jayw Loc: Contoocook, NH

Good day all. Finally getting into printing my own photos. To that end I'm using a Canon Pro 100, Canon ink and Canon Pro Luster (LU-100) paper. I'm printing using Lightroom 6 (stand alone) or PSE 14 each using Canon Print Studio Pro. Have not settled on which to use yet. Still playing.

Another thing to know is that when I'm printing JPEG/8 bit, I'll use the standard print driver. When printing NEF/TIFF - 16 bit, I'll use the XPS print driver.

Anyway, here is my dilemma. I've read many on UHH say that the software should manage the color. I can't recall if the brand of paper was mentioned.

In the April issue of Shutterbug on page 56 of the article "Prints That Pop - 10 Tips On How To Get Better Photo Prints From Digital Images" by George Schaub, he says "When printing with branded papers..." to use Printer Managed Color. On the other hand, "when using so-called 'third-party' papers..." to use software color management.

Which is the correct way, or is there no right or wrong way and that it all depends of the beholder?

Thanks for your comments and insights.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

I've had a Pro-100 from when they were introduced and use Canon paper and ink. When I got it all the Lightroom tutorials said to turn color control off on the Printer.

One day I was having a hard time with a granddaughter's cheeks. They were coming out too pink with Lightroom controlling the color. I turned off Lightroom and turned on the printer's color management. It worked and I've been doing it that way since.

In other words, print quality is in the eye of the beholder.

I didn't know there was an XPS printer or what it's for. Would there be a visible difference in the prints? How do you switch from one to the other?

jayw Loc: Contoocook, NH

As I was informed, the XPS print driver is for printing 16 bit images such as raw, TIFF, etc. I believe it is automatically installed when you set up the printer. Check your printer drivers and you should see the 2 drivers - regular/standard and XPS. You switch by selecting it when you go to do your printing. If you don't see the XPS driver, you may have to reinstall/update from the Canon website.

I tested this out and I saw a very marginal difference. When using the XPS driver, I saw a slightly enhanced image. Meaning the image on Canon Pro Luster seemed more natural in color and contrast. You had to look very closely to see the difference.

Now, what I'm trying to determine is if I settle on the XPS driver to print both raw and JPG, what differences will I see, if any? I suppose I'll have to experiment if necessary.

big-guy Loc: Peterborough Ontario Canada

You make no mention of what ICC profile you chose or even if you did choose one. If everything is Canon and your paper matches the paper type then, and only then, can you properly use printer controlled color. All that does is to let the printer use the ICC profile for that paper type. Of course you could have chosen the same ICC profile and let the software control color with no difference. With so many good papers out there letting the software control the color using the appropriate ICC profile will give you the prints you are hoping for. Also, depending on the color space used you will have to determine the rendering intent, perceptual (suitable for photographic images with out-of-gamut colors) or relative (preserves more of the original colors and is more commonly used).

yssirk123 Loc: New Jersey

Hi jayw. I use the XPS driver for all 16 bit images. When I'm using Canon paper, I let the printer manage color. For 3rd party papers, I download the icc profile for that particular paper, and let the software manage color. As an aside, check out Qimage when you have the chance. It's an amazingly effective (and inexpensive) printer utlity that does a wonderful job - especially with automatically sharpening images for print.

jayw Loc: Contoocook, NH

To answer your questions - I use the ICC profile for the paper being used. In this case Canon Pro Luster <LU-101>. My color space is Adobe RGB 1998 and rendering is set at Perceptual. How do I determine if a picture is out-of-gamut or not? Have not tried Relative yet. For the Printer Profile in Print Studio Pro I use either the printer/paper profile or Auto. Here again, not sure which is the right way or if it makes a difference.

jayw Loc: Contoocook, NH

Thanks for that bit of information. Seems to be what others are saying, so maybe that's the way I'll go.

Will I run into any issues if I made the XPS driver the default driver for all my images, 16 bit and 8 bit?

AzPicLady Loc: Behind the camera!

When I got my printer, I called Canon with some questions. They recommended I not use the XPS function. I actually print from Windows, and I really like what I get. I've never figured out how to turn off printer control or how to use paper profiles.

jayw Loc: Contoocook, NH

Do you recall why they told you not to use the XPS driver on the Pro 100?

AzPicLady Loc: Behind the camera!

He said the colours can turn out a little funky. Based on their advice, I've never used it.

jayw Loc: Contoocook, NH

Interesting. Anyone else get this advice?

I used it and my picture came out fantastic. Maybe I'll drop them a line to find out from the horse's mouth, so to speak.

Thanks

dpullum Loc: Tampa Florida

The article can be read at:
https://www.pressreader.com/usa/shutterbug/20180401/281535111437029

jayw Loc: Contoocook, NH

Sorry for responding late.

Yes, I saw this article and that is what prompted my question. So based on the few responses I received, I'll stick with the printer controlling color when using branded paper, in my case, Canon, and software (LR6.1 or PSE 14) controlling color when using 3rd party paper, such as Red River Paper.

What I'm still looking for an aswnwer is can I make the XPS driver the default driver for both NEF/Raw (16 bit) and JPEG (8 bit) or this something I'm going to have to experiment with?

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

Branded papers (Canon, Epson, HP) have ICC profiles and matching paper settings for their surfaces already built into the printer driver. Choose the paper type, and the correct profile is applied. Third party papers (Red River, Moab, Hahnemuhle, Galerie, etc.) need third party profiles supplied by the manufacturer or your dealer. The best way to apply THOSE is to have your software manage the color (profiles). In most cases, the paper type still needs to be set in the printer driver, though.

Of course, the ULTIMATE in accurate color reproduction is to make your own custom paper profiles with YOUR printer, ink, and paper. X-Rite and Datacolor sell kits that can do that. HOWEVER, most of us can get by with the stock profiles from the paper manufacturers, whether those are OEM or third party.