inaccurate colors

[Klahne]

I photographed an antique portrait with lots of dark browns and reds, (nothing out of gamut) and am trying to reproduce it on Epson Exhibition Canvas Matte using an Epson 9900 printer.  When I use Imageprint 8, (installed on Mac running 10.6. with their profile, green blotches end up in the dark brown areas.  If I use Photoshop CS6 with the Epson profile, the preview looks fine but the print comes out much too dark.  Given that it's the same file, regardless of print method, I don't believe it's due to the "why are my prints so dark" syndrome.  What I'd like to try is the Epson profile with Imageprint but IP 8 doesn't like the profile and refuses to print with it selected.  Another alternative is to have a profile made that Imageprint will accept, (I may have read that IP doesn't accept Epson media profiles but not positive about it).  Anyone have other ideas? 

Thanks!

[Ed Foster, Jr.]

Klahne,
You are correct in what you read about ImagePrint not accepting Epson profiles; they are rather proprietary and while custom profiles can me made, it is not simple and I believe you need certain info from IP.

Nonetheless, you could try a curves adjustment layer and lightening the image or you could dial back the ink density in Epson's print dialogue: Print Settings from CS, then Paper Configuration in the driver.

Hope this helps,
Ed

[Klahne]

Thanks for the reply Ed! 

I don't like the option you propose but may have no choice.  It's still puzzling to me that the same file printed through Imageprint is the right exposure, (though not clean) and the one made through Photoshop isn't.

Best regards,

Rich

[Ed Foster, Jr.]

Rich,

It could just be that the particular Epson profile you are using is not quite right for your printer. You could try printing a standard target, such as the Onsite Color Evaluation Image (http://www.on-sight.com/downloads/),  and see how it prints with the same media and the Epson profile. If it prints dark too, then perhaps it is a profile problem and perhaps a custom profile for that media and printer might solve your problem. Imageprint's profiles do tend to provide for very good shadow detail, thought a good custom profile should give you comparable results.

Regards,
Ed