How to generate a simple RGB printer profile using ArgyllCMS and the CR30 colorimeter/spectrophotometer

[ohtoulouz]

Well,
I think I have another question. I have two printers: an Epson XP-970 and a Canon pro-300. I tested paper profiling on the XP-970 and was very happy with the result on a low cost mat paper (compared to a generic mat paper profile). On the Canon-pro-300, the same profiling procedure (and the same paper, of course) leads to different results: colors are a bit light and, the most important to me, there is a slight red cast in the deep shadows that is not present on the XP-970 prints. I have no to little knowledge about icc profiles and I do not understand the difference: I thought that printer profiling should have taken care of potential color cast. Is it because there are not enough gray/or black patches (my 204 patches target is generated with -d2 and -g16)? XP-970 uses die ink whereas Pro-300 uses pigment ink, but that should not be the reason. If you have ideas to improve the results, do not hesitate to post them!
Thanks,
Pierre

 

[pharmacist]

I would start with my 300 patch target. I have tested the profiling making with 3 printers: dye printers like the Canon TS705 and the Epson ET-8550 and the pigment photo printer Epson SC-P900 using different papers, like glossy, satin and matte and all prints look more and less the same (within the gamut range of each printer/paper/ink combination off course). My 300 patch target has I think 36 grey steps included.

 

[ohtoulouz]

I would start with my 300 patch target.

Thanks. I will try. I began with ~200 patches because I thought that 300 were too small. But, with a bit of practice, I think I can manage such small patches now.
Cheers.

 

[ohtoulouz]

Hello @pharmacist

I made the profile with your 300 patches target. There is a very slight improvement in the shadow, that are less red (it is noticeable with both prints side by side - the difference is very tiny). But it is an improvement. Well, maybe 200 patch was not enough. I will try with more than 300 and more gray/black patch to see if there is a difference.

Cheers.

 

[pharmacist]

Did you tried a different rendering intent like perceptual intent with BPC enabled ? Normally 300 patches will already do a good job. Sometimes choosing another intent can improve print quality. Normally 51 is a good maximum for grey steps.

 

[ohtoulouz]

No, I generally use Relative colorimetry with BPC. To be honnest, the result is quite good with your target. Maybe, I'll try to refine it a bit if I have time. Thank you for your help !