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

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
 
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.
 
pharmacist said:
I would start with my 300 patch target.
Click to expand...
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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 !
 
A big upgrade thanks to @itsab1989 and his relentless efforts he has put (together with Knut) on ChromIQ. It is now possible to use ChromIQ to use the CR30 device to generate accurate printer profiles and indirectly to profile your scanner(s) as well.

This dramatically simplifies my previous workflow from several programs to just one: ChromIQ and the following driver you need to install on your system in order for ChromIQ to see your device:

Please install one of these Windows/Linux/MAC drivers so your CR30 and the corresponding version of ChromIQ (version 4.1.15 and higer) will work together to get a much better user experience.

Here my CR30 is scanning the target generated by ChromIQ:

20260830_105800.jpg


The interface in ChromIQ with visual control between expected and measured values in order to have a fast visual control your scanning the right patch:

20260830_105804.jpg


This is the scan of the print I have made with ChromIQ with my CR30 on cheap cast paper (Action Glossy 210 gsm) on my Epson ET-18100 scanned on my calibrated Epson WF-7840 scanner, which has been calibrated using a 744-patch target with ChromIQ as well:

img20260830_14312253.jpg


As you can see: accurated colours and neutral greys with just 368 patches.

Because of the nifty ChromIQ engine a target scanned with the CR30 you now can calibrate your scanner as well with the CR30..
 

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