Checking printer default for picture setup

I didn't realise some printer default settings are based on the manufactures default and not the best for photos. Most cameras use what is called sRGB colour although they can be set to adobe colour( depending on camera) . I found this out when I wasn't satisfied with the reproduction between computer screen image and hard glossy print image.

I am not talking about the quality of print which depends on if you have it set to best-normal-draft or custom which governs the amount of ink used, just the reproduction likeness. Taking into account how good the computer screen is in the first place.

I had the devils own job to find out what was wrong, why? because all printer manufactures hide their true colour print settings, you won't find them in any manual nor on the screen printer preferences.

Ok now where to find them, if we begin with on the computer Windows (mac/vista may be different)

Start-settings-printer/fax- right click over printer picture-properties-colour management. That is where you will find the printer default setting. Click on the colour management and a drop down list should appear.
Now on my HP Photosmart it was defaulted to an HP setting but at the bottom of the list was sRGB which I made default and as I explained most cameras work on sRGB, and the difference was astounding. However on my Hewlett Packard 1220c the default was already on sRGB. A friend has a Canon printer and all all it came up with was a list of letters and numbers which I think is disgusting for a firm like Canon, not allowing you to change settings without explaination of those numbers/letters. If I had a Canon printer I would be straight onto Canon for a breakdown of them.

Just something that members may want to check for themselves.

Bazza

I`ve always used Epson printers, [ more fool me ! ], and prints never matched the colours on the screen, then very recently I got a new Brother printer and was very disappointed that prints were even more `wishy washy` than the Epsons I`ve had.
Thanks to your tip I had a look at the Brothers settings `just in case`, found the sRGB and yes what a difference !!!

Thank you for posting the tip

Bazza,

Thanks for this information. I have a Canon printer and my photos are printing darker than those in Photoshop CS4 which is setup to control the printer.

I went into the printer properties using your instructions and in Colour Management; the ICC Profile was set to my monitor calibration profile. I clicked Add scrolled through the list avoiding the Canon ones and found sRGB IEC616966-2.1 which is the industry standard and added it by highlighting it and clicking OK; I then set it as the default profile by clicking Set as Default Profile.

This did give me a lighter image closer to that on the monitor; though there were some lines appearing on the print, however some of my ink levels have been showing as low for awhile and this may account for the lines.

Brian