Graphics Programs Reference
In-Depth Information
When you buy a color inkjet printer and install the printer driver that comes with it,
it basically lets Photoshop know what kind of printer is being used, and that's about
it. But to get pro-quality results, you need a color profile for your printer based on
the exact type of paper you'll be printing on. Most inkjet paper manufacturers now
create custom profiles for their papers, and you can usually download them free
from their websites. Does this really make that big a difference? Ask any pro.
Here's how to find and install these profiles:
The Other Secret to
Getting Pro-Quality
Prints That Match
Your Screen
Step One:
Your first step is to go to the website of
the company that makes the paper you're
going to be printing on and search for
their downloadable color profiles for your
printer. I use the term “search” because
they're usually not in a really obvious
place. I use two Epson printers—a Stylus
Photo R2880 and a Stylus Pro 3880—and
I generally print on Epson paper. When
I installed the 3880's printer driver, I was
tickled to find that it also installed custom
color profiles for all Epson papers (this
is rare), but my R2880 (like most print-
ers) doesn't. So, the first stop would be
Epson's website, where you'd click on the
Printers & All-in-One Printers link under
Get Drivers & Support (as shown here).
Note: Even if you're not an Epson user,
still follow along (you'll see why).
Step Two:
Once you get to Drivers & Support, find
your particular printer in the list. Click on
that link, and on the next page, click on
Drivers & Downloads (choose Windows
or Macintosh). On that page is a link to
the printer's Premium ICC Profiles page.
 
 
 
Search WWH ::




Custom Search