Pixma Pro-100 printing very dark

[kmyers]

Hi All, 

I just purchased my Pro-100 and installed last night. I upgraded from an HP that was strictly CMYK (only 4 ink). I installed according to the instructions, but my prints seem to be coming out noticably darker than they should be. The lime greens are printing a darker kelly green. The bright blues are printing a darker royal blue. The bright reds are printing a very dark red. The pinks are printing a dark shade of pink. Skin tones are much, much darker than they should be. 

I am printing from Adobe programs (Illustrator, Photoshop, and Pro - all CS6). Am I missing a setting somewhere? On my previous printer, I would choose "preserve CMYK primaries" and it printed perfectly. Now, I can't seem to get my prints a normal shade. I'm not attempting to "match my monitor", just simply trying to get the colors closer to their true color. I've unchecked preserve CMYK primaries and checked to have the printer decide the colors, but neither of those options seem to be helping. 

I called Canon support, but they were unable to help me. He had me put my settings all back to default and test print. When that didn't work he stated "well printers vary per brand so theres really nothing we can do to fix it". I can't imagine that this great of a printer prints that far off on colors. 

Any help is very greatly appreciated!

[SEichorn]

IDK I am going to assume the IJ version. 7DMK ll, 7 D, 40D, and a 5t Rebel . 10-18 lens, 17-70. 100-400 mm'L' 70-300 Tamron, 18-200 mm Sigma, and another couple, I can't remember !

[joyfulsouthern]

Hey there! I know this is an older thread but, I am hoping you can help me! When I initially purchased my Canon Pro 100 I was able to turn off printer control but, I cannot remember now how I did it.

Recently, my windows PC updatetd and ever since then I can no longer get my printer to print the bright manner it previously did. The first thing I am searching for is how to check and see if this has someone defaulted back to factory. Help!

[jrhoffman75]

Welcome to the forum joyfulsouthern.

Need some additional info - what software are you printing from?

Are you comparing similar images?

As a benchmark, download and print the test image from the following link. Do not make any adjustments to the image - just open it and send it to the printer using the settings you usually use.

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

[tollesonanne]

I recently purchased this printer and find that the photos appear too dark and not as sharp. I have spoken to 5 tech support people at Canon and still have the problem. I may have to sell it on ebay.

[jrhoffman75]

See this.

http://community.usa.canon.com/t5/image/serverpage/image-id/6982i6FA3D13B4B9AF7A3/image-size/origina...

[tollesonanne]

How do I disable the printer controlling colors?

[jrhoffman75]

The image I posted shows the settings. In Photoshop select Print. When the window opens, starting at top:

1. Under Printer Setup select your printer.

2. Click Print Settings; select Main

3. Choose your Media Type and paper Source

4. Choose Print Quality

5. In Color/Intensity select None and then select Set

6. Select matching and choose None

7. Choose None

8. Back in Photoshop in the Color Management section choose Photoshop Manages Colors and then choose the correect paper profile.

9. Select Print

But, also be sure that your monitor is set up correctly; most people have monitor too bright if they haven't made any adjustments. As a start, set Brightness and Contrast to the 50% level.

See this:

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

[tollesonanne]

Thanks so much!  I work on a Macbook Pro. Could that be part of the problem?

[ebiggs1]

No the Mac is not the problem.  Do this.................

You can not set the printer to match the monitor.  You must set the monitor to match the printer.

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 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.

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, 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 printing all at the same time.  Use only Canon branded products, paper and ink, until it is a go.  Use a real printer USB cable.  Not just any old USB cable. Get everything right before you explore.

[SmallPhics]

Hello ebiggs1. Would you mind explaining how to do the steps you listed above? Im using a Macbook Pro and trying to figure out how to "turn off every bit of control" my Canon Prixma Pro 100 has. Thanks in advance!