2200 printing help

[ifurlong]

well I got the epson 2200, now I am in need of advise on how to g3et the most out of it, so do yo0u know of any good links or anything? thanks, Ian

[scottbergerphoto]

You will be soooo happy with this printer. I love it. I currently use PSE2. I :
1. Shoot Adobe RGB Raw.
2. I convert in BreezeBrowser to 8 bitt tiff, never JPEG.
3. Edit in PSE2.
4. Save it in PSE2 with the box checked for "attach the Adobe RGG (1998) profile".
5.Then go into Print Preview and check the box for more options. For source, Adobe RGB(1998) should already be recognized by the program. For output: choose the Epson ICC profile for the Epson paper you are going to use. Always use Epson paper and ink. The Epson ICC profiles are on the install disk in the PIM folder. They need to be copied to your color folder.
6. Check "print with preview" and Hit Print. When the preview box comes up with your photo it will have a little magenta cast when you use Adobe RGB(1998). Ignore it. As long as you selected "no color adjustment" in the printer driver you will be fine. If you select one of the other options(sRGB, ICM), you will get a magenta picture because two profiles will be telling the printer what to do.
7. In your Epson Printer driver, select the correct paper setting.
8. Go to the Advanced tab, Custom settings and select 1440 (update: 2880 see below) as your resoloution, No Color Adjustment. Uncheck high speed.
9. Hit print and your all set.
If you want a simpler process, don't choose more options as in step 5, and in the printer driver select sRGB or ICM. That will force the printer to color manage and not PSE2.
For the best results, calibrate your monitor with the Adobe Gamma utility provided with Photoshop and PSE2, or use a hardware software package like Spyder Pro/Optical.
Feel free to ask me more about it. I am at work now and not able to look at the Epson driver. If you can't follow what's above, post again and I'll try to clarify it later.
Scott

[BobbyC]

Scott, just curious, why use 1440? I can see quite a difference between it and 2880.

[scottbergerphoto]

Scott, just curious, why use 1440? I can see quite a difference between it and 2880.
I don't remember why I stuck with 1440. I'll do a comparison again and post an update. BTW, it appears that www.luminous-lanscape.com agrees with you: http://www.luminous-landscape.com/reviews/printers/Epson2200.shtml
This is also interesting:
http://www.luminous-landscape.com/reviews/printers/2200-techniques.shtml
Sometimes simpler is better and easier.

Thanks for joggin my noggin.
Scott

[BobbyC]

Thanks Scott,

I was just curious. Actually on 5x7 or smaller, I can't see the diff as much as 8x10 and up. It is a lot faster at 1440 for sure.

[scottbergerphoto]

Ian,
As you posted the original question, I was wondering if you found the responses helpful, or if you had any other questions.
Scott

[mjordan]

I print at 1440 rather than 2880 is because even at 13x19 I don't see a difference, it uses less ink, is faster and it reduces the layering of the prints on Epson paper. On Ilford paper I don't get any layering problem, so I use Ilford almost exclusively now.

Every once in awhile I'll print off the same image, one at 1440 and one at 2880 just to check, and I don'ts ee a difference, other than the ink goes down a lot faster at 2880.

My paper of choice is Ilford Smooth Pearl. I bought a bunch of Epson Professional semi-gloss when I first got my 2200 but I've used very little of it since I started using Ilford. I was just on the Ilford site and I see they have some more papers that will work with the 2200 now. So next time I order some paper I'll try the glossy and water color paper. I just tried some Office Depot Ivory Canvas Cloth and thought it came out pretty good. I wish it came in 13x19" sheets though. I used 1440 on it also and selected watercolor as the type of paper. This slowed down the printing enough that the ink was dry before the front rollers went over it.

I love the 2200. I wish I could get the 4000 or even one of the 7600 or 9600 printers.

Mike

[BobbyC]

Now you've got me wanting to take a second look at 1440 Mike. I sure like the speed of it, but it just seemed a little bit softer to me.

I bought a bunch of borderless Prem. Glossy that I never use. After I ran out of Prem. Luster, I tried Red River Polar Satin and have been using it mostly. I'm going to take a look at that Ilford paper as well, the Red River still shows some layering and that would be nice to eliminate. I haven't had a customer complain about it, but I'm not real fond of it.

I love the printer too, I'm curious about that new R300, I think it's called. It has some different pigments that are supposed to be a bit brighter as well as a clear ink that I hear really makes a nice glossy print.

[jim monroe]

I agree with those above who have stated that the 2200 is a great printer.
Question: I've been using only Epson papers printing from PSE-2 and I simply indicate in one of the various menus what type of paper being used, generally Epson's Premium Luster. With the Ilford papers what needs to be done to properly setup the printer for correct use of these particular papers, especially the Ilford Smooth Pearl?

[ifurlong]

oh yes, I find most advise on this forum helpfull and this topic is no exception. Please keep your experiences comming!!! thanks, Ian

[Bill Lamp]

I'm a happy 2200 owner too. On the paper side, Epson USA mentions Prem. Photo Glossy as being suitable for the printer but the European page does not. The layering/bronzing is greatly reduced when using the Luster Paper and somewhat reduced on the Semi-Matte. For all practical purposes, it is gone with the Enhanced Matte.

I did a behind glass comparison of the Enhanced Matte vrs. the others and the difference is so small that I doubt it would be noticed at any reasonable viewing distance. (12x18 inch print beyond 18 inch viewing distance) That paper is rated, by Epson, for 1440 resolution. I use that and, depending on the subject either 360 or 300 LPI.

For pictures that have critical yellow, orange, and to a lesser extent reds, I've found that shooting RAW, saving the file in high bit color, loading it into Photoshop, and right then BEFORE anything else converting to ProPhoto color space treats that part of the color range better. True, the printer can not cover the full Adobe RGB range (I saw the graphs from a full profiled system). But it can print the above mentioned colors in "shades" that are outside Adobe RGB but inside the ProPhoto gamot.

At this point, as I mentioned how I convert, I need to say I use a non-Canon camera and RAW converter. I don't know if the Cannon converter will save RAW in high bit color (over 8-bit/channel).

Bill

[w10d]

Every once in awhile I'll print off the same image, one at 1440 and one at 2880 just to check, and I don'ts ee a difference, other than the ink goes down a lot faster at 2880.
Mike

Just to say that this has been my experience too, (with a 2100).