Mike Chaney's Tech Corner

I have two Canon Pro-100s. One uses Precision Colors ink and one uses genuine Canon ink.  I like to do proofing with the inexpensive PC ink and then print the final output with the genuine Canon ink. When I switch printers Qimage automatically changes to the last paper type, size, and settings that I used with that printer. I then have to go and reset them to what I was using on the PC ink printer. Is there any way to prevent the automatic paper switching when I select the other printer? I searched, but could not find the answer.

I don't see how that could happen.  If you have two printers, they have to have different printer names (the Windows name of the two printers must be unique).  For example, if you have two Canon Pro-100 printers, you might see:

Canon PRO-100 series
Canon PRO-100 series (Copy 1)

These two printers will be treated as completely different printers (which they are) by Qimage.  So if, for example, the (Copy 1) printer is the one with PC ink, each time you switch to that printer, Qimage will restore the settings for the media type you are using and it'll restore all your settings for PC inks.  Conversely, when you select the one without the (Copy 1), it'll restore settings for the OEM inks.  I would think that would be extremely helpful in your situation!  As long as the two show as different printers, Qimage will never mix up the settings you used for one with the other.

Regards,
Mike

Yes, I have a number of printer names. That is not the problem. The problem is that I proof with the cheap ink and then print the final version on the printer with Canon ink. For instance, I may be printing a 13x19 B&W image on a good matte paper. After proofing, I decide to print the final version. In Qimage I select the Canon-ink printer. It then changes all of the settings to whatever I had printed last on the Canon-ink printer--maybe a 8x10 color print on metallic paper. I have to then reset everything back to what I had chosen when proofing. What I would like is to be able to select the other printer without changing all the other settings. Is that possible?

Thanks,
George

Not really possible as in reality they are two different drivers and you can't copy settings from one driver to another even if technically they are the same driver type.  What I would do is use printer setups: that's why Qimage is so flexible in that area.  For example, create and save two printer setups like this.  Name the two setups:

Canon Pro-100 Good Matte Paper 13x19 (Canon ink)
Canon Pro-100 Good Matte Paper 13x19 (PC ink)

Then when you are doing your proofing, you recall the "Canon Pro-100 Good Matte Paper 13x19 (PC ink)" printer setup and set things up how you like.  When done, you simply recall the other printer setup named "Canon Pro-100 Good Matte Paper 13x19 (Canon ink)" and print your final.  When you load that Canon ink printer setup, the printer is changed to your printer that prints Canon inks, the paper size is set to 13x19, the media type is correct, profile is correct, etc.

So in summary, instead of changing the printer, you just click the "Recall saved printer settings" button next to the "Properties" button that opens the driver and select the printer setup you want.

Regards,
Mike

Seems like sound advice. I have been avoiding it because I print on such a variety of papers and sizes, but it shouldn't take too long and the payback will be huge over the long run. And I could just do them each time I print a different paper. Pretty soon they would all be done.

Thanks for the suggestion and for producing such a great piece of software!

George