Is it cost-effective to print at home?

[TonyK]

True. I used the demo of QImage to see if I had a problem in PS CS or not. As I got the same result I think my issue is in the driver end of things.

That reminds, I need to remove QImage. Good program just don't care to jump out of PS when I want to print. Especially when I have layers. That forces me to flatten the image, save it as a different name and the open QImage to print.

[Mr. Pickles]

Just wondering, is the first image you printed about 2 hours ago still too red?

[ohenry]

Download and read this Color management pdf file.

This was written for CS, but the setup holds true for CS2. The key to effective color management, besides having a good profile for your printer and your monitor, is having it properly set up.

[TonyK]

Mr P,

Using the Epson profile in the driver dialog did not change the result.

I applied a custom curve in the image (had to flatten it for that) and in the red channel took out some of the red. Guess what, no change.

I have a bug some where in my process and I am not sure where it is, unless it is just XP SP2.

Going to save this image and try printing just from Windows, removing PS CS from the mix.

[TonyK]

Okay, I give up on that image. I printed a different image and it matches my screen. There is something in the downtown scene that is causing me problems and I've blown over 10 sheets of paper and ink on just one image. <sigh>

I tried printing the offending image directly from Windows and it was substantially darker all over.

If anyone has any ideas about why this one image is such a problem child please let me know.

Thanks.

[TonyK]

Thanks. I use PS CS and downloaded it for reading.

Originally Posted by ohenry

Download and read this Color management pdf file.

This was written for CS, but the setup holds true for CS2. The key to effective color management, besides having a good profile for your printer and your monitor, is having it properly set up.

[ohenry]

Question for you TonyK....how do you calibrate your monitor? By that I mean, do you use a hardware device or do you rely on software to tweak it in using your eyeballs? If it's the latter, this could be your problem

Second question...are you using the correct profile from Epson for the paper you're using? I assume you know that each paper requires a separate profile.

I don't use Epson papers, so I can't speak of the quality of their canned profiles. Obviously, a custom profile made from a test print made on the paper you use from your printer is a better choice, albeit it can be a bit spendy (at $25-$100 per profile) if you use multiple papers.

As to why the issue is just on one print could be a) monitor profile b) the image has a red cast to it that is more apparent in print than on your monitor. Due to the way you view a print and the way you view a monitor (direction of light), exact matches between the two are unlikely, but you should be close.

Do you softproof the image prior to printing? While this isn't perfect, it does help some.

[Mr. Pickles]

If you changed the red color/intensity, and it made NO difference, then the printer profile is over ridding the custom change.

[TonyK]

Hi,

I use a hardware device (Spyder2Pro). I quit using Adobe Gamma a couple of years ago.

Originally Posted by ohenry

Question for you TonyK....how do you calibrate your monitor? By that I mean, do you use a hardware device or do you rely on software to tweak it in using your eyeballs? If it's the latter, this could be your problem

Right. I have verified and re-verified the profile each time. It is the profile for the Glossy Premium Paper.

Originally Posted by ohenry

Second question...are you using the correct profile from Epson for the paper you're using? I assume you know that each paper requires a separate profile.

I don't use Epson papers, so I can't speak of the quality of their canned profiles. Obviously, a custom profile made from a test print made on the paper you use from your printer is a better choice, albeit it can be a bit spendy (at $25-$100 per profile) if you use multiple papers.

I am going to return to the original image and print from it. I was doing HDR on that image and each layer (3 total for different exposures) received a Hue Saturation of +25 for Red, Yellow and Green. This could have been the root cause of my problem. The other images were processed differently using a Levels, Curves and Hue/Saturation layer.

Originally Posted by ohenry

As to why the issue is just on one print could be a) monitor profile b) the image has a red cast to it that is more apparent in print than on your monitor. Due to the way you view a print and the way you view a monitor (direction of light), exact matches between the two are unlikely, but you should be close.

Not normally. This morning I did making sure I selected the right profile and the difference on screen between profiled and not profiled were very small.

Originally Posted by ohenry

Do you softproof the image prior to printing? While this isn't perfect, it does help some.

[ohenry]

Sounds like you're on the right track. May just be this one photo that's giving you fits. Be good to hear your further results. I have the big brother to your printer (R1800) and really enjoy the results that I get.

[TonyK]

Ask you shall hear.

I just re-did the photo from the original CR2 file and it matches the monitor. The issue probably was my HDR technique of putting Hue/Saturation on each layer and not adding adjustment layers between each one. I'll have to re-think how I might do HDR images.

The new 8x10 image just printed looks wonderful. I'll let that one dry and compare it to the others.

I had thought I was doing this stuff right. All the comments and feedback were check points of my process.

Thanks for everyone's help. It would have been a lot harder to pin point without your input and suggestions.

Take care,

[nsurit]

Each print, irrespective of if it is printed by a lab or printed by you, is a compromise. My preference is for me to make the decisions about what that compromise it to be.

If I were printing a bunch of stuff such as weddings, little league, etc. I'd get a lab to do it. Been there, done that, but not again in this life time. Bill Barber

[MrTwister]

It is quickly but not so good quality in general case.

[TonyK]

Before getting the R800 I had to decide on 6 images to send off to be printed by WHCC. It was going to cost $12 for 1 to 6 8x10 images so I would work to find 6 I wanted.

Now I just print what I want and not worry about finding filler. MPIX did an okay job. The complaint I had with them was shipping and handling fees.

Printing at home is not cost-effective yet it does remove certain barriers and other costs.

[dwightmccann]

I have to produce a half dozen 11" x 17" prints each week as part of a contract I have. I am occasionally asked to print up to 24" x 36". Most of this work is time critical. So I bought an Epson 7800 (and Epson R220 to print CDs) and use QImage and get wonderful results. The printer was about $3000 and it costs almost $900 for a set of ink cartridges. It is horribly cost inefficient. But it works for me and I can charge enough to cover it. I can also give under 24 hour service for my big customers when they want it. I'm not recommending it and if I didn't have a clear need I would recommend against it! I also have to print 100 to 300 4" x 6" prints a couple of weeks a month that are not time or quality sensitive ... I send these to an online website. I make two or three times the profit percentage-wise on these even though I charge very little ... just shows the huge gap in costs.

Bottom line: if you don't absolutely, positively have a cost or service justification to print in your studio/home, then don't ... unless it is for your own pleasure (which is way more than an adequate justification.)