topic Re: printing gray colors in Professional Photo Printers

printing gray colors

donvassallo — Sun, 01 May 2016 00:31:01 GMT

Why do my gray colors print with a red tint?

Re: printing gray colors

Tiffany — Sun, 01 May 2016 00:42:17 GMT

Hi Donvassallo,

To have a better understanding of your issue, please let everyone know the model printer you have, the operating system (Windows Vista/7/8 or Mac OS 10.X) you are using and the software you are using to print.

If this is a time-sensitive matter, our US-based technical support team is standing by, ready to help 24/7 via Email athttp://bitly.com/CanonEmail or by phone at 1-800-OK-CANON (1-800-652-2666) weekdays between 10 AM and 10 PM ET (7 AM to 7 PM PT).

Thanks!

Re: printing gray colors

donvassallo — Sun, 01 May 2016 00:56:08 GMT

Using Win 10 and Canon Pro9000 Mark2 printer. All my gray elephants from painter 11 program have a reddish tint. Why is this and what can i do about it?

Re: printing gray colors

jrhoffman75 — Sun, 01 May 2016 12:12:31 GMT

1. Are you using the updated Windows 10 drivers?

2. What paper and paper settings are you using?

Re: printing gray colors

donvassallo — Sun, 01 May 2016 15:01:38 GMT

I am using Canon matte photo paper anf the proper paper settings with XPS driver. Seems to be a failing of the Pro 9000 Mark2.. Only the gray-black colors seem to be effected. Why could this be? Printing is OK on my wife's HP 5510.

Re: printing gray colors

jrhoffman75 — Sun, 01 May 2016 15:28:03 GMT

Do you have another photo related software you could print from?

Download and print the test image in this link:

http://www.outbackphoto.com/printinginsights/pi049/essay.html

Re: printing gray colors

donvassallo — Sun, 01 May 2016 15:50:38 GMT

I have the same problem with this printer with Corel Painter and with Photoshop CS5 with both Matte and Glossy Photo.

I have calibrated with PhotoMonKi anf Win 10 display settings with little change. Images that do not have a lot of gray tones seem OK.

Don

Re: printing gray colors

jrhoffman75 — Sun, 01 May 2016 16:03:50 GMT

I recall a moderator post on this. Give Canon a call at 1-800-OK-CANON.

Re: printing gray colors

ebiggs1 — Wed, 04 May 2016 15:16:24 GMT

Don,

I typed out this suggestion some time ago because folks seem to have some difficulties getting the Pro series of printer going.

It may help you, I hope so.

"It is easier to set the printer to match the monitor.

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 print settings and color matching. You know how to do this? I prefer Photoshop CS6 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-on to do this. No additional software or gadgets, etc. No monkeys, no spiders, nothing!

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 see 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 slightly 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 CS6, 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."

Yes I know some of that doesn't pertain to B&W or gray toned prints but in total it does. It is physically impossible print all 256 gray-scale tones with one black ink cartridge. Can't do it. Some printer have two, three or more black and/or gray inks. The Pro series printers rely on all the inks to accomplish B&W. Yeah, that's right, all the inks! This sometimes gives a tint to your prints. I have seen greenish to reddish tone mostly. The most important part of this is the paper, however. Get in touch with Red River Paper Company and ask for the best B&W paper for the Canon Pro printers. They have a ton of info on Canon printers.

Hope this helps,

Re: printing gray colors

donvassallo — Sun, 08 May 2016 14:24:53 GMT

Thanks for your informative thread. I am on my way to good enough from real bad color cast with this printer.

Don