Printing from Elements 8

[04Stang]

Hi, I know this is an age old problem but I can't find the info I'm after and I'm getting through paper trying to get this sorted

I have just installed a Canon Pixma 6150 and the prints are very flat, The images look great on the screen and I know they are OK, if I get them printed by a photlab they come out fine.

I am guessing its down to colour profiles in elements, can any one point me in the right direction so I don't waste more paper and ink than I need to

I've tried Elements, Printer comtrolled colour management but only get different levels of 'flat', paper type matches what i am using (photo paper) they are nowhere near the 'punchy' look the printer should be delivering

Windows XP and Elements 8

Thanks in advance

Richard

[GeoffWessex]

OK - this may be an obvious one, but if you selected "Elements controls Color Management" - have you made sure you switched off 'Color Management' in the printer driver controls ('Printer Preferences')?

Likewise, using "Printer manages Colors" will require you to make sure you've switched the above 'Color Management' in the Printer Preferences back on again.

And you've definitely selected the correct paper type - remembering that a Canon driver really does work best with Canon paper.

Then, if your image is in the AdobeRGB color space it will always print slightly 'flatter' than one in sRGB. Yes, there are more colours in AdobeRGB but that also means more subtle tone differences.

[04Stang]

Thanks for the suggestions Geoff

Yes I am using PS Colour management and I do have the correct paper type set.

I have the drive colour management turned off and the colour space set to sRGB ICE6 1966-2.1, not sure if that is the best. and the print paper profile is correct

I now have some pucch in the image, the colours do not match the screen (too much red and a bit on the dark side) If I apply a Hue adjustment to the image with Red Channel set to Hue +5 and Saturation -22 and then a brightnes layer set at +65 then I get something nearer the screen so I guess I need to play with the screen settings a little

I was using canon paper and it was selected correctly, i've run out now so will order some more before I 'play' with the settings any more

Thanks

Richard

[GeoffWessex]

When comparing your print to your monitor it's vital to ensure your monitor is calibrated correctly. You say you'll "play with the screen settings a little", but that may not be sufficient. People on various forums are always saying that their prints are darker than their screen, or vice versa..... it's very common. But it's like comparing apples to oranges...... a screen and a sheet of paper are very different in their capabilities. There are a few online 'monitor calibration' software tools - you can get very close without having to buy any kit or installing any new software. This was the first one I found by Googling "monitor calibration online".

[OldBoy]

Also, remember your screen is backlite whereas, a sheet of paper is frontlite.

[04Stang]

Hi

I appreciate the difference between subtractive (print) and addative (screen) oolour and I don't expect it to be perfect match as I know they are different colour spaces

The image on screen looks good (a car on gravel) but when its printed the gravel has a red colour cast and the image is flat

In the past, when I have an Epsom R200 it gave pretty good colours out of the boz, skin tones where what they should be and the images have a punchy look. I got this printer because the reviews I read were good and I know it will produce good prints, if I insert a memory card and print an inmage directly (image is straight out of camera) then it looks good

I'll try the calibration in the link you post and let you know how I get on

One again, thanks for the advice, Its a great printer, just need to get PSE/screen set right

Thanks

richard