Yikes - need help with Epson Pro 4800

[steve bronstein]

Recently received my brand spanking new Epson Pro 4800, a long anticipated event. Unfortunately, I am getting horrible results. None of the prints look anything like what I see on my monitor. Black and white files after some work in Photoshop CS look sharp with intense, deep black and sharp whites on the monitor. The prints I am getting are muddy with no snap or sharply defined edges - generally flat. I calibrate my montor weekly. Frankly I get better prints from my little three function epson one black and one color cartridge $300 office printer. I am using high grade epson paper, glossy and not yet messed with the standard set up in the printer, right out of the carton. I really don't know where to start learning to use this printer. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Steve

[Ron Marshall]

Soft proof your prints, before printing to see how they will look on a particular paper (see link below) By setting a custom proof in Photoshop:

http://www.luminous-landscape.com/tutorials/soft-proofing.shtml

[Jack Flesher]

Welcome to printing with pigment inks. You need to learn how to print using a paper profile and need to use a good profile to beging with -- fortunately the canned Epson profiles are pretty good.

Search www.outbackphoto.com for a tutorial on printing with profiles -- it should explain the basics and help you get pointed in the right direction.

Cheers,

[Greg Lockrey]

You may be "double profiling". That is having the Epson send a its profile while you have PS send its at the same time. Turn off one or the other. Do what Jack suggested, DOP is a great source for learning.

[JohnnyV]

The below links should help with learning color management:

http://www.computer-darkroom.com/ps7_print/ps7_print_1.htm
http://www.computer-darkroom.com/ps8_colour/ps8_1.htm