Printing from Photoshop - the correct way.

Presented by Pixalo - Submitted by Pook

First of all, you need the correct ICC profile for your printer and paper type. These can usually be found on the manufacturer's web site. If you're an Epson user then try here first

Epson ICC Downloads

Once you've got your profile, you need to install it. Just put the relevant profile ICC file in c:\\windows\system32\spool\drivers\colour, then reboot your machine (Win XP), If you're a Mac user, sorry but you will have to consult your manual.

Once the icc profile is installed, load your image into Photoshop, and then follow these steps.


1: Soft proof the image using View/Proof Setup/Custom. Set the profile to your printer/paper type. e.g., 2100 archival matte. Set "intent" to perceptual, and have black point comp ON. Simulate paper white should be OFF. See fig.s

2: Once soft proofed, check and adjust levels/contract/saturation etc. Also make sure the document print size is correct. Whilst this can be set in the print dialogue, it's FAR better to make the image the correct size using Image/Image Size... BUT... use it as in Fig.0. This will adjust the document print size and NOT change the resolution. (Remember to recheck "resample image" if you DO ever need to resize an images pixel resolution ).

Fig 0

3. Print by using File, Print With Preview. (fig.1)

FIG.1

4. The print preview dialog box will appear. Set it as shown in Fig.2.


FIG.2


Print size is up to you, but remember that if cropping is critical, around 96% is best and NOT "Scale to fit media".. (you may have to play around a bit with this) Set the colourspace and profile settings as in Fig.2 (using the correct ICC profile for your printer/paper). Click "Print".

5. The print requester should appear (Fig.3). Select your printer, then click properties. Do not just click OK.

FIG.3

6. After clicking properties, the Printer driver should appear (Fig.4).

FIG.4


Your driver may differ from mine slightly, but everything you need will be there as it is in the diagram. Re-check paper type. Click on "Custom", then click advanced... do not just OK it until you've done the next steps.

7. Once you click advanced, you should see the advanced settings dialog box
(Fig.5).

FIG.5


The most important setting here is "No Colour Adjustment".... make sure that's checked. Re-check your paper type, then set your resolution. No less than 720, and preferably 1440... If your printer allows 2880 with borderless printing, then this will be the best quality, but printing times are a nightmare. Make sure "High Speed" is OFF. Click OK to take you back to the printer driver, then check your paper and layout settings using the tabs(Fig 6).. then press OK... Finally press OK again on the remaining Printer Request box. It should now spool, and start to print.

FIG.6


If you follow these steps, your prints should be consistently good. Remember, that you should always use the original manufacturer's inks, especially with Epson printers. You CAN get good third party inks, such as Lyson inks, but you need special icc profiles or they will be useless, and even then, they're only really any good on Lyson papers etc. FOr best results, use Epson paper if you have a Epson printer, and only if you have a ICC profile that covers it.