PSE5 and Epson R260 Nightmare - Is it the ink?

[JohnB96]

My R260 is driving me nuts! No matter what I do, I can't get consistent color. Initially prints were great. Then a green cast. Now a heavy magenta cast. I've tried every setting to force the printer not to manage color. I have switched to remanufactured cartridges from PCink, but still use Epson paper. All 6 cartridges were replaced within the same hour. (Been using a bunch of ink.) All I've been able to do is select color managemnt, gamma 1.5, -4 magenta, to get close, but still have the magenta cast. Would like to stay with the remanufactured cartridges if possible; it saves on my costs which I can pass on to the customer. Suggestions?

PSE5 for editing, Qimage for printing.

Thanks,

John

[Diana]

Hi John,

I don't know if this will help, but you might check out this POTN forum thread. Post #4 in that thread also has another link to check out. It sounds like someone with a similar problem.

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=480082

[athegn]

Suggestions?

Have you got printer profiles for that particular ink (remanufactured cartridges) on that particular paper (Epson) on that particular printer (R260)

If not then you may never get consistent colour. Even if you do get profiles made can you guarantee that your (remanufactured cartridges; I assume they are always the same make?) will always be made to the same consistent standard as Epson cartridges.

As a professional "...I can pass on to the customer.." you should investigate colour management; it is a very complex subject.

[Codebreaker]

John....

A magenta cast is often caused by double colour management. Meaning that you have the Print Program trying to manage the colours and the Printer Driver also trying to manage the colours.

Check the settings in both and make sure only one of them does it.

Colin

[JohnB96]

I've tried to make sure I wasn't double profiling--turning off color management at the printer. Epson has told me the same thing, but with nothing specific for PSE. Don't know about profiles for the cartridges. I'll be looking into that shortly. I suppose I could not be a cheapskate and go with OEM ink. And maybe it's just time to get a high end printer to do it right. Just hate to have to spend money that's just come in from paying work. (whine)

Thanks again,

John

[Codebreaker]

John....

Take a look at my web site - the section on Colour Problems. It has the basics of colour management and details on Elements and Printer settings - albeit it PSE 4 and the Epson R2400. The principles will be the same for other versions.

You don't actually get profiles for inks but for a paper/ink combination. If you use Epson paper and inks with their profiles you should get good results.

Colin