How to intensify colors on new Imagegraf Pro 1000

[pcunningham2008]

I received my new Canon imagegraf Pro 1000  about a week ago and it prints great.  EXCEPT that the colors all look greyed out!  How can I intensify the colors to better reflect the colors in my Corel Print Shop Pro and Publisher files?  I've read all the color management and color calibration info in the user manual and it doesn't speak to any settings to help get the color right.  Can anyone help?  TIA!

Frustrated user! Patty

[pcunningham2008]

Thanks.  I'm getting there.  

Patty

[ebiggs1]

"... still not as bright as the screen shows."

This is very common I see it all the time when folks get a photo printer. But first off go d/l all the Canon provided for free software for the Pro-1000. Use it instead of whatever you are using now. Especially get DPP4. You will need your camera serial number for it.

Now do this, 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, chances of getting great looking prints goes down.   However, there are only a few things that you need to be concerned with. Most people set their monitors too bright or they come set too bright.  You must get the gray-scale very close.  Then get the brightness very close and you need the contrast very close, too. These settings are easily adjusted in Windows in the Display settings tool.

I use Photoshop where you can adjust the saturation levels with a slider. Having your monitor set more closely to what the printer is printing makes a huge difference. You must not let the printer control anything.  You can do this with the Canon My Printer under the Printer Settings tab. Under "Manual" you can make tweaks to the print if needed.  Let your software, I use Photoshop, handle color management. 

[pcunningham2008]

Thanks, EB.  This is what seems to be the going practice.  However, I am at a loss as to how to proceed with my software.  I use Corel PaintShop Pro on a PC laptop with Windows 10.  Things print fine on my HP printer, but the quality isn't as high as I'd like to print notecards and artistic prints.  So getting the color right is vital.

I have downloaded all the files I could find relative to supplemental apps for the Pro 1000.  I don't have, don't see and Canon doesn't seem to know what I want called DPP4.  Any other info on how to find that file or coordinate my screen/printer would be helpful.  

Thanks much! Patty

[ebiggs1]

"You will need your camera and serial number for it."

I put my camera in the support tab, 1DX and it brings up this d/l page....

https://www.usa.canon.com/support/p/eos-1d-x

You need to do the same with whatever Canon camera you have and you need the serial number.

Always use Canon brand inks and paper when you are first setting up your new printer.

[pcunningham2008]

I may need to change my paper.  I don't use a camera, only my iPhone, which has worked great for several years.  Thanks for your input.  I'll get some Canon paper and see if I can massage the settings after that.

Thanks again!

Patty 

[ebiggs1]

"I don't use a camera, only my iPhone,..."

Oh, OK, now I see why you use Corel. I used to have it way back in the stone age. I will be of very little to no help with how to set it up by now. A better solution might be to get Photoshop Elements which is on sale right now. It is basically a watered down version of the full Photoshop but still with a lot of functionality. 

Follow John's detailed advice for setting up the printer software. Then in either Corel or better PSE you can adjust the actual photo. Make sure you set the monitor up like I advised. You'll do fine.

BTW, it is always best to use Canon brand paper and ink to set up the printer for the first time. You will get the correct ICC profiles for Canon papers already installed when you instal the Pro-1000 software. If you buy off brand paper the manufacturer should supply you with the ICC profile for their paper. Red River is a great place to get fancy art type paper and they are excellent with their support and offer ICC profiles for all their papers. They are also a good place for advice on setting up Canon photo printers.

[pcunningham2008]

Great info.  Thanks again for your expertise!

Patty

[ebiggs1]

Patty remember the ICC profile is what sets the color gamut of the paper. It is critical to get the right one if you are after the best possible print. On the last screen shot John displayed there is the "Media type" tab. That is where you pick the ICC profile of your choice.

If you are using off brand photo paper you will need to install the profiles yourself.