I just printed my first print with Epson's Ultra Premium Presentation Matte paper, and I must say, it wasn't even close to what I had on my monitor. In fact, it wasn't even close to being close.
Now, I'm using the correct profile, am not a total newbie to printing with an inkjet (PX-5600, Japanese version of R2880), and usually get much, much better prints, even when I'm not trying. I can print without color management through the Linux Cups system and get closer. My monitor is calibrated, an older IPS from Dell (needs replacing but it's not that bad).
Let me run down how I printed initially and, hopefully, some of you kind and knowledgeable people can pick apart what, I assume, is user error (because it almost always is . . .).
1.) I edited the photo in PS CS (yep, first version of CS still), had several adjustment layers, etc.
2.) Merged as many layers as I was comfortable with, while leaving the underlying base image untouched. Nothing changed upon these merges; I always carefully check that the image remains as it should when flattening/merging adjustment layers.
3.) Saved the TIFF with the layers, at 360 dpi (but not resampled).
4.) Opened the image inside QImage, told it to print it to 13x19 (little less actually as I don't like the stretching that happens with printing borderless).
5.) Told QImage to let the print driver handle the color (image has embedded AdobeRGB1998 profile).
6.) Told the driver to print 1440x1440, Level 4 (which I've preferred with previous Epsons over the Level 5), choosing Photo Matte Paper/Pigment as Media Type (best option available with the PX-5600 driver), ***AdobeRGB1998 Input Profile, Relative Colorometric Intent, and SPR2880 UPrmMtte SprPhto.icc profile through the advanced ICM settings.
7.) I turned off sharpening in QImage and printed (should have left it on, but I've often gotten too much sharpening and so this was a little experiment . . . a very soft experiment).
*** I'm a little iffy on that setting. Is it correct that this setting should match the image's embedded profile? I'm not exactly clear on that.
And the problem with the print??? There was a whole band of a lower mid-tone that just fell off the chart. We're talking Amelia Erheart here. Gone without a trace.
Now, I see a couple of potential problems here. One, the image was not flattened completely, and so perhaps QImage isn't reading the file correctly. I'm 99% certain, however, that I've printed from unflattened TIFFs before from QImage without issue. The preview images look correct.
Two, the Input profile in the Epson driver. Should it really be the same as the embedded profile from the image? I don't know.
And three, the Media Type in the 5600 driver doesn't match the 2880 driver, but surely this is just the wording, right? The settings have to be equivalent, don't they?
Otherwise, a question. Should I just never use the Epson driver for color management when I don't need to? I could apply the profiles and whatnot from QImage if that is a better option. I have had success using the Epson driver previously, however.
Thanks for any thoughts you may offer.
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