canon pro-1 bw printing - color cast

[mateusz_skalski]

<p>Hello,<br>

I bought a canon pro-1 printer a few days back and I've been trying to get a neutral black&white print from it ever since - no matter what I try it gets some kind of a color tint.<br>

I printed from photoshop, lightroom, used both printer's and photoshop's color management, tried different papers (hahnemule Fine Art high-gloss and Ilford Smooth Pearl Paper) both with and without ICC profiles. Converted to grayscale, printed as color too.<br>

No matter what I did they always have some kind of cast.<br>

The ink is original and fresh, when I bought it it was loaded with some second-party tanks (WOX).<br>

Please help! I am going nuts from this :) Everywhere I look they say this printer produces excellent neutral bw images.<br>

Thanks!<br>

Mateusz</p>

[martin_dake]

<p>Even if you have converted the image to B&W and using Photoshop color management make sure there is not an option checkbox for 'Print B&W' or something like.<br>

I don't have a PRO-1 but a PRO-100 and I use PSE; when I get to the print options there is a said checkbox option. If I enable this option the printer tries to use the color inks to make the blacks and I get a greenish cast even though the original image is B& W to begin with.<br>

Just an idea for you to check.</p>

 

[Robin Smith]

<p>You can also think you can adjust the print's overall tone in Lightroom or the printer's printing preferences.</p>

[bruce_watson1]

<p>First, it may take a number of cleaning cycles and/or prints to clear the old inks from your printer.</p>

<p>Second, you have to use the correct ICC profile in the correct way for your workflow. If it's not a custom profile made for this specific printer and this specific paper (that is, not a generic profile made by Canon or your paper supplier) you should expect some level of color cast. The only way to avoid that with a generic profile is to just get lucky. Never happens for me, might happen for you, IDK.</p>

<p>Third, printing B&W with color inks is a royal PITA. Always has been, always will be. If you want a color cast free B&W print, you have to use B&W inks. Color inks aren't going to give you what you say you want. They can get close mind you. But is it close enough for you? Only you can decide.</p>

[mateusz_skalski]

<p>Thank you for all of your replies.<br>

First of all, I did a print with 'black and white photo print' box ticked. The image was converted to grayscale too. Still there was some color cast. <br>

Bruce, I did use ICC's, along with generic profiles. It didn't solve the problem.<br>

My question is how to make this printer use only bw inks for bw prints?</p>

 

[RaymondC]

<p>If the downloaded (free) ICC profiles are not working for you. Have you tried to getting your printer custom calibrated ie - printing out various patterns and using a device to scan it and create your own ICC files? Or someone who ask you to print these charts out and they scan and generate the ICC for you?</p>

<p>One other way is simply to modify the color balance deliberately. Even if it doesn't look good on screen. So it prints differently. One might be able to do this on the printer driver also. Not sure if it would disable the color management though.</p>

<p>Or maybe a RIP software? Like Quadtone RIP. Free download. </p>

[martin_dake]

<blockquote>

<p>First of all, I did a print with 'black and white photo print' box ticked.</p>

</blockquote>

<p> <br>

You want to have that box <strong>unticked</strong>. If you leave it ticked it will force the printer to force B&W using the colors instead of just the B&W inks; at least that what happens on my PRO-100.<br>

Not sure if the Important Notes below are the same for the PRO-1 but it is worth looking into.<br>

<img src="http://canonusa.i.lithium.com/t5/image/serverpage/image-id/2243i1A2EAC873DF6EDA9/image-size/original?v=mpbl-1&px=-1" alt="black and white printing - manuel.png" /><br>

<img src="http://canonusa.i.lithium.com/t5/image/serverpage/image-id/2244i547BEBA9BD3D1BB9/image-size/original?v=mpbl-1&px=-1" alt="color correction.png" /></p>

[ellis_vener_photography]

Along with Martin Drake's advice, I think Bruce Watson's comment about the non-OEM inks is a factor as well. If the inks

are messed up (likely the inks in the line and head are a blend of old and new at this point) no profile can fix that.

[Robin Smith]

<p>I missed the bit about the OEM inks. I would replace with all Canon inks for starters. My Pro 100 gives a good black and white with no visible color hue and I make no extra adjustments to hue in LR.</p>

[mateusz_skalski]

<p>Robin, could you please share your printer settings for bw?<br>

Thanks!<br>

Mat</p>

[Robin Smith]

<p>I convert to black and white in LR and then use the Canon Print Pro App (supplied with the Pro-100) to print in "Pro" mode - highest quality. The Pro mode selects the correct sharpening and also the ICC profiles for Photo Paper Plus Glossy II or Pro Premium Matte (which is what I use, or whatever paper you select). You can also just use the Print Pro App with the Pro mode off and fiddle with the settings as you like, but the Pro mode works so well I just use that. The Print Pro App you can launch as an application from within LR and is fully integrated with it.</p>