Pixma Pro 100 - Color Issues

[faile486]

I'm fairly new to color management, but so far, it's been a NIGHTMARE.  I'm hoping I can get some guidance on what to try next 😃

I'm not printing photos, I'm printing digital artwork.  Each piece has a limited color palette, close to 10-15 colors.  I thought that would make it easier, but it doesn't seem like it so far.  I did what I think a lot of new people do - made something in photoshop, printed it out, and despaired at the color discrepancy.  I started researching color management, learned about ICC profiles, but couldn't find any for my printer (an old Brother office printer).  I decided to buy a ColorMunki Photo so I could calibrate my monitor and my printer.  I also purchased some Canon Semi-Gloss 8x10 photo paper, three different types of sticker paper from onlinelabels.com, cause I figured the ColorMunki would solve all my color problems.

I got the ColorMunki, profiled both devices, and did a few test prints.  They weren't any better than the ones without a profile - different, but not really better.  I was getting closer results printing from Chrome without any color management on some pieces!

I posted on Reddit, and the general consensus was my printer just wasn't up to snuff.  I'd been eyeing the Pixma Pro 100 for more than a year, it was on sale, so I bought it.  Profiled it, printed, and the results were again slightly better, but still not good.

I did some more research and came across DisplayCAL, which is a more detailed version of the ColorMunki default software?  Again, I saw a slight improvement.

I'm now looking at getting a new monitor, but this is getting INSANELY expensive, and I'd like to be sure I've exhausted all other options first.  A new monitor is looking like it'll be $400+, and not as large as the one I'm currently using.  I really like my current monitor.  I've got a show in two weeks.  Right now, I'm doing guess and check color correction, just so I have SOMETHING printed to sell.  I've used over half my original pack of 50 paper on this, but at least it's pretty cheap on Amazon right now.

The prints tend to come out much darker and less saturated than they appear on screen.  I was able to get the largest improvement yet by turning my monitor brightness and contrast down very low (it actually makes it difficult for me to use the monitor for anything other than color correcting at these settings), much lower than the PhotoMunki was saying they should be, using either version of the software.

I've profiled both my monitor and my printer dozens of times.  I really have no idea what to try.  Whatever I do, it seems like my monitor is displaying colors that my printer just won't print.

Other info:

• We bought daylight balanced bulbs for my workroom, it can be either SUPER bright, normal indoor lighting, or dark.  Makes little difference.
• I've tried setting the image mode to both RGB and CMYK and haven't noticed a difference.
• I've tried using Edit > Convert to Profile - Adobe RGB, sRGB, the printer profile from the ColorMunki, the default Canon 100 profile.
• Uninstalled f.lux after realizing I forgot to deactivate it during one of the monitor profiling attempts.

[jrhoffman75]

Let me try to help syvehc.

A few initial questions:  1. what computer operating system? 2. can you run a nozzle check to be all nozzles are firing? 3. can you post a screen shot of the settings in the software that you are using?

[syvehc]

I am using windows 8.1 and I can run a nosile check, but I don't think that will help.  I will post a screen shot.

[syvehc]

Ok I got it now.  Using On1 there is a area where I can pick printer profile and intent.   I'm using the canon easy-photoprint Pro Standard profile, that seems to be working pretty good.  I also make sure I turn off any printer managed functions in the printer options.  I'm sure there is a better profile, but this one seem to be doing the trick and I'm tired of blowing though all my ink making this work.  Since everyone is addicted to photoshop I'd figured I would mention it, since I don't use it.  Part of my problem is trying to print within windows and not using On1.

Thanks for the help and I hope this helps someone else.

[jrhoffman75]

Glad you've got something you are happy with.

https://www.on1.com/blog/printing/

[joyfulsouthern]

Hi Everyone! Sorry to grab onto an old discussion but, I am needing help. I have a Canon PRO 100- I use all Canon branded inks. I have long worked out getting the colors to properly print thankfully but, randomly this past week I have begun having an issue with the CYAN tank. It is printing purple in places where it should be a navy/dark blue and it's doing something crazy with greens on SOME things. 

Background: I replaced the Cyan tank on Monday (5 days ago) and this is when it started. Although the printer is showing a FULL tank- if I examine the tank itself it looks almost empty with very little liquid in the bottom but, I guess it's just in the sponge?

I have run the test sheet and the entire block of color for the CYAN tank is empty- no lines nothing at all. I have performed 3 regular cleanings and 1 deep ceaning as I would assume it's clogged and still the test print sheet remains the same. I used a macbook pro to do all the testing and cleaning. 

What am I missing? Sincerely grateful for your help! Jennifer 

[jrhoffman75]

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@joyfulsouthern wrote:

Hi Everyone! Sorry to grab onto an old discussion but, I am needing help. I have a Canon PRO 100- I use all Canon branded inks. I have long worked out getting the colors to properly print thankfully but, randomly this past week I have begun having an issue with the CYAN tank. It is printing purple in places where it should be a navy/dark blue and it's doing something crazy with greens on SOME things. 

Background: I replaced the Cyan tank on Monday (5 days ago) and this is when it started. Although the printer is showing a FULL tank- if I examine the tank itself it looks almost empty with very little liquid in the bottom but, I guess it's just in the sponge?

I have run the test sheet and the entire block of color for the CYAN tank is empty- no lines nothing at all. I have performed 3 regular cleanings and 1 deep cleaning as I would assume it's clogged and still the test print sheet remains the same. I used a macbook pro to do all the testing and cleaning. 

What am I missing? Sincerely grateful for your help! Jennifer 

---

Perhaps its a bad cartridge and the printer isn't reading the chip?

Based on your description it sounds like cartridge is now empty. 

If you put in a new cartridge and it still doesn't print a nozzle check correctly the it would imply the head has failed.

That's all I can think of.

[joyfulsouthern]

Here is hoping! I am anxiously awaiting a delivery from Amazon today so I can test it. I agree that it seems like the cartridge could be the culprit- I am hoping it is since this is the easiest option. If the head is bad... is that repairable?

[joyfulsouthern]

Replaced the CYAN cartridge and all is good. Yay! Thanks for your help as always.

[jrhoffman75]

[shelleyaldrich]

Hi Guys!  I am also jumping on this late, but I see that there are responses still 🙂

I am trying to print on my Canon Pixma Pro 100 and all my art prints are coming out dark - nothing like the originals.

Some background:

I am using Canon inks and Matte Canon Photo Paper

I am using Windows/PC and Adobe Photoshop Elements to Print

I am printing scanned artwork

In settings:  Matte Photo Paper/High Resolution/Printer manages color

I have tried to use RadLab to adjust the lightness of the print, but it is overly sensitive - up to 30% lights on still looks the same and then it jumps to an overly bright print

Any suggestions on how I can match the real work?

Thank you in advance