3rd part ink, CM, printer profiling

[zlisik]

Just a few thoughts that I'm trying to hash out....

1.a) Am I correct in thinking that when maintaining proper colour management, if using 3rd party inks then I need to profile the combination of printer-ink-paper?

1.b) And this can be done by myself or having someone else do it, correct?

2) What is the most cost effective printer profiling device that gives acceptable results for people of the "mid-range, not super picky/skilled"?

3. Please correct me if I'm wrong but in order to avoid profiling my options are to:
a) use OEM ink, OEM paper
b) use OEM ink and papers whose makers have profiles for my printer

4. I know its probably retarded to ask but do any 3rd party ink sellers/makers provide any profiles?

5. How many people use 3rd party ink, have a selection of paper that's been sent away for profiling and use OEM ink in those occasional instances that one wants to use a special print medium?

 

[on30trainman]

Here are my answers:

1a. Yes

1b. Yes

2. I use Profile Prism from ddisoftware. Uses a scanner and an IT8 target to make the profile. Works OK for me especially with Glossy papers. If you are only going to use one ink and one paper may be better to have a custom profile made.

3a. Yes but can get to be expensive.

3b. Assuming there are profiles available. I mostly use Costco Kirkland Glossy Photo paper and don't think there are any profiles available.

4. Not that I know of. I have used both Hobbicolors and Image Specialists inks and don't know of any profiles available for free.

5. Not me as you can see from my above answers - 3rd party inks from IS (using now), make my own profiles and only used OEM inks when I first got the printers.

Steve W.

 

[msmart]

Speaking of printer profiles.... maybe I've missed them, but are there threads where people have shared profiles that they've come up with themselves (not bought)? Can that be done?

Something like : Printer, Paper/Disc Media, Ink Mfg, Settings.

I've got a iP4500 and just received my Image Specialist ink but not had to refill yet. But once I do, it would be nice to benefit from the labors of others if there was a thread that listed profiles. What I print on is HP Brochure & Flyer Paper, TY Watershield Discs and Meritline Photo Gloss DVD Case Inserts.

Or is it not that simple because of variations in monitor settings?

 

[on30trainman]

msmart,
See the post below that links to two other posts about sharing profiles:
http://www.nifty-stuff.com/forum/viewtopic.php?pid=22392#p22392

Monitor variations have no effect on printer profiles. It is just that if you have an uncalibrated monitor your print out may not (probably won't) match what you see on the monitor. To make the most of printer profiles you need to have a calibrated monitor also.

Steve W.

 

[zlisik]

on30trainman,
thanks for the response. I hadn't realized a scanner could be used for printer profiling.
May I ask what kind of printing you do? I'm interested mostly in colour photo printing but I'm a bit lost about what kind of papers to use. Can you attest to the longevity of IS inks?

msmart,
I believe IS wants to set up a database of profiles based on his inks. And the type of license with his spectroscope is broader than most.

http://www.nifty-stuff.com/forum/viewtopic.php?pid=17868#p17868

 

[on30trainman]

zlisik,

The flow of work to generate a printer profile with Profile Prism (PP) is:

Print a test pattern of color squares from a PP supplied file with all color management turned off in the printer.
Allow test pattern to dry at least a day.
Scan test pattern along with the supplied IT8 target and save.
Process the resulting scan in PP and generate the profile.
Make a test print (a test file is provided or use any photo) and review results.
Make edits if needed.

I use a Canon LiDE 60 scanner using the provided Canon scanning software.

My results on glossy paper have been very good. My first try of Hobbicolor inks (not his present UW8 inks) showed a very definite greenish cast on Kirkland Glossy Photo paper that was not present with the Canon OEM inks. That is what drove me to buying PP. The profiled prints showed no green tinge at all. The Hobbicolor UW8 inks and IS inks didn't have such problems but I still generate profiles and do see a difference. Results on Staples matte paper haven't been as good in PP as evidenced by the number of processed squares marked with Xs which is a sign of improperly exposed colors. But the resulting prints have been of a correct tint/color and look OK. Others have complained of matte paper profiling. Don't know how good commercially generated profiles for matte papers are.

All methods of profiling require a printer test pattern and that has to dry completely before profiling is attempted.

As far as longevity of IS ink prints go - I haven't used it long enough to know. Just started using it a few months ago. I did run some fading tests on Hobbicolor inks/Kirkland paper vs Canon OEM inks/Kirkland paper a while ago. The Hobbicolor inks did fade a little more than the Canon inks, but both faded.

Hope this helps,

Steve W.