White background prints beige in absolute colorimetric intent
There's probably a clear (and possibly logical!) explanation for this but I can't find it. I have a test image with color patches with different densities of C, M, Y, K. The initial background of the file is white and is left that way. If I flatten and check with the dropper, it shows 0 for each of C, M, Y, K in that open area so when it prints there should be no ink put down in that area, just the natural paper color.
However, the printable area is filled with beige and perhaps this beige base color has also been added to my color patches also.
The image is CMYK mode, color patches in 25%, 50%, 75%, 100% each of C, M, Y, K (16 little rectangles).
The RGB working space in PS is Adobe RGB.
The printer is Epson P800, Epson premium photo paper glossy, print quality maximum, color mode (management) off.
Photoshop print settings are Photoshop manages colours, printer profile is the Epson profile for the premium photo glossy, normal printing mode, black point compensation is off, rendering intent is Absolute Colorimetric since I read that should put exactly the inks and densities specified by the colour patches in the image onto the paper.
Why would the background be beige, and what rendering intent would result in a white background and exactly those densities of specific CMYK inks being printed?
Relative and Perceptual don't print with this beige background fill.
In addition to the puzzle of why Absolute adds a background fill, would Relative and Perceptual prints have exactly the density and inks specified by the image, since the densities are given in percentage and therefore can't exceed the gamut of the inks and paper so the colors in-gamut, will be correct?
Thanks
Andy
