topic Re: Noob needs setup and getting started tutorial for PRO-10 in Professional Photo Printers

Noob needs setup and getting started tutorial for PRO-10

fh-hillsboro — Sat, 28 Mar 2015 13:02:49 GMT

Just got my PRO-10 so I am a total noob. I can print, but the prints are too dark by about 2 stops. I need some kind of tutorial or cookbook to help me get the knobs and dials set properly in Lightroom, CS6, Print Studio, my monitors and the printer itself. Is there such a thing? I have as yet been unable to find it on the internets. Please send help.....

Re: Noob needs setup and getting started tutorial for PRO-10

the_traveler — Sat, 28 Mar 2015 15:53:16 GMT

get Canon Print Studio Pro - a free download - that will manage prints from either LR of PS.

if your monitor isn't calibrated, this is a potential issue and the reason why your prints are dark.

Many monitors are too bright from the factory.

Re: Noob needs setup and getting started tutorial for PRO-10

fh-hillsboro — Sat, 28 Mar 2015 18:17:59 GMT

My monitors are calibrated with a Spyder 3 Pro. They are both new HP monitors. I am running Print Studio Pro. Things are still too dark - like by about 2 stops which is a lot. Uncertain about profiles and if LR/PS should manage the color or if the printer should, etc. Seems like there's a bunch of possibilities for settings. I am slowly working my way through the Canon on-Screen manual so maybe I'll stumble across an "aha" or two. I don't mind increasing the exposure in LR/PS but that is kind of a trial-and-error approach. Need some consistency.

Re: Noob needs setup and getting started tutorial for PRO-10

ebiggs1 — Mon, 30 Mar 2015 16:27:59 GMT

I will try .......................

First, you must not let the printer set anything. Turn off every bit off control it has. You can do this with the Canon My Printer under the Printer Settings tab. Do you know how? I will guess, yes, for now but if you don't get back to me.

Second, you need to have your photo editor (like Photoshop) handle all the settings and color matching. You know how to do this? I prefer Photoshop and I use AdobeRGB color space.

And lastly, it is essential you get some settings on your monitor that somewhat matches what the printer is printing. Your printer may be doing exactly what you are telling it to do and you have no idea it is, because your monitor is so far off. If you don't do this step, you can forget the other steps. However, there are only a few things that you need to be concerned with. You don't need any fancy extra add-ins to do this. No additional software or gadgets, no spiders or monkeys, etc.

Most people set their monitors too bright.

You must get the gray-scale very close. You need to get the brightness very close and you need the contrast very close.

After you do these things you can make adjustments to your prints by just looking at your screen. Because you know the monitor and printer are on the same level. One more point, you can NOT get a printer to print every color exactly the way you saw it. It isn't possible as all colors and adjustments effect all others. My goal is to get the skin tones right. That is what people notice most. Remember you are dealing with two different disciplines here. One is colored light and the other is colored dyes. They are not the same thing.

For instance, I know my Pro-100 tends to print darker than what I see on the monitor (typical). So, I automatically know to set it's prints 1/2 to one stop brighter in Photoshop, in my case. It also prints with a slightly warn tone. Most of the time, with portraits especially, this if OK but sometimes it is not. In that case I adjust the "temp" setting slightly cooler in PS.

All the Canon photo printers I have ever seen have this warm/magenta cast. Canon engineers must prefer this look. It can not be changed. You need to "fix" it in post.

Make sure you have the correct ICC profiles and you are using Canon brand ink and paper until you get good with the printer. Very, very important, otherwise you don't know if the printer is doing exactly what you are telling it to or not.

Important is, use the USB connection until everything is right. You are just adding another issue when you try to set up the printing and the wireless all at the same time. Just like using Canon branded products until it is a go. Use a real printer USB cable. Not just any old USB cable. Get everything right before you explore.