Canon MP610 results lack punch

[wavemachine]

Hi,

I previously used an Epson RX560 and bought an MP610 last year from the Canon refurb centre.

My monitor is calibrated with a spyder 3 however the printed results on the Canon look a lot lighter than the screen, I have tried various papers including Kodak, Epson, Ilford and Canon Photo Paper Plus Glossy but the print out looks a lot lighter than the display.

I tried my old Epson RX560 and it matches the display, I also downloaded a sample image from a company that does custom paper profiling and once again the Canon results looked lifeless especially skin tones wheer as the Epson looked far more realistic and matched the image on my display.

The Printer still has some warranty left on it so I am wondering if I should return it or is there something I am overlooking?

I have tried printing from photoshop both letting photoshop manage the colours and the printer.

I have checked the head alignment and made sure the heads are not clogged.

The ink is the original canon ink as supplied with printer.

Any suggestions will be appreciated.

[ap4a]

You say that your monitor is calibrated, but what about the printer?

[wavemachine]

The printer is not calibrated but I am using standard canon paper and selecting the right paper type when printing so it should be using the correct ICC profile.

The colours are way off, I don't expect them to be perfect but expect them to be close i.e. the black fur of my dog to look jet black and skin tones to look realistic.

Am I missing something or do I need to start getting custom profiles for each type of paper?

[ap4a]

Originally Posted by wavemachine

Am I missing something or do I need to start getting custom profiles for each type of paper?

You need to calibrate the printer.

[Forseti]

Originally Posted by ap4a

You need to calibrate the printer.

Sorry, but here I have to disagree somewhat, either that or I am misinterpreting what is meant by 'you need to calibrate the printer' . Using a company called Permajet as an example - the procedure involves printing out their test chart and returning it to them advising the printer and inks in use. They in turn return to you a printer profile for the type of paper you are using (theirs obviously) and you are good to go. It should go without saying that this profile(s) is only good for the combination of paper/ink/printer for which a profile has been calibrated.

In the case of the OP, the profiles have already been supplied for that printer matching the paper selected and on the assumption that OM inks are used so no further action should be necessary. I wonder, when choosing the option of allowing Photoshop to manage the colours the OP has NOT unchecked ICM to be found under the Printer Preferences > Main tab > Colour Intensity > Manual > and then deselecting ICM.

Two further thoughts: (a) a corrupt monitor profile or (b) having read several test reports regarding the MP610 I myself opted for the MP620 which was more highly rated even to the extent that it bettered it's predecessor - the MP630.

[ap4a]

Budget services aside, print companies will use calibrated printers, which allows the profiles used to be produced and interpreted accurately. A home printer is no different, if it can be properly calibrated it should be.

[Forseti]

Originally Posted by ap4a

A home printer is no different, if it can be properly calibrated it should be.

You've aroused my interest. Perhaps you would be so kind as to explain exactly what you mean by 'calibrating' a printer, what it involves and, if possible, provide a couple of tutorial links as to where we can learn more. I believe, rightly or wrongly, that this would be of interest to the majority of forum members as I for one have never heard of anything like it for the home(?) user.

When you print using ICC profiles you are mapping the colour space of the image (sRGB is usually implied if no profile is embedded) into that of the printer/ink/paper combination so I am assuming that your use of the term 'calibrate a printer' must be more of a physical act/thing if ICC profiles for the ink/paper combination along with setting up the printer correctly in the preferences dialogue are not what you are referring to here.

[ap4a]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nR9JWgwXE0w

[Forseti]

Originally Posted by ap4a

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nR9JWgwXE0w

And what this video is clearly showing is the production of an ICC profile as stated 3 mins and 28 seconds into the video and in effect is only producing, at home, the very same thing as I mentioned in my earlier post i.e. printing out an image only in this case sending it away to Permaject. With all respect, I believe you are perhaps a little confused in this regard.

[ap4a]

Originally Posted by Forseti

And what this video is clearly showing is the production of an ICC profile as stated 3 mins and 28 seconds into the video and in effect is only producing, at home, the very same thing as I mentioned in my earlier post i.e. printing out an image only in this case sending it away to Permaject. With all respect, I believe you are perhaps a little confused in this regard.

Sorry, misread your original post. However nothing I've posted disagrees with that, other than the steps involved. I personally wouldn't want to have to send prints off to be checked every time I used a different paper. Calibrating the printer yourself will take that additional step out.