Epson 2200 color saturation on prints?

[herderdog]

I am starting to get a lot of orders for prints now and I have an Epson 2200 printer.

I have a lot of photos with black and white dogs!

I think the colors are coming out OK, although I have not calibrated my monitor (lack of funds right now!)
What I am a little dissapointed in is the lack of "pop" and/or saturation, especially of the blacks. On the screen the pictures are very vibrant.
Without using up a bunch of ink and paper trying out random settings, I thought I would see if anyone has a suggestion that would help me? Or is calibration my only choice?

I am printing on enhanced matte paper, adobe RGB, best photo, 2880 dpi, color management--ICM, ICC profile-no color adjustment. I do have the matte-black ink loaded in the printer.

Thanks!

[steven]

If you are using PS you should try the View option where you set the profile to be for the matt paper on the 2200. Epson provides the profiles and is the best way to better see what your printer will be able to produce.
If you are printing on matt papaer are you using the black matt ink?
Also make sure that you are using the profile made for the matt black. I can't remember if the matt paper has two profiles, but if it does one will end with a p? and the other will be m? don't remember what the second character is (hey it's monday morning I'm luck I remember how to type:)).
If you need more details about anything I said here send a message and I will get more details when I'm at home.
Unfortunatly black and white is one of the worst areas for printers. Only the most recent ones have been getting much better and that is with three different black ink cartriges.

[herderdog]

Thanks Steven for your reply.
I spent quite a bit of time doing more research and learning about color printing and did end up soft proofing for the paper etc. Results were so-so.
So.... I broke down today and have a Spyder2plus on its way. Maybe a new monitor is in my future as well-but I will try the Spyder first.
I am selling quite a few prints--so I need to get them right!
Thanks again