Hi Sam,
I have Canon LiDE 110 scanner and VueScan - will these meet the requirement?
You have the ideal combination; the program developer Mike Chaney, the program developer, recommends the Lide and the use of Vuescan with Canon scanners.
Regarding you images of test prints (scans shown I assume), using an Epson paper & inks with an Epson profile should give a good result.
I note the hand written text under one image says "vivid" which implies the driver was set to "color controls" instead of "No Color Adjustment" for correct use of a profile with colour management.
How are you printing, what software are you using, is it colour management aware?
Also why print a test image in grey scale, what about the colours?
Sorry about all the questions but we need to understand your processes.
I am using many types of paper and a few inks too from Inktec and generic one (no-name)
I suggest you try to standardise on a few papers and one inkset per printer; the printer brand ink will be the most reliable but if using a compatible ink, it must be consistent.
Is there a way I can ask for one ICC profile be made here before I can plunge in to get my own Profile Prism?
Not unless some has one already that matches a printer, ink set and paper. However, most profile Prism users are very satisfied with the results, see
http://ddisoftware.com/tech/profile-prism/thumbs-up-for-pp/There's a great deal of useful information on the web site
http://www.ddisoftware.com/prism/help/P.S: I am also looking for a used calibration device to calibrate my LCD
You'll have to search e-bay!
A calibrated monitor is usually the first step towards full colour management. I use an X-Rite Eye One 2 Display device and you can download the software for older models from the X-Rite web site.
I hope that is of some help but if you can comment & answer the questions, we can probably help a little more.
Terry