Printing greyscale images on inkjet

[Arthur Entlich]

Hi Mike,

I sort of assumed this was the case... (in the meantime everyone was
getting on MY case because I gave you advice that is a bit "gauche".)

I still suggest playing around a bit with the color sliders in the
driver (makes some very small images to test, so you aren't wasting a
lot of paper, but use the paper you will print the final copies on).

If you have an image program, and they look neutral there, another
option is to cheat another way using the same idea I suggested before
but at the image software level.

If the image is coming out tinted "blue" on the printer, convert the
image to RGB and in color balance or whatever options you have in the
program warm the image up on the screen with yellow. Try a thumbnail.
After a few tries you should be able to get something close.

As I said before, if the whole print is pretty universal in the tint,
you're in luck, because then moving the color, or printer slider should
give you a universal improvement. However, if only certain densities of
grey are off, or some are off one way and some the other, that's not an
easy fix.

Art

 

[MikeD]

I sort of assumed this was the case... (in the meantime everyone was
getting on MY case because I gave you advice that is a bit "gauche".)

I don't see why anyone should give you a hard time. You have always offered
very sensible advice here, and I appreciate the time you spend providing it.

Initially I thought the multi-black cartridge set sounded like a good idea,
but I didn't think about cleaning the heads when swapping between B&W and
colour...

As I said before, if the whole print is pretty universal in the tint,
you're in luck, because then moving the color, or printer slider should
give you a universal improvement. However, if only certain densities of
grey are off, or some are off one way and some the other, that's not an
easy fix.

The tint is universal, and slightly blue. I will try adjusting the sliders
as you suggest.

Mike

 

[Arthur Entlich]

Hi Mike,

Try giving the yellow a little nudge up (or blue down, depending on the
driver), and see if that gets you closer. It may take a few tweaks to
get close. Use thumbnails of the images, so you don't waste much ink.

Let me know how it goes. If you have a imaging program, and you can get
a fairly reasonably accurate color scan of part of the test print into
it, you can then go into color balance or whatever the program provides
for fixing color casts, and move the sliders around. When you get
something approaching neutral grey, take note of which sliders required
what, and then translate that to the Epson driver is similar
percentages, and it may get you on your way.

Color adjustment is second nature for me, having worked in the printing
and photographic fields and as an artist for decades, but for some,
color balancing can be a bit like chasing one's tail (assuming one had
one, that is ;-))

Art

 

[MikeD]

Hi Mike,

Let me know how it goes. If you have a imaging program, and you can get
a fairly reasonably accurate color scan of part of the test print into
it, you can then go into color balance or whatever the program provides
for fixing color casts, and move the sliders around. When you get
something approaching neutral grey, take note of which sliders required
what, and then translate that to the Epson driver is similar
percentages, and it may get you on your way.

Now that's a good idea, because I will be able to see the results on the
monitor as I make the adjustments.

I have an Epson 1640 scanner so should be able to get a good quality scan.
I'll let you know what happens.

BTW Art, I followed the instructions in your manual for cleaning my old 440
and it's made a huge improvement. The printer's new owner is delighted with
it.

Thanks,

Mike

 

[Arthur Entlich]

That always is nice to hear. The older Epson printers can be made "good
as new" in many cases with just a bit of cleaning. The heads are
actually pretty robust most of the time.

Art

 

[MikeD]

That always is nice to hear. The older Epson printers can be made "good
as new" in many cases with just a bit of cleaning. The heads are
actually pretty robust most of the time.

I played with my grey scales at the weekend, printing a 17 shade wedge on
photo paper.

With the printer driver set to "no colour control" the darker shades have a
greenish tint, while the lighter shdes have a reddish tint. It's fairly
subtle, but noticeable.

I played with the sliders in the driver until I got bored, but couldn't find
a setting that would give proper greys right across the spectrum.

I might save up for some genuine Epson ink then try again...

Mike

 

[Arthur Entlich]

Hi MIke,

I'm not surprised you got bored. As you probably recall, I stated:

and you said:


Now that you have confirmed the color balance is shifting with density,
it means the inks have different profiles than the Epson inks, most
likely. Keep in mind paper type shifts color response also.

Make sure all your nozzle checks are good as well. If some nozzles are
clogged, that can throw off the color balance, especially with 6 color
printers which use low dye load inks.

Good luck.

Art

 

[MikeD]

and you said:

Hello Art

I did say that, and I was referring to the appearance of my photograph.

Now that you have confirmed the color balance is shifting with density,
it means the inks have different profiles than the Epson inks, most
likely. Keep in mind paper type shifts color response also.

This only became apparent to me when I printed out the grey scale wedge.
Funny things, eyes!

Make sure all your nozzle checks are good as well. If some nozzles are
clogged, that can throw off the color balance, especially with 6 color
printers which use low dye load inks.

The nozzle checks are fine. Colour prints are wonderful. It's only B&W that
is challenging me!

I will buy *one* set of Epson ink and try that. If that doesn't work I shall
find something more interesting to occupy my spare time.

Thanks again,

Mike