Making blacks black

ed_k

Jr. Member

Posts: 51

Making blacks black

« on: October 27, 2011, 04:21:28 PM »

When printing this image http://ed-k-photo.smugmug.com/Other/HHPC-hall-prints/19733105_CpbQ8h#1552702480_GFJP3dt-A-LB, the black sky prints mostly charcoal gray (with some areas of black - mostly outlining the bright fireworks). Qimage slide show & soft proof options show the image correctly (correctly as measured by what I see on my calibrated monitor during post). I get the same incorrect result using both the correct printer ICC as well as "Let printer manage...." and with several rendering intent options.

I suspect the answer is in the various rendering intent options. I've tried several and Relative + BP compensation get me closest with the black but then warm colors are off.

Epson 3800; never had any problems of any sort before. ??

Ideas? Suggestions?

TIA


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Terry-M

The Honourable Metric Mann
Forum Superhero

Posts: 3251

Re: Making blacks black

« Reply #1 on: October 27, 2011, 05:13:18 PM »

Hi Ed,
Looking at your image in Firefox with colour management on, the "black" at the top of the image varies from 2,2,2 on the LHS to around 28,28,28 on the RHS. I realise the image may have become altered in the process to post it but it may be worth clipping the dark end in Levels to obtain a more uniform black. Do this in the Qimage editor for easy changes.
Terry


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ed_k

Jr. Member

Posts: 51

Re: Making blacks black

« Reply #2 on: October 27, 2011, 05:59:35 PM »

Thanks, Terry.

I had noticed the areas of "almost" black and accepted them as being almost black - but a little lighter because of the nearby ambient fireworks light.

I was totally blown away when those blacks printed closer to middle gray.

Solved the problem by 1) doing a print head check (guess which one needed cleaned?) and 2) doubling down by making everything that was "almost" black 0,0,0. I'm sure that the clogged black (2 or 3 in fact) print heads were to blame.

Thanks again for your time & interest.

Ed


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Terry-M

The Honourable Metric Mann
Forum Superhero

Posts: 3251

Re: Making blacks black

« Reply #3 on: October 27, 2011, 09:05:28 PM »

Hi Ed,

Quote

Solved the problem by 1) doing a print head check (guess which one needed cleaned?)

It's a common problem that "wrong colour" is caused by blocked jets. It's not usually a black though!
Glad to hear the problem is solved.
Terry


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