(Hopefully Mike won't see this post!
) If I'm reading you right, you want to tweak your image before you run an actual print. There's a way to do something like this in QU, but it's not very user-friendly for users such as myself. (I'd say it's somewhat klunky, but I won't, just in case you-know-who sees this.)
As I posted in a different thread over on DPR, I usually print on RR Polar Luster Metallic, but sometimes it's not the best paper, or I don't have the size I want/need (no 13x19 metallic at this time); using the "Edit Image" function in QU, I can change brightness, contrast, tones, colors, etc, to suit the paper, and save those as separate settings for that image, or to use with other images when changing to that paper. Most of my prints hang in my home, but move from location to location (room to room, hallway to room, whatever), and I'll want to change how the print presents. And occasionally I need to get the print to be a closer match to my monitor (17-in HP notebook). (Just to be clear: I run a print on the different paper, if it isn't right, I'll tweak the printing parameters before running another print, and generally get it right on that next run. And then save that edit as a Job.)
The only reason I have issues with this procedure is that I only work on that 17-in monitor (I change location, including sometimes working out on the deck). And while the notebook is generally fast enough for most of my needs, the image editor preview window is a little small and more than a little slow, especially when toggling the effect change between before and after. Folks with regular/normal computer setups probably won't run into this. But I will admit, if I'm not in a hurry, I do use it and it works find.
I don't know if that's what you're looking for, but you might spend some time playing around with it so that you're familiar and comfortable using it; for me it took some getting used to. It might be a useful tool on occasion.
If none of the above is what you were talking about, then just ignore all of this!