Mike Barton Photography - Digital Neutral Density Filter

Epson 2200 Color Management Workflow

Introduction

There is a lot of discussion of Internet forums about this subject. Even though they have good intent, most of the advice on forums is not detailed enough to really you get started. There are also many articles out there about Epson 2200 printing techniques that talk about everything from custom profiles to RIP imaging software. But I prefer to keep it simple. I like the results I get with the workflow that I use. You may have seen my article, The Epson 2200 Buying Decision, and read what I went through when I first used my Epson 2200.

Here is the workflow I use to print on Epson Enhanced Matte paper from Adobe Photoshop 7 in Window XP. You can use the same workflow for other paper types, but you need to adjust accordingly. Since I'm printing on Epson Enhanced Matte paper, this workflow requires that you replace the Photo Black ink with Epson's Matte Black ink. To see a review on Matte Black Ink, you can find it here.

Procedure

Before you begin, make sure you have a calibrated monitor or you'll waste a lot of time, ink and paper. Without a calibrated monitor, you won't have a correct image to compare your print to.

Download the SP2200 Enhanced Matte_MK.icm from Epson if you don't already have it. Save it to this folder: Windows/System32/Spool/Drivers/Color. Note: Not all Epson 2200 printers are not the same, so may need to try other profiles until you get the results you want. Epson also may have new profiles by the time your read this.

1. Select File>Print with Preview …. to get the dialog box below. Make sure the "Show More Options" box is checked so that you can view the expanded dialog box.

2. Select Color Management from the pull-down menu. Then choose Document: Adobe RGB (1998).

3. Under Print Space, select SP2200 Enhanced Matte_MK or profile of choice from the drop down menu. Then select Relative Colorimetric.

4. Next, make sure to select the "Use Black Point Compensation" checkbox. When finished, press the Print button.

5. In the Print dialog shown below, make sure the Epson Stylus Photo 2200 is selected and then press the Properties button.

6. When the Epson Stylus Photo 2200 Properties dialog box appears, press the Advanced button.

7. In the upper letter portion of the dialog box below, change the paper to Enhance Matte Paper.

8. Next, change the resolution to Photo-1440dpi. Many studies I have read say that there is no noticeable difference between printing at 1444dpi and 2440dpi. You just use more ink when printing at 2440dpi.

9. Then select the paper size and choose between Portrait or Landscape. Make sure to uncheck High Speed and Edge Smoothing.

10. In the upper right portion of the dialog box, check the ICM and No Color Adjustment settings. This step is critical if you want to avoid double profiling. Click on "Save Settings"

11. The "Custom Settings" dialog box appear as shown below. I save settings for each paper size and orientation so that I don't have to go through this process each time I print. Type in the name to identify the custom setting and press save. In the future when you want print, all you have to do is select the name of your customer setting in the "Custom Settings" drop down box and settings appear.

Double check everything and then press ok in the Epson Stylus Photo 2200 Properties dialog box and OK in the Print dialog box. Good luck!




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	Epson 2200 Color Management Workflow Introduction There is a lot of discussion of Internet forums about this subject. Even though they have good intent, most of the advice on forums is not detailed enough to really you get started. There are also many articles out there about Epson 2200 printing techniques that talk about everything from custom profiles to RIP imaging software. But I prefer to keep it simple. I like the results I get with the workflow that I use. You may have seen my article, The Epson 2200 Buying Decision, and read what I went through when I first used my Epson 2200. Here is the workflow I use to print on Epson Enhanced Matte paper from Adobe Photoshop 7 in Window XP. You can use the same workflow for other paper types, but you need to adjust accordingly. Since I'm printing on Epson Enhanced Matte paper, this workflow requires that you replace the Photo Black ink with Epson's Matte Black ink. To see a review on Matte Black Ink, you can find it here. Procedure Before you begin, make sure you have a calibrated monitor or you'll waste a lot of time, ink and paper. Without a calibrated monitor, you won't have a correct image to compare your print to. Download the SP2200 Enhanced Matte_MK.icm from Epson if you don't already have it. Save it to this folder: Windows/System32/Spool/Drivers/Color. Note: Not all Epson 2200 printers are not the same, so may need to try other profiles until you get the results you want. Epson also may have new profiles by the time your read this. 1. Select File>Print with Preview …. to get the dialog box below. Make sure the "Show More Options" box is checked so that you can view the expanded dialog box. 2. Select Color Management from the pull-down menu. Then choose Document: Adobe RGB (1998). 3. Under Print Space, select SP2200 Enhanced Matte_MK or profile of choice from the drop down menu. Then select Relative Colorimetric. 4. Next, make sure to select the "Use Black Point Compensation" checkbox. When finished, press the Print button. 5. In the Print dialog shown below, make sure the Epson Stylus Photo 2200 is selected and then press the Properties button. 6. When the Epson Stylus Photo 2200 Properties dialog box appears, press the Advanced button. 7. In the upper letter portion of the dialog box below, change the paper to Enhance Matte Paper. 8. Next, change the resolution to Photo-1440dpi. Many studies I have read say that there is no noticeable difference between printing at 1444dpi and 2440dpi. You just use more ink when printing at 2440dpi. 9. Then select the paper size and choose between Portrait or Landscape. Make sure to uncheck High Speed and Edge Smoothing. 10. In the upper right portion of the dialog box, check the ICM and No Color Adjustment settings. This step is critical if you want to avoid double profiling. Click on "Save Settings" 11. The "Custom Settings" dialog box appear as shown below. I save settings for each paper size and orientation so that I don't have to go through this process each time I print. Type in the name to identify the custom setting and press save. In the future when you want print, all you have to do is select the name of your customer setting in the "Custom Settings" drop down box and settings appear. Double check everything and then press ok in the Epson Stylus Photo 2200 Properties dialog box and OK in the Print dialog box. Good luck!