Using a Canon Pro-100 and can't seem to get my prints to match monitor, they print too dark.

I have tried configuring with and without using ICC profile , but no difference.

Help!

Some years ago an Epson guru said his routine answer was to tell the enquirer to put the print under a stronger light.  The print and screen operate differently  -  reflected light vs transmitted light so inconsistencies, especially re light/dark, are going to be part of the deal.  The appearance of prints will vary substantially with the light under which you view them. 

Sandy

Sandy,
Yes. Like Fred, I use an Ott Light which has the right colour temperature and level of illumination when a print is place under it at the correct distance.
Terry

Most screens are set much too bright as default - especially laptops (in my limited experience).  However, the problem is my prints aren't generally viewed outside or beside a window in daylight, therefore I tend to over brighten so they look better in real life viewing conditions.  I know this is heretical, non-PC, etc and less tolerant forums would flame me, set the trolls loose and ban me.   The nice helpful bunch here will sigh and shake their heads, then patiently and politely educate me.

Sandy

Ok, sorry I don't know your name, but I have a Canon Pro 100 and love it to pieces as I told another person on here who just bought one.

I do not know if your monitor is profiled (properly) or at all.
But for the moment let me fill you in.
Terry is the expert monitor profiling person if you need advice there.
I had a Spyder Pro that I used for a long time, but Windows 10 doesn't support it.
The good news is that most decent IPS LCD monitors hold their colors pretty well, so a factory RGB comes very close.

The problem is your monitor is too bright. That causes you to darken the image to compensate, or even an image that is rteally too dark looks good to you.

Profiling the monitor aside, because I don't know if you have done or will do,
This works.
Use Canon Premium Luster or SG-201 Canon premium Semi Gloss and the proper profile that should be assigned to the paper type.
Setting the driver to  COLOR adjustment NONE, Quality to Highest, and paper type to match, Make a nice 8 x 10 or bigger print.

Let that print dry for 12-24 hours. This is very important as the dye ink will cure and lighten up.
Now, under a decent Ott light or at least a lamp with a color temp of 5000-5500K, compare your print to your screen. Reduce brightness and contrast until you match that print.
If you are using a Canon profile and Canon paper, it is printing the image regardless whether your monitor is bright or dark, on  or off.

You will come out so close you will be astonished.
Of course, nothing beats a proper monitor profile, but until then, try this.
OTT lights are around 25 dollars

Fred

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As a  long time user of both the Pro-100 and Qimage, thanks for this great info! I had not been doing much with either lately, but now back into it, I am having a heck of a time with overly-dark prints, and this appears to be the solution.
Can I ask, what are your printer/driver/ICC etc. settings?
Thanks!