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

[brian_5189]

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. 

[D Fosse]

Show a screenshot of the Photoshop Print dialog.

These are the settings you need to watch:

[brian_5189]

I'll take a picture tomorrow and post it. Thank you for your help!

[brian_5189]

 

[davescm]

@brian_5189 

Try changing the following settings from those in your screenshot.
1. In Photoshop's printer dialogue choose 'Photoshop Manages Colour'
2. In the same dialogue choose the profile for the specific paper you are using. You can get these from Epson or other paper manufacturers but make sure they are specific to your printer.

3. In printer settings (i.e. the P900 driver) under media type set that to the specific paper you are using (or if you are not using Epson media, set it to the media setting recommended by the paper manufacturer. It is important that this matches the setting used when the paper profile was created.
4. Under Mode choose Custom and set it to 'Off (No Color Adjustment)

Those settings should give you a reasonable match.

Dave

[brian_5189]

I tried that and got the same results. 

[brian_5189]

@D Fosse 

[D Fosse]

Also, keep the document in a standard color space throughout - sRGB, Adobe RGB or ProPhoto RGB. Using a print profile at document level defeats the whole purpose. It doesn't belong there.

The whole point here is that as the document goes to print, the color management engine converts from the document profile into the print profile. That's what "Photoshop manages color" means.

[brian_5189]

I did and got the same result. I'm so frustrated.

[NB, colourmanagement]

@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. 

More to read about ICC profiles 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

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[brian_5189]

I'll read up on it. Thank you very much. 

[Stephen Marsh]

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]

@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