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I have noticed that there is a general thought process that indicates that higher end printers will yield better pictures. I have also noticed that there are users who have upgraded from say a 5 tank Canon to a Pro9000 or something similar. I suspect that it was done to get better pictures and not just the larger size.
I do not want to rain on anyone's parade BUT unfortunately the potential of many of these lower end printers are hardly touched before they are given up for higher end printers. It is somewhat similar to entering a camera store and asking how to get better pictures. They will all ask how much is your budget and you're walking out with more hardware..no mention of technique. Hardly anyone talks about technique which is probably more critical most times.
Well a similar thing could be happening in printerland.
If someone wanted to get better printed pictures and was thinking of upgrading their printer, I'd ask them to think again. The first question I would pose is whether or not they had taken the time to try and use profiles. Now much photoediting software does not support color management but knowing how to use it can allow the simple printers to print much better than most ever expected.
This is likely where the stumbling block lies. Even if the user were to obtain proper printer profile, their software would not support it. In researching this stumbling block I have come to the conclusion that the least expensive way to have color management is to acquire either a used version of Photoshop Elements Ver 6 ( some folks give these away for free as this is frequently bundled with hardware the purchaser already has the full phjotoshop Free to $79)and newer or purchase Qimage ( $35). Both these software packages come with free trial periods that will allow users to "test" their printers to see if it can offer the quality they want before upgrading.
I favor Qimage if the user is already comfortable with an existing photoediting package.
Having owned numerous printers, and having gone through the ropes I will offer what I have learned in a somewhat basic way. Learning color management in a basic form is likely the most important quality improvement you will achieve and will surpasses buying better printers. After you have exhausted the potential of your current printer, then think about a printer upgrade which will yield possibly only a slight improvement over what color management had offered.
Last edited by mikling (07/31/2010 10:10:08 pm)
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Ok so what are we going to start out with for a demonstration.
PRINTER:
My base printer is a Canon MP500 multifunction. It uses the PGI-5 as well as the CLI-8 in Cyan Magenta Yellow and Photoblack. It is identical in printing characteristics to the Canon iP4200.
While not technically correct, the profile appears to work well on an MP830 and iP4500. For the time being you can try using the supplied profile on all PGI-5 and CLI-8 5 tank Canon printers. Later this summer I will have a profile for the iP4500 when I visit my sister in British Columbia. ) A printer addict that walks with a profiling package.) So if you have an iP4200, iP4300, iP5200, iP5300, MP530, MP600, MP800,MP810, MP830, MP950 and MX850 the profile will likely suffice. I will do some testing and gather some data but I suspect the profiles will be OK.
PAPER:
The paper I will use is Kirkland Professional Glossy available at Costco. This is by far the most popular photo paper amongst Canon users who refill. It is economical and performs very adequately especially considering the price. For casual pictures at an economical price, it's hard to beat this. Also for the purposes of this, only the Sailor Man version from Mexico or USA is appropriate. I have not profiled the latest Tulip variety. If anyone wants a profile for the tulip variety, send some letter sized paper my way and the profile will be made. In the meantime.. Costco paper with the sailor printed on the package.
REFILL INK:
Finally and this is important, the inks must be from Precision Colors with the correct CLI-8 colors per Image Specialists only because the profile is a specified printer ink paper combination. I don't know if MIS ink is the same anymore but only those using it can tell by the results they achieve.
Next the links for downloads of the profiles, trial software and test images.
Last edited by mikling (07/26/2010 9:05:56 pm)
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Printer Profile Link:
http://uploading.com/files/a71dmm66/iP4 … igh_N.icm/
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Qimage 30 day free trial
Don't install until you are ready with everything else.
http://www.ddisoftware.com/qimage/downloads.htm
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Adobe Photoshop Elements Version 8 - 30 day free trial
http://download.cnet.com/Adobe-Photosho … 57110.html
OR
http://tryit.adobe.com/us/photoshopelements/?sdid=EQDMF
Again don't install until you are ready.
Version 6 and newer supports Color Management. Check around Craigslist as some folks get these free and would pretty give them away.
Last edited by mikling (07/31/2010 10:11:20 pm)
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TEST IMAGES
I will use the Fuji sRGB Test Image
http://www.northlight-images.co.uk/down … _page.html
This is the one just above the Black and White Images. If you have the time, download all the images.
When the profile and the inks are used the print will look identical to what you see on your monitor (assuming your monitor is accurate but even if not will be close to the point the print is more accurate than the monitor)
The following is also a very good evaluation test image.
http://www.outbackprint.com/printingins … essay.html
This link explains what you should be looking for in the printed image
http://www.outbackprint.com/printingins … essay.html
Last edited by mikling (07/27/2010 11:43:09 am)
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Blimey Mike, you have been busy...
Later this summer I will have a profile for the iP4500 when I visit my sister in British Columbia. (A printer addict that walks with a profiling package.)
LOL... You win the printer addict award I think... 
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Mikling:
What a fantastic thread idea. So far very clear and easy to follow guides. Hats off to you for pulling these important issues together for the forum. (also good way to encourage Precision Colors' Image Specialist ink use, which is an easy decision due to its superb quality IMO 
)
Looking forward to your next installment.
Last edited by stratman (07/28/2010 3:37:36 pm)
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Mike excellent idea
I have been looking into offering profiling for my clients who dabble in photography. As you know I use Image Specialist inks, the info you and anyone else provides will be a great help in choosing the best software/hardware for this purpose.
Looking forward to learning, and helping down the road.
Wanda
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The instructions will be for Windows only. I do not own any Apple products not because I don't like Apple but because I was always a PC person.
After downloading the profile, you can right click on the profile and choose to install. If the right click does not work, you can place the profile directly in the following folder on C: drive
windows/system32/spool/drivers/color
The right click will install the driver into this folder automatically. All color profiles for the windows system will be found in this folder including the ones installed by the printer driver for OEM paper ink combinations.
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