Dark prints????

[sito]

I have just bought my EPSON R1900. I am using EPSON inks, papers and of course, ICC profiles. I print from Lightroom or Photoshop CS2. I use the corresponding Profile, but I get prints a little dark than my monitor or than using EPSON drivers automatically. Is that normal? What should I do?

[skim133]

i find my prints are a little darker as well. i feel like its natural since the the screen is backlit and the print is not. or i could have a problem too. either way its not very difficult to adjust to

[René Damkot]

Do you compare the print to the softproof? Do you view the prints in proper lighting conditions? How bright is your screen? (120Cd/m^2 is about the max).

[sito]

I have an 20" iMac calibrated monitor.

[poloman]

Aahhhh...That's it......get a PC!

Sorry, just kidding, I couldn't resist. :)

[gcogger]

I have an 20" iMac calibrated monitor.

But calibrated to what luminence value? That's a user choice (unless the calibration software dictates it) and is IMHO the most common reason for dark prints. I chose 100cd/m2 for my monitor, which is lower than usually recommended, and my prints are still darker than the screen, unless they're viewed in very bright lighting conditions (e.g. direct sunlight).

[Beaufort 12]

What did you calibrate with?

Easy or advanced mode?

If it's a Huey or the like, forget it.

[tgara]

Make sure you turn OFF the color management in the printer driver, and turn ON the color management from the software. This allows your ICC profiles to work without being influenced by the printer driver color management system. You can turn off the printer color management under the printer settings when you go to print an image.

I have an Epson R1900, and had the same problem until I figured out I was "double profiling". As a general rule of thumb, if prints come out too dark, its a good bet that both the printer color profile and software color profile are on. Similarly, if prints come out too light, the printer and software color profiles are probably both off. You want only one on, not both or both off.

All this is explained in the instructions that came with your Epson, btw. Review those instructions carefully for more detailed step by step setup procedures.