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3. Adjust the image size. Your print should be the size you want it to be when it's printed and be set to 240 DPI
4. Now you have to convert to profile. This will turn your file into the correct color profile for the paper and printer that you're using.
3. Preparing for print – In Photoshop select "Edit" in the top menu and the scroll down and select "Convert to Profile..." Select the "Destination Space" P4880 PLPP260" (which stands for Premium Luster Photography Paper, 260 pertains to Epson's grading settings). If you would like a detailed list of what these ICC color profile codes translate to, you can download this spreadsheet "key" and assorted PDFs which explain the ideal settings for each.
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The wise photographer always prints out test strips with different levels applied and ideally a color Profile Proof. You can use the Profile Proof image below. Remember keep all you test files separate from your master copies. |
Profile Proof (click on the image to download)
4. The Print Dialog Box: there are several settings to be aware of in this box.
Printer: make sure that the Epson Stylus Pro 4880 is select.
Page orientation: make sure that your paper is set to be the right way up.
Scale to Fit Media: it is best not to resize your image in this dialog box, it is best to define the correct size in your Photoshop project.
Color Management: the "Document" radio button should already be selected because you defined the Profile in the earlier steps.Color Handling: "Photoshop Manages Color"
Printer profile: Reselect the printer profile again from this list, e.g: Pro4880 PLPP260
Rendering Intent: Perceptual
When you have verified that the settings above are correct click on the "Print Settings..." button (underneath "Copies:").
5. The print settings button opens the printer's settings as opposed to Photoshop's print settings. You can check each of these setting groups specifically by using the scroll menu (labelled "Layout" in the screenshot pictured below). The only setting in the scroll menu that you need to work with are: Layout, Color Matching and Printer Settings. Layout is important as it is here where you can define the precise paper size, this is crucial if you are working with non standard paper or a paper roll.
6. In the Color Matching controls make sure that they are set to use "ColorSync" this allows the printer to interact with the ICC profile defined in Photoshop.
7. The most important controls are the options for Printer Settings. In general you will only ever have to work with the Basic settings, however if you plan to use the Advanced B+W mode you may need to look at the advanced settings to make the appropriate color temperature tweaks.
Important Settings:
Page Setup: you defined these settings in the Layout window, but you do need to let the printer know whether you are using a paper roll or the Paper Tray.
Media Type: it is really important to pick the correct paper type other the printer may not print at all (or the results will be erratic). The settings shown below are correct for the "Premier Premium Photo, Micropore Luster 10.4 MiL" used in CAMS. If you are unsure of the correct settings, check the manufacturers website or the ICC spreadsheet which is linked to in this tutorial.
Print Mode: AccuPhoto HD (this is a personal preference)
Color Mode: Epson or Adobe the difference is not really perceivable it is worth comparing them though to come to your own conclusions.
Output Resolution: SuperPhoto 2880dpi this is specified by the manufacturers for the "Micropore Luster".
8. When you are finished click "Save" to store all of your settings. You will be sent back to the dialog shown in step 4, click print and you should have a beautiful print in a few minutes. Remember This is VERY important. The printer and the computer have to agree with each other about how the image should be printed. The image below shows the settings for "Epson Enhanced Matte Paper". The rest of the tutorial will show this as the choice. However, if you choose a different paper, you will use THAT profile instead. Here's the chart:
Paper that you choose | Profile that you should use for the settings |
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Epson Glossy | Epson Stylus Pro 7700_7710_9700_9710 PremiumGlossyPhotoPaper250 |
Epson Enhanced Matte | Epson Stylus Pro 7700_7710_9700_9710 EnhancedMattePaper |
Hahnemühle Glossy | HFA_Eps9600_PK_PRBaryta |
Hahnemühle Matte | HFA_Eps9600_MK_PhotoRag |
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If you use your OWN paper, it will require a different Color Profile. Speak with PEPS/IdeaLab staff if you have your own paper to ensure that the computer has the correct color profile for the paper you have. 
Again: In the photo below, we've chosen the Enhanced Matte choice. This would be different, if you use a different paper type.
5. You may have noticed that your photograph has 'changed' slightly. That's because the file is now converted for the paper profile you've just chosen. If you don't like the way your image looked after you've done this. Spend some time adjusting levels and curves etc to get the image on the screen to look the way you want it to look.
6. Now we're ready to Print. Go to File> Print. 
7. Now we have to change all of the settings in this window to reflect several things. The printer, the paper size, the paper type, and the correct color profile.
7-A. Choose the correct Printer (In this case, you're using the Epson Stylus Pro 9700-1) 
7-B. Change the color handling to Photoshop Manages Colors 
7-C. Change the Printer Profile to the same color profile you chose before. In this example, Enhanced Matte Paper. But you may be using Hahnemüle Glossy, in which case, you'd choose the HFA_Eps9600_PK_PRBaryta. Make sense? 
7-D. Make sure that the Rendering Intent is set to Perceptual. And turn off the Black Point Compensation. 
7-E. Now we go into the Print Settings and make sure the paper is set correctly, and that it's printing on the correct type of paper. 
7-F. Change the Paper Size from whatever it is, chose "Manage Custom Sizes" And create a new custom size by hitting the Plus symbol under the list of paper-sizes.
7-G. I've changed the Untitled to "My Print" and am now going to put in the custom paper size that will fit my print-file in inches, but trying not to waste paper.
7-H. My print is 40 inches by 26 inches. So I've set the paper size to be 44in wide (that's how wide the roll is) and 28 inches in height so that I have room around my print. Click OK once you're done.
7-I.The paper size now reflects my custom print, and tells me that it's 44.00 by 28.00 inches. Now we have to go into the Printer Settings.
7-J. Media Type should be set to the correct paper. In our example below, we're choosing Enhanced Matte Paper.
7-K.SuperPhoto - 1440 dpi should be selected, and also make sure that High Speed Printing is checked!
7-L.Once all these settings have been chosen, press Save.
7-M. I've changed the paper size, paper type and color profile. I may have to change the orientation of the print from Portrait to Landscape (as I did in this example) Make sure your print falls within the white part of the preview, and that nothing is being cropped. Now, you can click Print.
8. If you did everything correctly in steps 7-A – 7-M you should have a print that looks as close as possible to what you see on your monitor.
Remember to allow luster a bit of time to dry, we have art handling gloves in the IdeaLab if you need to borrow some.
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- At the IdeaLab: Fiona MacNeill or Tucker MacNeill can help with printing. Please make a printing consultation appointment by sending an e-mail to: idealab@carleton.edu