Darker Than Normal Prints Using CS3

[Onesimus]

I have just begun using CS3 10.0.1 on an iMac (using 10.5.2) and am experiencing darker than normal prints.

My setup is as follows:

Color Settings In Photoshop:
RGB: Adobe RGB (1998 (but have now begun using ProPhoto RGB)
CMYK: US Web Coated (SWOP) v2
Gray: Gray Gamma 2.2
Spot: Dot Gain 20%

When printing, I have been using:
Photoshop Colour Management -
Document
Photoshop Manages Colours
A specific printer profile for the Epson paper I use ( downloaded the from Epson website)
Perceptual (Rendering Intent)

For the printer driver (for an Epson R800 printer) I have been selecting Off (No Colour Management) from the Colour Management Tab and I have been adjusting the Print Settings to the paper I have been using.

If there is a bug in CS3 that is causing the darker than normal prints, is there a workaround (such as printing images edited in CS3 in CS)?

Any assistance is appreciated!

Onesimus

[Mr. Pickles]

Is Photoshop managing the print coloring (print matching)?

Have you tried printing from an sRGB image (rather than ProPhoto RGB)?

[Epphoto]

I don't have a Mack
But i have see a video from Scot Kelby not to long ago , were he point ,if you ever get dark pictures
on your prints, it is very ease to fix them
Duplicate your layer and chance it to screen / tone it down to 20-30% and do your print that way
I hope this will help

[prometeus]

Make sure when you let CS3 manage the colors to have the settings in the epson driver like the image.

Otherwise 2 apps are going to manage and that will bring uncertain results.

[Mr. Pickles]

The OP mentioned turning OFF Color Management in the print driver, so it shouldn't be a double-managed issue...?

I know you could do the Dup layer set the screen, but that shouldn't be needed if their is some good color calibration going on, but you never know...

[Onesimus]

Thank you all for your responses. I have tried eliminating the obvious causes such as having both PS and the printer manage colours - I only allow PS to do this - but Epphoto's solution seems an interesting one, seeing that it comes from Scott Kelby whose books on PS I have!

Again, thank you all!

Onesimus

[Ryan Howell]

I'm not sure if I can solve my problem in the same way so....

I recently ordered a photobook online, when it came in the post the colours were very different in print than on my screen. Luckily I know the person who runs the company and he has sent me the ICM profile for colour on his screen. I've installed this on my screen but how do I tell if it's different now?

[Epphoto]

Originally Posted by Ryan Howell

I'm not sure if I can solve my problem in the same way so....

I recently ordered a photobook online, when it came in the post the colours were very different in print than on my screen. Luckily I know the person who runs the company and he has sent me the ICM profile for colour on his screen. I've installed this on my screen but how do I tell if it's different now?

You got to have a color calibrated monitor , this way to get what you see in your prints
then you have to know how to print the pictures correctly
Just look this link Monitor Profiling

[Paul Shields]

I agree with epphoto - get your monitor calibrated before starting down any other path. It'll save a lot of time (and ink) in the long run. It's also useful to select 'match print colours' (soft proof) in the print dialog in CS3 to get a better idea of how the print will turn out.

[JimH]

Originally Posted by Paul Shields

I agree with epphoto - get your monitor calibrated before starting down any other path. It'll save a lot of time (and ink) in the long run. It's also useful to select 'match print colours' (soft proof) in the print dialog in CS3 to get a better idea of how the print will turn out.

Also, within CS3 (not the print setup) you can go to view/proof setup/custom and select the profile there .. make sure to check the box for simulate paper color.