Printer not printing correct colors?

[bmay33]

Hey ladies and gents! I'm new here, but I've been lurking for a LONG time now.lol I've been recently trying to do my first print LO, and I keep running into the same problem, so I'm wondering if someone can help.

I'm putting my LO together, flattening image, then saving and trying to print. I use an HP 960C inkjet printer, and I've made the settings so that it allows my program(PSCS2) choose the colors of the LO. A friend of mine who makes her own kits, recommended checking to make sure all colors are within "gamut". I did so, and only a very small area on one of the photos turns grey. Yet the entire layout is printing adifferent color than it should. Its supposed to be a mauve color scheme, yet it prints a lavender/purple (depending on my PS settings, it can go to either light or dark purple).

I've tried adjusting ALL settings in PS and my printer both, to no avail. I've got brand new cartridges, so I don't think they need to be cleaned. I'm out of ideas on what to do.. I would really like to be able to print my LO's instead of paying to have the printed, because I'm doing a large scale project for mother's day (6 albums.. roughly 20-25 pgs a piece!!) for my mom and MIL and all of mine and Dh's grandmothers.

Any advice on what settings to use, or a way to get my LO's to print the way they "appear" on screen?(oh, andyes, I changed my monitor settings as well and tried viewing the LO on all three default profiles.. it doesn't change, so I'm not "seeing" one color, when its actually another.)

I would be VERY appreciative of any light anyone can shed. This is a huge project for me, and I have 2 kids in diapers as well.. so I need to getstarted on it ASAP in order to have it complete by my deadline!

Crystal

[MomLid]

The way that it was explained to me - and anyone please tell me if I have it wrong - most designing is in RGB (Red/Green/Blue) color, and most printers print CYMK (Cyan/Yellow/Magenta/Black). In many ranges the 2 have many colors that are the same, but there are also many that are different. You may want to try designing in CYMK color to have it more "true" to what you see on your monitor.

[bmay33]

I actually tried that MomLid.. I tried printing in RGB and the CYMK modes.. the CYMK was a little "brighter" than the RGB, but it was still purple instead of mauve like it should have been. I don't know whats going on with it, and I have to say, I doubt its on my printer end,because plain pictures and such print just as I see them on screen.. so I'm thinking its something to do with the color abilities on the kits/LO's..

Thanks for the reply :) I wasn't expecting to get one so soon! LOL

[premier]

This could be caused by a number of factors. First, have you ever used this printer to print out photos before? Were the colors printed correct? If so, what's different?

HP printers are known to print off color unless you use their premium plus photo paper. The results are drastic depending on the photo paper you use with your printer. What paper are you using?

"I've made the settings so that it allows my program(PSCS2) choose the colors "

That is probably causing your incorrect photo colors.

Printing from PS CS is confusing. You should select your printer profile from the list.

You can test if the incorrect print settings you selected are the cause of the problem. You can print from another application that is more basic and will default to the printer's profile. You can save your LO to a digital camera card and print the photo directly from the camera to the printer.

You have to learn the correct print settings in PS for your particular printer.

[Suzyanneau]

You could try clicking "custom" settings and click "advanced". Then click on "no color adjustment" and that should help your problem.

[bmay33]

thanks ladies :) I had to reformat my pc yesterday, and im currently re-installing my ps, so I'll try those ideas in just a bit :) Thanks again :)

[bmay33]

ugh!! Still not working correctly. I have a bday coming up so I think I'll ask for a new printer..LOL

[aussiesunset]

I had the same problem for a little while and then I looked in the help section in PS. It said to use "print with preview" with the settings
colour management
sourse space .doc
print space .bj colour printer ( or your printer)
intent . relative colourmetric
tick the "use black point"

this worked for me plus I had the ICM switched on in my printer preferences.

Hope this helps. there is a lot of help in the help section in PS to help with Calibrating as well.

[bmay33]

thanks for all the input ladies. Unfortunatly none of it has worked.. I think my printer is just weird :P

I did however, manage to come up with a way to make it lighter when printing, than it has been (its been darkening the colors a lot.. mauve would be turned to purple etc) so I added an adjustment layer to the top of the LO, and played with it a little bit to get it a bit lighter, then tried printing, and its still not EXACTLY whats on my screen.. but it a lot better than the prints that are so dark.

Thanks again for all your help :) I'm still hoping I can find a way to make it print right. I'm thinking about printing from every single one of the profiles tomorrow.. just to see which one looks best..lol I'm desperate at this point.

[Suzyanneau]

It may not be your printer, it could be your monitor. I have no idea how to callibrate a monitor to a printer, so can't be any help there sorry.

[hoskinsjan]

This is just a stab in the dark (because I really don't know much about this topic), but have you recently changed your ink cartridges at all?? And did you use the cartridges recommended for your printer?? Or, maybe the ink is getting old if you don't print off that often. Just a thought.

[bmay33]

turns out the problem was that everything was in RGB mode.. for some reason.. my old printer was backwards.I had to use CYMK mode to get it to print right (and even then it was slighty off so I just bought a new printer)

[Hattitudes]

turns out the problem was that everything was in RGB mode.. for some reason.. my old printer was backwards.I had to use CYMK mode to get it to print right (and even then it was slighty off so I just bought a new printer)

I am wondering what Program you are using?

It definately isn't your printer that is defective. it is its color profile that is way off (ICC profile)

If you are using Photoshop 7 or later, then maybe I can help.
first off, the only way to get true colors out of your monitor is to buy or borrow a monitor calibrator. they are around 300 dollars. sounds like a lot of money, but to keep you monitor accurate it should be done every 2 weeks or so. so if you divide that price into how many times per year you will use it, it isn't to expensive.
A company called Gretagmacbeth sells an excellent one.
If you can't afford one, then Adobe Photoshop has a program built in called Adobe gamma.
it is very easy to use, but since you have to use your own judgement it is not as accurate then a hardware calibrator.

sorry I have to go, but I will post more soon....kids calling :)

[bmay33]

thanks Hattitudes :) I already bought a new printer tho.. hubby is now using the old one for just normal everyday printing and its working fine.. the new one is good too for LO printing. Colors match perfectly ;)

[Suzyanneau]

I'm pleased you are happy with the new printer. What did you end up buying?

[bmay33]

I wound up getting an HP 9300.. it won' print borderless, but I am printing on 13x19 paper, and cutting out the 12x12, and making two smaller 6x6's on the same page to prevent waste to keep or give away as mini-albums ;)