Epson 2100/2200 prints often too dark

[Coolasblu]

I use the epson papers for my printer, i.e. semi-gloss and archival matt.
9/10 times my prints are too dark and this is despite using 2 different
computers and LCD panels to print from. I print from PSP8, Photoshop CS as
well as Epson PhotoQuicker.

Currently I have only used the default settings.

Should I manual print and enter the advanced settings ?
Should I try non-epson paper?
Should I try non-epson ink?

I hate wasting ink and paper and time!

Has anyone had any similar experiences or and solutions ?

 

[CWatters]

I have an Epson 2100 and seem to get good results on most papers I've tried.
A new paper either seems to work ok or not at all (eg the ink comes off on
the rollers). Most of my prints are done with the default settings and I
print from various free programs without any fancy profiles (eg Irfanview).
Have you tried any test mages from the web (eg colour scales) to see if any
levels are missing at the dark end?

I have more problems with my camera then the printer.

 

[Coolasblu]

Which papers have you tried ?

 

[CWatters]

Which papers have you tried ?

I've been using mostly A4 photo glossy paper (and some A3 Matt for CAD
drawings) that I can get locally here in Belgium...

Epson
Ilford
HP
TDK
and various supermarket own brands.

The "TDK Pro quality Photo Glossy 270g" gives me quite good results. It
is/was at least as good as the Epson paper and perhaps has a marginally
better gloss?

I also have an HP printer so I tried their HP Photo Glossy paper to see if I
could use it in the Epson - it didn't work - the pigment ink in the 2100
didn't dry fast enough and came off on the rollers. Must be different paper
technology.

Recently I purchased some "GMT NET" brand (Carrefour own brand) paper also
marked "270g Photo Premium Glossy" for some non critical work. To my
surprise I found it has the highest gloss I've seen to date.

Colin

 

[KBob]

I have an Epson 2100 and seem to get good results on most papers I've tried.
A new paper either seems to work ok or not at all (eg the ink comes off on
the rollers). Most of my prints are done with the default settings and I
print from various free programs without any fancy profiles (eg Irfanview).
Have you tried any test mages from the web (eg colour scales) to see if any
levels are missing at the dark end?

I have more problems with my camera then the printer.

Have you made any attempt to profile your printer/paper combinations?
What brands and types of paper are you having trouble with? Some
papers tend to form overly dark images, possibly because of the way
they absorb ink. If you use non-Epson papers, try printing to them
with other paper settings (don't use "premium" setting) that use less
ink. Get a Macbeth chart and compare printed results to that, or find
good test prints on the web. Here are a couple URLs with test images:
http://www.arweb.co.uk/imagetrain/calibration/printest/index.html
http://homepages.borland.com/efg2lab/Graphics/Colors/ColorCharts.htm
http://www.ent.orst.edu/urban/MacBeth.html

The last entry contains an image of a Macbeth Color Chart that
visually agrees with mine.

Overall, Epson papers may not be all they're cracked up to be. One of
the worst papers I ever made the mistake of buying was Epson Glossy.
Worse even than some of the cut-rate glossy papers available at the
discount outlets. Their high-end papers are terribly overpriced, and
comparable or superior papers are available from many sources. My
all-out favorite for glossy papers is TDK Pro or Reference series, but
Red River also has some great papers, as does Ilford.