How to print what I see...

[dphoto]

Hello all,

I'm sure this is a common question, but I'm having trouble getting my new Canon i9100 to print things as I see them on my monitor. Things that are printed out are much lighter, almost washed-out. Royal blue gets turned into sky blue, and faces are much too pale. I'm horrible with color as it is...

Any links where I can go to properly calibrate my printer and monitor? I've tried adjusting my monitor's color temperature, but that doesn't help much.

Thanks!
-Deva

[Vegas Poboy]

Here is just one of many sites out there, http://www.rogercavanagh.com/links/links-06_colourmanagement.htm

Also look back a couple of months and I'm sure there is a thread that will help also.

[scottbergerphoto]

The link given by VPB is a start. In my mind there are a few important points:
1. Calibrate your monitor.
2. Choose the right paper. Start with OEM paper (Canon).
3. Use OEM inks.
4. Choose the right paper settings in your printer driver.
5. If you choose to set source and output in Photoshop or PSE2, make sure your printer driver is set to No Color Adjustment.
Scott

[dn7elson]

Things that are printed out are much lighter, almost washed-out. Royal blue gets turned into sky blue, and faces are much too pale.

Before you go looking too far, make sure that your paper setting for the printer did not "sneak back" to plain paper. This will give you a washed out and/or banded output and can easily happen.