topic Re: Flat Print quality MX922 in Desktop Inkjet Printers

Flat Print quality PIXMA MX922

Max01 — Wed, 12 Mar 2025 12:15:54 GMT

Canon MX922. MacBook Pro Ventura 13 / Apple 27" Thunderbolt monitor Photoshop/lightroom

Datacolor Spyder X Calibration

Recently my printed images appear very flat, washed out and lack any degree of contrast. This is true on glossy photo paper and standard paper (which I would expect for standard paper). I've read comments indicating that standard print quality solves the problem but both standard and best quality are equally poor. I've tried different types of photo paper including Kodak and Canon. I'm using Canon ink. I've printed from both from the Apple desktop and from within Lightroom Classic) with identical (poor) results. My images look great on my calibrated monitor and also when emailed/texted to other devices (iPad, iPhone, etc.). The I'm printing from full resolution photographs from a full Frame Nikon Camera. This is a recent problem as photo prints used to be sharp and colorful,,,, as expected. I've tried numerous print settings and color profiles but the prints are consistently very poor. All of my software is up to date and I've just dowloaded/installed the most recent drivers for the printer. I've also run maintenance procedures on the printer and all looks good there.

Just not sure where to go from here. Hoping someone can give me some ideas and/or point me in the right direction. Thanks for your help.

Re: Flat Print quality MX922

jrhoffman75 — Sun, 09 Mar 2025 03:02:43 GMT

Even if you installed the Canon driver verify that the OS is using the IJSeries driver and not the AirPrint driver.

Re: Flat Print quality MX922

Max01 — Sun, 09 Mar 2025 20:43:59 GMT

Thank you for your advice. I verified the printer was in fact using the AirPrint driver so I created a new printer and verified this one was using the IJ series driver (IJ Printer Profile 2005 - which appears to be the latest?). Unfortunately the print result was the same. Lack of contrast and washed out colors.......

I performed an additional test attempting to eliminate the Mac from the equation. I took a very good 4 x 6 portrait, scanned it and printed from the scan. The printed result was somewhat better than the printed images from the Mac in that it had a slightly more color and detail, but it feels far short of the original and was definitely not acceptable.

Any additional thoughts our ideas will be greatly appreciated.

Wondering if it's time for a new printer? I don't really want to replace the MX922 if the quality issue can be resolved but if not, thinking about the Canon ET 8500......

Re: Flat Print quality MX922

jrhoffman75 — Sun, 09 Mar 2025 21:03:39 GMT

1. have you run a nozzle check to be sure all colors are printing correctly?

2. when I print from Lightroom I have LrC manage color. I select the ICC profile in LrC for the paper I am using and select the paper in the printer driver.

Re: Flat Print quality MX922

Max01 — Sun, 09 Mar 2025 21:17:11 GMT

Oops, Epson ET 8500.

Re: Flat Print quality MX922

Max01 — Mon, 10 Mar 2025 00:53:08 GMT

I'll try to respond in the same order as your response:

Nozzle check appears correct, though colors appear a bit soft? Colors are consistent and appear correct
I select Gloss to match my photo paper type.
Dots at 300 DPI
Sharpening Standard
Profile Canon IJ Printer Profile 2005
Intent Perceptual

It doesn't seem to matter what changes I make, the printed output remains consistent/unchanged (poor).

Further Testing: I printed directly from a USB Drive. Original image sharp and full of color. Printed image was better than those printed from Mac in terms of sharpness and contrast. Colors were true but very light and seriously lacking in color intensity.

Re: Flat Print quality MX922

jrhoffman75 — Mon, 10 Mar 2025 02:46:20 GMT

Try selecting the ICC profile matching your paper name.

Print this test image. Just open it in LrC and print using the settings for your paper. Do not make any adjustments to the image regardless of how it looks on the monitor display.

PrinterEvaluationImage_V002_ProPhoto.tif

Printing Insights #49

Re: Flat Print quality MX922

Max01 — Mon, 10 Mar 2025 04:27:42 GMT

Display: Image is sharp and vibrant. Print: See attached. This is a much better result than I have been getting but colors are still muted somewhat.

Re: Flat Print quality MX922

Max01 — Mon, 10 Mar 2025 04:31:03 GMT

This is an example of a recent print. Actually, this scan is better than the print. Colors are deeper than original but still far from the LRC image which has great depth and color, equal in quality to the test image you sent when both are opened in LRC.

Re: Flat Print quality MX922

Max01 — Mon, 10 Mar 2025 04:37:07 GMT

Again this scan of a recent print is somewhat better than the original. It's darker, with more contrast and color. Quite different however from the sharp colorful image in LRC.

Re: Flat Print quality MX922

jrhoffman75 — Mon, 10 Mar 2025 11:08:01 GMT

What is the name of the Canon paper you ar using?

Re: Flat Print quality MX922

jrhoffman75 — Mon, 10 Mar 2025 12:37:12 GMT

Where do you see this info? "(IJ Printer Profile 2005 - which appears to be the latest?"

Driver InfoLightroom ICC Profiles

Re: Flat Print quality MX922

Max01 — Mon, 10 Mar 2025 14:30:17 GMT

Photo Paper Plus Glossy II.

Re: Flat Print quality MX922

Max01 — Mon, 10 Mar 2025 14:38:13 GMT

It appears as a profile option on the LRC Print screen. I am assuming it is the latest because I just downloaded/installed it from Cannon's web site. Now, the default Color Profile option shows Canon II Color Printer Profile 2005. I believe that is the profile I used to print the calibration screen you sent me.

Re: Flat Print quality MX922

jrhoffman75 — Mon, 10 Mar 2025 14:45:20 GMT

I don’t know what that profile is. I always use profile that is named for the paper I am using.

Re: Flat Print quality MX922

Max01 — Mon, 10 Mar 2025 14:59:31 GMT

Hmmmm. In LRC, I only see the options included on my last reply. If I print from the desktop, I see

Re: Flat Print quality MX922

Max01 — Mon, 10 Mar 2025 15:04:35 GMT

Might it be that the profiles available to this printer are more limited? I have read that criticism about other Canon printers. Perhaps higher end printers have greater access to print profiles? What I don't understand is that I used to get excellent prints from this printer. I have not a clue what changed........

Re: Flat Print quality MX922

jrhoffman75 — Mon, 10 Mar 2025 15:59:41 GMT

Maybe try the SG profile.

Re: Flat Print quality MX922

Max01 — Mon, 10 Mar 2025 16:50:17 GMT

Better but still a bit flat. Using Canon MX 920 series SG2/LU2.

Re: Flat Print quality MX922

Max01 — Mon, 10 Mar 2025 16:53:20 GMT

Image from Lightroom Classic. Might there be a calibration issue?