imagePROGRAF PRO-300 How to print in the Adobe RGB color space

[Marvin73]

Hello, just wondering if anyone can help me. I am very new to printing. I have been trying to figure out how to print in the Adobe RGB color space, and if it was possible to print in this color space with the Pro 300? I have been editing my raw files in Lightroom Classic in SRGB and sharing for web in this format for a very long time now using LRC and PS. I have a monitor that is capable of producing Adobe RGB, and am also able to create three different profiles and save them to a specific setting on my BenQ SW270C monitor, For example I created these specific profiles, 1. Adobe RGB that I created for printing at home, 2. SRGB for print labs and home printer, and 3. SRGB for Web sharing. I have been editing my files in Adobe RGB and exporting them in a Tiff file with the Adobe RGB color space. The issue I am having is that the colors come out dull. When I switch back to SRGB I realized that the prints matched exactly like the monitor in the SRGB mode. I have tried printing in Photoshop, The Canon Professional Print Layout Software, and Lightroom. I am using a Windows 11 on a desktop with the printer driver set up as the following below

Commonly Used Settings: Photo

Additional Features: Color/Intensity Manual Adjustment Checked and color matching set to None

Borderless and Black and White Photo Print unchecked

I selected the media type, quality to the highest, paper size and correct source.

Overall when editing in SRGB the colors are close to accurate and am very happy with the results of the prints and colors, but I have been trying to dive into the Adobe RGB color space, but I feel like I am missing something here as the colors are totally off compared to what I see on screen when I am editing in Adobe RGB. If anyone out there can help me understand the color spaces or something I am doing wrong, I would be very appreciative of your knowledge.

[cbphoto]

Adobe RGB is a "working colorspace" designed by Adobe to provide a colorspace for post-processing/retouching. It is not an "output colorspace".

Let's backtrack a bit. By colorspace I technically mean an ICC colorspace or "profile". This tech was developed to provide color consistency and accuracy between devices. All output devices (e.g., printers, monitors, film recorders) should have an ICC profile embedded in the workflow so that when an image is viewed on a monitor or in print or on an HDTV screen, it will look very, very similar.

Here's an graphic representation of the Adobe RGB ICC profile:

Here's a comparison of the Adobe RGB profile (in gray) with the sRGB profile (in color). Note that the size (technically called a "gamut") of the sRGB profile is much smaller than the Adobe RGB profile. This means the sRGB colorspace has more muted colors and tones than the Adobe colorspace.

 Here's a custom profile of a Canon paper on my iPF8300 printer:

Before I print an image, I first convert it from Adobe RGB to this printer/paper profile using Photoshop (Edit > Convert to Profile). When I print, I don't allow the printer software to convert the colors (because I've already done it).

In your case, you can either convert the profile in Photoshop or let the printer software do it. (Since I use custom-measured profiles, I do the conversion myself). I have not used Canon's Pro Layout software 'cuz I use an old printer.

Your monitor provides you with a calibration method which matches the Adobe RGB colorspace, or the sRGB colorspace. I recommend using the Adobe RGB and convert to the correct printer/paper profile when printing.

Sidebar: sRGB was developed by HP and Microsoft by measuring CRT monitors of the 1990s. It's generic but still used. I think this is unfortunate 'cuz monitors nowadays have a greatly expanded color gamut.

I hope this helps.

[jrhoffman75]

When you select Color Matching->None you need to select the photo paper ICC profile in your photo application.