically ensure that you have the basics in place.

Monitor:

Is your monitor calibrated?
Is your monitor profiled with a custom ICC profile?
Are your ambient viewing conditions stable etc?

Printer:

Are you using OEM inks and paper?
Is the ICC profile correct for the OEM inks and paper etc?

As this is possibly sounding like a monitor viewing issue rather than a print related issue (but the jury is still out on that), perhaps take a look at the following:

https://fogra.org/fileadmin/files/1_forschen/vorstufe/Softproof-General/Publications/Fogra_Softproof_Handbook.pdf

NB, colourmanagement

Community Expert

@brian_5189 If, as @Stephen Marsh suggests, you have an actual profile made for the printer model the loaded inkset and media (paper) you're using, then, to temporarily rule out a display calibration issue, you could print a test image with "memory colours". That way, an incorrect screen calibration is not misleading you into unnecessary edits.

If the image looks OK in your print - made using "Photoshop manages colors" a profile for the actual paper you're using and the driver is set to the right media option see @D Fosse image above of what to watch, then that would seem to suggest that screen calibration is misleading you. If the screen is too bright then it's always going to mean prints are dull.

CMnet Pixl AdobeRGB testimage

copyright PixlAps & Neil Barstow 2004 / colourmanagement.net (zip file, 1 MB)

This RGB test-image is a composite of carefully chosen images, including some with "memory colours" and monochrome, which provide a good visual test of accuracy - this test-image provides a great way to get started out with testing your computer screen and printing system.

Please download and print the test-image, following your normal printing procedure. Now you can check how well your printing process is performing, by comparison to your profiled monitor [this comparison is valid as long as the monitor system is accurate*]. A printed proof image for use in validation of screen appearance is available for purchase here.

I hope this helps

neil barstow colourmanagement - adobe forum volunteer,

colourmanagement consultant & co-author of 'getting colour right'

See my free articles on colourmanagement online

Help others by clicking "Correct Answer" if the question is answered.

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Stephen Marsh

Community Expert

One further thing you need to keep in mind is softproofing to the same printer colour profile and possibly simulation of paper white and black.

NB, colourmanagement

Community Expert

@brian_5189 @Stephen Marsh yes, I agree that once your display is properly calibrated and profiled - softproofing is an additional step that you can take and thatsoftproofing can indeed help with simulating print output onscreen.

I generally find that checking "paper white" seems a bit misleading, but by all means try it - and "ink black" is useful as it helps the user to have realistic expectations - since a screen (without softproofing) can look far "blacker" than ink on paper.

@brian_5189 With the image to be printed open and frontmost (i.e. it’s the active image), in the Photoshop menu go to View/Proof Setup/Custom and choose the right ICC profile for the printer, ink and media you're using.

Below, I selected an Epson 4900/4910 profile - but you'll need to select the right ICC profile for the printer, ink and media you're using. You can see I checked "Simulate Black Ink"

I hope this helps

neil barstow colourmanagement - adobe forum volunteer,

colourmanagement consultant & co-author of 'getting colour right'

See my free articles on colourmanagement online

Help others by clicking "Correct Answer" if the question is answered.

Found the answer elsewhere? Share it here. "Upvote" is for useful posts

B

brian_5189Author

Participating Frequently

I was able to match the black by choosing Simulate Black Ink in the Proof Conditions settings. Although I'm still having trouble matching the colors. Even though I thought my settings were correct in the Proof Conditions boxes.

See how the screen shows the sailor girl's skin tones on the screen. But the print comes out darker, and muddy looking.

NB, colourmanagement

Community Expert

@brian_5189 Matching print to screen to a reasonable level relies on accurate ICC profiles to properly "characterise" the various devices in use.

Both print and display screen must be viewed in the right circumstances too - more here

- as @D Fosse has illustrated, you'll need to select an accurate printer profile for the ink and media in use and choose the relevant settings in the printer software [as shown].

In addition to that, you'll also need to calibrate and profile your display screen so that it's showing you the image file as it really is - visually.

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