Flat Print quality PIXMA MX922

[Max01]

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.    

[jrhoffman75]

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

[Max01]

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...... 

[jrhoffman75]

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.

 

[Max01]

Oops, Epson ET 8500.  

[Max01]

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.  

[jrhoffman75]

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

[Max01]

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.  

[Max01]

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. 

[Max01]

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.