imagePROGRAF PRO-1000 Unable to Print 4x6 on Professional Print & Layout?

[millandr]

It seems I am unable to print small sizes on this software/ Canon Pro 1000.  I am only able to create smaller sizes and use them when selecting plain paper as my media type.  I am looking to print fine art, more specifically on Hahnemuhle 4x6 Photo rag.    No other setting, including the Hahnemuhle am1xs will allow me to select or create a custom 4x6 size.  Is there a way around this?  Or more importantly, why is this?

[ebiggs1]

Let me get this straight. You are saying you can print 4x6 on Canon brand 4x6 paper?  You are saying your ICC print profile for Hahnemuhle 4x6 Photo rag won't let you print 4x6?

[millandr]

I can not print anything other than Generic Photo Matte Paper quality on this size format it seams.  So I can't use the media type canon pro matte, hahne photo rag, any fine art paper in small sizes.

It is the media type I'm having troubles with, ICC applies fine regardless of size.

[ebiggs1]

If the printer works with any paper selecting on 4x6 it shows there isn't anything wrong with the printer. It is functioning like it is told to. This means you have a software or setup issue. It could mean you need to reinstall the software you are using or even the printer driver or perhaps check for an updated driver. Or, it can be as simple as a goof in the software instructions to the printer. What software do you use? I use Photoshop and Lightroom.

If you could not print 4x6 at all, there is likely a printer malfunction.

[millandr]

I use qimage one,  and canon print and layout.   The only option to use 4x6 paper is through manual feed when using fine art media types but the manual feed does not have suggest or have the ability to alrign 4x6 or small paper sizes.  

Curious if you can override the manual feed option to top feed with these media types.

[ebiggs1]

"I use qimage one,  and canon print (?) and layout. (?)"

I don't know what these are? How or whether they even work. My suggestion and advice is the d/l any one or all the Canon software for the Pro-100 and use them. DPP4 for instance. I know certain papers have certain limitations, if the Canon software will not allow it, I doubt you can do it.

Ditch the Qimage One for sure.

[Rick_Floyd]

4 years later and this is still a problem.  Canon makes great hardware.  But **bleep**, its software sucks.  The Professional Print and Layout software is full of flaws and limitations.  The documentation is terrible.  Their response to customer questions is non-existence.  Why does the printer use so much ink just to get it to be reliable?  Why do I have to replace the waste bucket ink trap more often than the ink cartridges?  

[Rick_Floyd]

It's the stupid software and don't let anyone who hasn't tried this, otherwise.

[ebiggs1]

WOW, I don't know where to start. I will try. First, all dedicated photo printers use a lot of ink. Some a bit more and some perhaps a bit less but they all use a lot. They have to in order to maintain the highest quality for photo quality printing.  If that is a problem you need to get out of the home photo printing game. The newest Canon photo printers seem to be a little better on ink usage. I do have some experience with Epson photo printers and maybe they use a bit less ink. I don't really know but it seems that they do to me. BTW, Epson is the only other dedicated photo printer I would consider.

Now for printing, I use Photoshop and Lightroom. They are what I suggest you do also. DPP4 can print but not as well as PS or LR. Make sure you d/l the latest drivers and software for your printer.

Another thing to consider is the paper you are using. Not all paper, photo paper or not can make a huge difference in print quality. And always use the correct profile, too.

Am I correct in suspecting you don't print everyday or you do shut down the printer for several days (weeks) at a time? This causes it to use more ink as it completes the self check each time it is turned on.

I have not used Canon CS or tech support for quite some time now since I feel I am at almost, if not at, at the same experience or technical level as the techs are. However, when I did in my early days of printing photo quality prints I did avail myself of them and I found them to be extremely helpful and qualified.

I have to have great prints since I sell my work and I want the top best for people.

[Rick_Floyd]

Dude - I’m not asking you to give me advice on my printing. I’ve printed and sold hundred of photos from this printer. I just finished and exhibited a 20 photo exhibit from my travels to Cuba. So, I know my way around this printer and most of Canon and Hahnemuhle papers. 

All of my editing is done in Lightroom and Photoshop. Because the Print Professional and Print layout software has more control than just printing from LR or PS, that is what I use. 

My point is that the software of Canon printers is the weak link. They have many bugs that 4 years later have not been addressed, particularly in the PP&L software. 

As to the ink usage, Canon took the position to address head clogging by flushing good ink down the drain. They are better at maintaining head nozzle cleanliness but it is at our cost. We, the consumers are paying for the waste in ink AND have to pay for the waste can too. You can’t tell me there isn’t a better way to maintain head cleaning without all that waste. But, as long as it’s good for their consumable business, they won’t design a better solution. 

Finally, what I really resent is you coming on this board trying to be an expert spouting advice when you never even understood the original posters complaint. Their is no way to print on high quality HM paper in 4x6” prints. The software won’t let you do that. Instead, you decided to give uninformed advice to both the OP and myself without delving further than your surface level understanding of the issue. 

So next time, don’t be a Canon fan boy trying to gain posts for them to pat you on the head and raise your posting status. It’s ok to admit to yourself you don’t know everything.