B&W Photo Printing

[bbailey]

I was trying to make a print of some of the images in this thread, but can't seem to get them to come out correctly. They are to light.

I'm printing from Photoshop CS using an Epson R200, using the ICC profile for the premium glossy paper. When I soft proof there is no change in my image. My intent is relative colometric. When I choose the "black ink only" option in the printer settings, the images come out too light, even if I push it down to -25 on the printers correction software (which I usually don't use, but I can't choose "don't color manage when I just print with black.).

Any pointers or useful websites. When I print color everything looks great, but this is my first time trying to print b&w.

Thanks

[anorcross]

I have had decent results with both the Epson 1280 and the R1800 printing B&W on the color setting. That way, you can use the no color management option. Just make sure that you convert the image to grayscale and then back to RGB again before printing.

[jeffkohn]

Results will vary when printing B/W with a color inkjet. If you have a good profile (preferably custom) you might be able to get a print that's fairly close to neutral. More than likely though, there will be a bit of a color cast; if you're lucky it will be pleasing cast, if not it will be something ungly like a greenish or cyan tint. You might try toning the image rather than going straight B/W, since any color cast will be less noticeable.

In the end you might just want to get the prints done at a lab that can do B/W digital printing. And by this I do not mean a lab with a Fuji Frontier machine, you'll have the same color-cast issues there as with a home inkjet. I'm talking true B/W print such as offered at MPix.

[evil4blue]

Double up, Mpix, ugh ugh *several crotch thrusts*

If you haven't tried Mpix B&W printing, do yourself a favor and send them something. Oh my, you've never seen a digital B&W until you see the Mpix B&W.

That said, once I move into my new house, I'm buying a second R1800 and putting carbon inks in it. I've seen some amazingly good prints using this process.

[bbailey]

Thanks for the advice. Actually right after I posted this I uploaded my image to MPIX and figured I would give them a try since I've heard good things about their B&W service. For a few bucks it worth giving a try.

[Badge]

I print B&W using elements and the R200. You do need to calibrate your monitor which I do but need to go about +4 on the printer software to brighten up the photo to my liking. I did a number of small test photos to figure this out and am pleased with my results. I also use the black cartage only setting on the printer.
To get to the B&W I want , i adjust the three colors on levels and then remove all color by setting saturation at -0-.

[johnastovall]

Originally Posted by bbailey

I was trying to make a print of some of the images in this thread, but can't seem to get them to come out correctly. They are to light.

I'm printing from Photoshop CS using an Epson R200, using the ICC profile for the premium glossy paper. When I soft proof there is no change in my image. My intent is relative colometric. When I choose the "black ink only" option in the printer settings, the images come out too light, even if I push it down to -25 on the printers correction software (which I usually don't use, but I can't choose "don't color manage when I just print with black.).

Any pointers or useful websites. When I print color everything looks great, but this is my first time trying to print b&w.

Thanks

You may if you do much B&W want to got to custom B&W print set up. You can do it realatively cheaply.

For details see these links.

http://home1.gte.net/res0a2zt/photos.html

http://www.inksupply.com/roarkslab.cfm

[Chaz]

Have you try changing your gamma setting ? If it is on 1.8, try 2.2 to see if that will make your prints darker.