Need a Color Printer in USA

[Timmyjoe]

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Does anyone have a recommendation for a good printer in the USA to handle color work. I've got a series on Route 66 neon that I cannot print to my satisfaction with my Epson Stylus Photo R3000. The images look gorgeous on my monitor, but flat and lifeless with this printer. Here is a sample of what I am trying to print:

 

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I need to make prints up to 16"x20". If anyone knows of a good printer, or knows how to make this R3000 print what I see on my monitor, I would really appreciate the help.

 

Thanks.

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[Jeff S]

…. or knows how to make this R3000 print what I see on my monitor, I would really appreciate the help.

 

With a terrific print machine like that, I'd spend a lot more time and effort on your end before going outside.

 

There are myriad variables in the print workflow, so it's hard to make any quick judgment without understanding your whole process. A couple of basic questions, though.

 

First, have you calibrated your monitor and experimented with both your monitor and printer settings? There are tons of articles (via search) from folks who have prints darker than their screen. Often this can come down to something simple like turning down the screen brightness (in the neighboring of 85 cd/m2). Or it could be more complex.

 

Additionally, what paper are you using? I'm sure you're aware that paper/inks, even lighting, can dramatically change the look and feel of a print. A backlit screen is not the same as a front lit piece of paper, no matter your workflow or monitor calibration. Not a dramatic difference, but different is different.

 

Just as in the darkroom days, printing is not plug and play…it takes time, a good eye and some solid grounding in the underlying process and variables.

 

Jeff

[Timmyjoe]

Thanks Jeff,

 

I've mastered the art of Black & White printing with this machine (R3000) which is what I bought it for, but the color thing is kicking my backside. The monitor is calibrated regularly. Not really sure how to calibrate the printer.

 

I'm a shooter, not so much a printer. I remember doing a workshop with Chris Rainier back in the early 1990's. We talked at length about the whole art of being a shooter, and the art of being a printer, and how they are very different art forms.

 

I just don't have the time to master color printing with this printer. I only need a couple dozen color prints a year, and I would much rather find someone reliable who I can send the files to, than spend the time learning all the intricacies of doing it myself.

[Jeff S]

Well, if you've 'mastered b/w', then many of the concepts are the same, including dealing with papers, screen brightness, etc. If your color prints are dark, so would be your b/w prints. If color is 'off', that's another matter.

 

You didn't answer the basic question about paper, or profile(s). If you don't want to take the time, I won't either, but that's a shame with such a good and versatile machine.

 

Jeff

[sanyasi]

I agree that you should consider working with your inkjet printer more, but since you are in Chicago, you might try these folks: Archival Inkjet Printing | Printmakers Chicago

 

I have not used them before, but based on their website, I have been tempted to use them to make one or two large prints (beyond my printers 17 by 22 limit). If you do use them, I would be curious about your experience.

[Timmyjoe]

The colors is what is off. I've got the brightness thing down, and I use the proper profiles for the different papers I use, but the color range, from the bright almost white of parts of the neon, to the deep blues/green/violets/blacks of the sky, there are many things that need adjustment for the print to come out how I want it. And I don't want to spend the time it would take to master that. The printer does great on my Black & White stuff.

[Jeff S]

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Basic color management (and workflow)….which starts with your camera and ends with a lighted and displayed print (glass and lighting can change everything)…with many steps between.

 

It's not just the print itself, even if you use an outside lab. An understanding of color management even helps to scope out a good outside printer…and to give them the best file to start. A worthwhile topic to spend some time IMO, even as a b/w printer.

 

I won't ask a third time about paper used.

 

Jeff

[Timmyjoe]

Not quite sure how "paper used" has anything to do with my original post, but since you continue to bring it up, I use two different types of paper, for test prints, Epson's Premium Photo Paper (Glossy) and for finish work, Ilford Galerie Prestige, and yes I downloaded the ICC profiles for each and use them when printing.

[Jeff S]

Not quite sure how "paper used" has anything to do with my original post,.

 

Your color prints look 'lifeless and flat, and your colors are way off, and yet you see no relationship between these issues and the paper you use?

 

Enough said. Sorry to have wasted my time.

 

The good news is that your disinterest in paper will save one important question when you research outside printers.

 

Happy printing….err…mailing.

 

Jeff

[Timmyjoe]

Your color prints look 'lifeless and flat, and your colors are way off, and yet you see no relationship between these issues and the paper you use?

 

Exactly. I have a friend who uses the same paper with his R3880 and he gets spectacular images from it. He has also spent many hours learning how to get the most from his printer, hours I am not willing to spend, and hours that I would rather be working and shooting.

 

To each their own.

[250swb]

If you can't see the connection between input and output I don't see how an outside colour printer will either. It's all very well saying you'd rather be shooting, but at some point the hard questions need answering by somebody, and as an outside printer doesn't know what the question is you could be in for a disappointment. They don't know what the colours should be, they weren't there, they don't know what your monitor calibration is like.

 

One of the things that can make the most difference is the 'allow Photoshop to manage colour' or 'allow printer to manage colour' . There is the perfect logical answer in the perfect workflow, but if for some reason there is a conflict it would be worth trying both options as they can individually compensate for differing problems. But it is a massive job going back to basics and talking about workflow and there are many tutorials on the web that can explain it better than me.

 

Steve

[Timmyjoe]

Appreciate your input Steve. Probably should have just shut the thread down yesterday after I found a printer I can work with.

 

FWIW I do work on a calibrated monitor. I just never had much luck getting the Epson Printer to give me the colors I am looking for in these prints. I use "allow Photoshop to manage color" and make sure I have the proper ICC profiles for each paper used. Still not happy with the outcome. Very happy with the Black and White output of the printer, so I will keep using it for that, and that is the bulk of my printing needs. Just not had good luck with these particular Route 66 Neon images, though some color "ocean in golden light" images I shot in Florida printed pretty close to what I was looking for.

 

So I'll send them out. Should be fine. No need for anyone to get their panties in a bunch.

[Jeff S]

I have a friend who uses the same paper with his R3880 and he gets spectacular images from it.

 

So pay him/her to print your pic (maybe even using your machine, if not on his). Maybe he'll even ask you an important question or two to ensure your desired result…and to provide you with some guidance.

 

Jeff