3 Replies Latest reply: Apr 19, 2011 3:04 AM by `Ken` RSS

    Print Problem: inconsistent density between sizes and Lightroom/Photoshop

    `Ken` Community Member

      In the past I printed using only Photoshop. I recently made a batch of prints from Lightroom, using the same paper, printer profile, rendering intent, and noticed that the output does not match the output from Photoshop. The Lightroom prints have noticeably more density. I then noticed that large Lightroom prints, for example 16 x 24, have noticeably more density than smaller size Lightroom 6 inch x 9 inch prints. I find no difference in print density when printing from Photoshop regardless of the print size. I can not determine why I am experiencing these variations in print output.

       

      All prints are made using an Epson 7900 on Museo Portfolio Rag, same ICC profiles, same exact setup in the Epson printer driver (off no color adjustment), PS: PS manage color and same icc profile specified in both  Lightroom and Photoshop. The computer is a Windows 7 machine.

       

      Has any one else experienced these problems? My first thought is that this is some sort of bug in Lightroom's color management. But if that was true, then it seems like a lot of people would be having this problem. I have been using a color managed workflow for a number of years and have gotten very satisfactory results. My prints are a close match to the soft proof in Photoshop. Since printing from Lightroom the prints do not match prints made from Photoshop, plus the prints made by Lightroom vary in density depending on the size. Bizarre.

       

      Please help

        • 1. Re: Print Problem: inconsistent density between sizes and Lightroom/Photoshop
          `Ken` Community Member

          Additional information:

           

          The files are 16 bit Adobe RGB. The original raw conversions were done in Lightroom from Canon 5D MKII files. All adjustment were made in Photoshop CS5. The files have a number of layer adjustments with layer masks etc.

           

          Is it possible that Lightroom is failing to pick up the stack of layer adjustments properly.

           

          I want to print in Lightroom because I sell different sizes of the same image and I have set up templates in the Print Module for the different sizes and output paper sizes, sheet or roll (same paper). But the prints from Lightroom are darker, not as close to what I see on my screen in either Photoshop or Lightroom.

          • 2. Re: Print Problem: inconsistent density between sizes and Lightroom/Photoshop
            `Ken` Community Member

            additional follow up test show that the inconsistency between PS and LR occurs at larger sizes.

             

            9 x 18 prints made on sheet paper from PS and LR look identical

            16 x 32 prints made on roll paper from PS and LR, LR print is darker. The PS 16 x 32 print is identical to the 9 x 18 PS and LR prints.

             

            All prints made on Museo Portfolio Rag. ICC profile, Epson printer utility setup are identical. The problem seems to be with LR, why is it producing darker prints made at a larger size, even though printer settings are identical?

             

            Is there anyway of setting up size templates in PS so I can accomplish the same thing as the LR templates allow me to accomplish? I don't see how to do this in PS, perhaps in bridge?

             

            I would appreciate any suggestions.

            • 3. Re: Print Problem: inconsistent density between sizes and Lightroom/Photoshop
              `Ken` Community Member

              Solved. Somehow the custom media setting for the Museo Portfolio Rag paper was lost when I set up the LR template. The custom media setting reduced the color density by -20 in the Epson Printer driver. With out this setting the color density was at the default zero and the density was greater.

               

              This brings up another question that I will have to explore. I arrived at the -20 color density setting when testing various Epson Driver media settings for the 7900 prior to profiling this paper after Epson replaced the nozzle heads on my 7900 printer. I found at the default zero color density I encountered banding. Prior to the replacement of the nozzle heads the default zero color density worked fine and there was no banding. Interestingly, on the 16 x 32 print that mistakenly used the zero color density setting there was no banding. Now I want to go back and redo my media tests. Is it possible that the new print heads needed a breaking in period and that is why I encountered banding on both the Museo Portfolio Rag and the Epson mat paper?