Epson R300 Colour Issue

[Steve]

When I first got the R300 I could print from windows XP photo folder direct
by 'right click - print' and photos would come out fine.

Recently when printing via XP the photos now come out really dark even
though I'm using exactly the same settings as before.

Ink refills are the original Epson ones and are not empty.

If I print the selected photos using Epson Photoquicker software or the HP
Photosmart software from my old printer - hey presto - perfect photos. This
would in my mind rule out a hardware problem.

Am totally baffled. Only differnce that I have made to system recently was
installing XP service pack 2.

Any solution or ideas as to problem would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks in advance

 

[Si]

When I first got the R300 I could print from windows XP photo folder direct
by 'right click - print' and photos would come out fine.

Recently when printing via XP the photos now come out really dark even
though I'm using exactly the same settings as before.

Ink refills are the original Epson ones and are not empty.

If I print the selected photos using Epson Photoquicker software or the HP
Photosmart software from my old printer - hey presto - perfect photos. This
would in my mind rule out a hardware problem.

Am totally baffled. Only differnce that I have made to system recently was
installing XP service pack 2.

Have you answered your own question there? Is it another SP2 issue?

Si.

 

[leo]

When I first got the R300 I could print from windows XP photo folder
direct by 'right click - print' and photos would come out fine.

Recently when printing via XP the photos now come out really dark even
though I'm using exactly the same settings as before.

Ink refills are the original Epson ones and are not empty.

If I print the selected photos using Epson Photoquicker software or the HP
Photosmart software from my old printer - hey presto - perfect photos.
This would in my mind rule out a hardware problem.

Am totally baffled. Only differnce that I have made to system recently was
installing XP service pack 2.

Any solution or ideas as to problem would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks in advance

I have R200 which is similar. I don't know how to print directly from
Windows. I can give you the direction for printing from Photoshop.

First, make sure you have copied the ICM files for all Epson paper types
from the CD to the system ICM folder. Note: The Epson printer driver install
only one ICM file to the system and it'd contribute to dark printout.

When you print on Photoshop, under file -> print with preview, select print
space profile to the correct Epson paper type. Set the printer driver to use
ICM, and no color correction. The prints should come out perfect.

 

[Steve]

Si, yes, I'm starting to have that horrible feeling that SP2 might be
somehow responsible.

Leo, I have no problem with using third party software, it is the XP print
issue I have which appears to be software fault with OS that i'm looking to
circumvent or patch

 

[Yianni]

Leo, I have no problem with using third party software, it is the XP print

issue I have which appears to be software fault with OS that i'm looking to
circumvent or patch

Steve, don't throw away the Leo's advise, Leo is right. It's a software
profile mismatch.

 

[Brian Titus]

When I first got the R300 I could print from windows XP photo folder direct
by 'right click - print' and photos would come out fine.

Recently when printing via XP the photos now come out really dark even
though I'm using exactly the same settings as before.

Ink refills are the original Epson ones and are not empty.

If I print the selected photos using Epson Photoquicker software or the HP
Photosmart software from my old printer - hey presto - perfect photos. This
would in my mind rule out a hardware problem.

Am totally baffled. Only differnce that I have made to system recently was
installing XP service pack 2.

Any solution or ideas as to problem would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks in advance

I have the same issue going on with my R200 after installing SP2. I've
got several machines, some with SP2 and some without -- printing the
same pictures on different machines definitely yields different
results. SP2 machine prints very dark, very orange, and grainy. I
thought it was low ink tanks at first so I replaced all of them before
I figured out the SP2 connection. I just wrote Epson and here's how
that went:

-------------
From: Brian Titus
Sent: Wednesday, September 08, 2004 1:53 PM
To: '(e-mail address removed)'
Subject: RE: 20040908060831CInkjet


Hi, thanks for the reply. The problem is not in matching the monitor;
the
problem is that in printing photos via the built-in XP wizard, photos
I
print today -- after installing Service Pack 2 for XP -- are printing
markedly different than when I printed the same photos yesterday --
before
installing SP2. In other words I'm trying to print the same photos,
using
the same driver settings, and I've got a sudden and very noticeable
drop in
quality. I have verified this by printing the same photos from another
computer that hasn't had SP2 installed yet (to the same printer, with
same
paper and settings,) and I'm indeed seeing big differences. It seems
like
there might be a problem with SP2 and the Epson driver.

Brian Titus


-----Original Message-----
From: (e-mail address removed) [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Wednesday, September 08, 2004 1:24 PM

Subject: Re: 20040908060831CInkjet


Thank you for contacting the Epson Connection.

Matching the colors on the monitor to what is printed on the printer
is not
totally reliant on the printer and it's driver. The colors that you
see on
the monitor are based on the RGB, (Red - Green - Blue) combination and
your
printer is a CMYK (Cyan - Magenta - Yellow - Black) device. Some
tweaking
may be required to get your monitor and printer to co-operate.
Generally,
when you print an image, the colors have to convert from the RGB
profile to
the closest available on the CMYK table of colors. If this is not done
properly, the colors will not be accurate.

To match colors, you will first need to ensure that your printer is
functioning properly.

1. Click on START, SETTINGS, and PRINTERS.
2. Right-click on the printer's icon and left-click on PROPERTIES. If
using
XP\2000, select on PRINTING PREFERENCES 3. Select the MAINTENANCE tab,
click
NOZZLE CHECK, then NEXT. 4. A colored pattern of jagged lines
consisting of
small dashes will be produced. Each dash represents a single nozzle
and you
must to ensure that there are no gaps in the test. If so, clean the
head
until the nozzle check is complete.

Next, select different driver settings to see if that affects the
color
match. This is done by manipulating the settings of the driver in the
MAIN
tab. To view your options, either access the driver properties from
within
the application you are using or:

1. Click on START, SETTINGS, and PRINTERS.
2. Right-click on the icon of the printer and left-click on
PROPERTIES. 3.
Go to the MAIN tab and select ADVANCED. 4. Try printing using the
various
settings.

It should also be noted that the type of paper you are using has a
very
profound effect on the quality of the output. For best output, you
should
use Epson brand papers.

Also, you should look into calibrating your monitor, if you have not
done so
already. This can be done using utilities already included within
applications such Adobe PhotoShop or software bundled with scanners.
There
are also third-party color matching software's available.

If you are scanning the images that you are printing, you must leave
the
image in RGB format and not convert them to CMYK. The driver and
software
will do this conversion automatically and if done manually, the color
of
output may be off.

You can also tweak the settings of the software, which will allow you
to
control the quality of the output. The amount of control differs from
program to program. High-end applications, for example, allow for
greater
control.


If you require further assistance with this particular issue, please
ensure
all of our previous correspondence is contained in your reply, so we
can
better track the history of this issue.

If you have a different technical support issue, please submit another
E-form via our website (http://www.epson.com), and we will respond in
a
timely manner. Thank you again for contacting Epson.



Kevin H
Epson Connection

--Your original question has been attached below--

SYSTEM INFORMATION

Printer model name: EPSON Stylus Photo R200
Date of Purchase: 6/04
Serial Number: undefined
Operating System: windows xp
RAM in computer (in megabytes): undefined
Hard Disk space available: undefined
Cable type used: usb
Is the printer connected to a network? directly to computer

PROBLEM REPORT
Software used during problem: XP photo printing wizard
File type being printed: jpeg
Digital Camera Card used:
Detailed Description of Problem:
After installing service pack 2 for XP, my prints have a very orange
cast to
them, and seem to be darker and grainier. I have another machine that
has
not had SP2 installed yet, and it is printing fine (using same
settings), so
it seems to be directly related to the SP2 upgrade. Is there a new
driver
required for SP2? Please advise. Brian Titus

 

[puss]

I have the same issue going on with my R200 after installing SP2. I've
got several machines, some with SP2 and some without -- printing the
same pictures on different machines definitely yields different
results. SP2 machine prints very dark, very orange, and grainy. I
thought it was low ink tanks at first so I replaced all of them before
I figured out the SP2 connection. I just wrote Epson and here's how
that went:

Yes a Robot reply..

 

[Mike Morearty]

Turns out there is indeed a problem with Windows XP SP2 interacting
with the Epson R300. The good news is Epson has released a new driver
to address the problem:

http://www.epson.com/cgi-bin/Store/...ype=FAQ&oid=26322&prodoid=37368458&foid=51142

"Steve" <[email protected]> wrote in message

When I first got the R300 I could print from windows XP photo folder direct
by 'right click - print' and photos would come out fine.

Recently when printing via XP the photos now come out really dark even
though I'm using exactly the same settings as before.

Ink refills are the original Epson ones and are not empty.

If I print the selected photos using Epson Photoquicker software or the HP
Photosmart software from my old printer - hey presto - perfect photos. This
would in my mind rule out a hardware problem.

Am totally baffled. Only differnce that I have made to system recently was
installing XP service pack 2.

Any solution or ideas as to problem would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks in advance

I have the same issue going on with my R200 after installing SP2. I've
got several machines, some with SP2 and some without -- printing the
same pictures on different machines definitely yields different
results. SP2 machine prints very dark, very orange, and grainy. I
thought it was low ink tanks at first so I replaced all of them before
I figured out the SP2 connection. I just wrote Epson and here's how
that went:

-------------
From: Brian Titus
Sent: Wednesday, September 08, 2004 1:53 PM
To: '(e-mail address removed)'
Subject: RE: 20040908060831CInkjet


Hi, thanks for the reply. The problem is not in matching the monitor;
the
problem is that in printing photos via the built-in XP wizard, photos
I
print today -- after installing Service Pack 2 for XP -- are printing
markedly different than when I printed the same photos yesterday --
before
installing SP2. In other words I'm trying to print the same photos,
using
the same driver settings, and I've got a sudden and very noticeable
drop in
quality. I have verified this by printing the same photos from another
computer that hasn't had SP2 installed yet (to the same printer, with
same
paper and settings,) and I'm indeed seeing big differences. It seems
like
there might be a problem with SP2 and the Epson driver.

Brian Titus


-----Original Message-----
From: (e-mail address removed) [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Wednesday, September 08, 2004 1:24 PM

Subject: Re: 20040908060831CInkjet


Thank you for contacting the Epson Connection.

Matching the colors on the monitor to what is printed on the printer
is not
totally reliant on the printer and it's driver. The colors that you
see on
the monitor are based on the RGB, (Red - Green - Blue) combination and
your
printer is a CMYK (Cyan - Magenta - Yellow - Black) device. Some
tweaking
may be required to get your monitor and printer to co-operate.
Generally,
when you print an image, the colors have to convert from the RGB
profile to
the closest available on the CMYK table of colors. If this is not done
properly, the colors will not be accurate.

To match colors, you will first need to ensure that your printer is
functioning properly.

1. Click on START, SETTINGS, and PRINTERS.
2. Right-click on the printer's icon and left-click on PROPERTIES. If
using
XP\2000, select on PRINTING PREFERENCES 3. Select the MAINTENANCE tab,
click
NOZZLE CHECK, then NEXT. 4. A colored pattern of jagged lines
consisting of
small dashes will be produced. Each dash represents a single nozzle
and you
must to ensure that there are no gaps in the test. If so, clean the
head
until the nozzle check is complete.

Next, select different driver settings to see if that affects the
color
match. This is done by manipulating the settings of the driver in the
MAIN
tab. To view your options, either access the driver properties from
within
the application you are using or:

1. Click on START, SETTINGS, and PRINTERS.
2. Right-click on the icon of the printer and left-click on
PROPERTIES. 3.
Go to the MAIN tab and select ADVANCED. 4. Try printing using the
various
settings.

It should also be noted that the type of paper you are using has a
very
profound effect on the quality of the output. For best output, you
should
use Epson brand papers.

Also, you should look into calibrating your monitor, if you have not
done so
already. This can be done using utilities already included within
applications such Adobe PhotoShop or software bundled with scanners.
There
are also third-party color matching software's available.

If you are scanning the images that you are printing, you must leave
the
image in RGB format and not convert them to CMYK. The driver and
software
will do this conversion automatically and if done manually, the color
of
output may be off.

You can also tweak the settings of the software, which will allow you
to
control the quality of the output. The amount of control differs from
program to program. High-end applications, for example, allow for
greater
control.


If you require further assistance with this particular issue, please
ensure
all of our previous correspondence is contained in your reply, so we
can
better track the history of this issue.

If you have a different technical support issue, please submit another
E-form via our website (http://www.epson.com), and we will respond in
a
timely manner. Thank you again for contacting Epson.



Kevin H
Epson Connection

--Your original question has been attached below--

SYSTEM INFORMATION

Printer model name: EPSON Stylus Photo R200
Date of Purchase: 6/04
Serial Number: undefined
Operating System: windows xp
RAM in computer (in megabytes): undefined
Hard Disk space available: undefined
Cable type used: usb
Is the printer connected to a network? directly to computer

PROBLEM REPORT
Software used during problem: XP photo printing wizard
File type being printed: jpeg
Digital Camera Card used:
Detailed Description of Problem:
After installing service pack 2 for XP, my prints have a very orange
cast to
them, and seem to be darker and grainier. I have another machine that
has
not had SP2 installed yet, and it is printing fine (using same
settings), so
it seems to be directly related to the SP2 upgrade. Is there a new
driver
required for SP2? Please advise. Brian Titus

 

[Arthur Entlich]

I meant to post this about a week ago, when I posted it to the Epson
group. Sorry for the delay.

Art

======================

There have been a few glitches with some Epson printer drivers when
people moved from XP with Service pack 1 to Service Pack 2.

I'm not here to point any fingers as to where the problems might have
come from (a good indication may be where the corrections get released
;-)). These issue have showed up with several printer drivers from
several different manufacturers, and are often an interaction between
SP2 and certain driver settings.

In that light, as a service to those who might otherwise be pulling out
hair they can ill afford to be losing... I am providing some recent
postings to the Epson web site. Normally, I would just provide a link,
but Epson has gone to session timers, and so I suspect the url for my
session will no longer work.

Best I can offer is: go to www.epson.com then go to Epson America,
then printers, then tech support and there should be a link under
"Highlights" on the right upper column and a link as: Attention Windows
XP Users

That will take you to the page that explains the issues and offer the
links to each download.

Below is some of the text from Epson's web site explaining which issues
and models are involved.

For the SC2200: New Ink Status Driver 3, v3.1aS

This self-extracting file contains the Epson Stylus Photo 2200 Status
Monitor 3 v3.1aS for Windows 95, 98, Me, NT 4.0, 2000 and XP. This file
enables you to monitor the printer's status and ink levels and support
Windows XP Service Pack 2.


There is a second issue having to do with the P.I.M. (Print Image
Matching) Plug in with certain models and using the XP Photo Printing
Wizard.

Attention Windows XP Users

To ensure compatibility with the latest Windows XP operating system
update, Epson is providing updated drivers for several of its printer
models. If you use Windows XP, you may notice that your photos appear
darker than usual when you print from the Windows XP Photo Printing
Wizard. This may occur after you update Windows, so Epson recommends
that you download the latest printer driver to ensure the highest
quality prints.

We have updated the drivers and posted them on the Epson Support Website
for downloading. For the best printing results, check the list below for
affected printers. Then click on "Download Now" to go to the Drivers &
Downloads page and choose the Windows XP driver. If you are not sure if
you have the newest Epson driver, you should go ahead and download the
update.

Model Name
Stylus CX6400
Stylus CX6600
Stylus Photo R200
Stylus Photo R300
Stylus Photo R300M
Stylus Photo R800
Stylus Photo 2200
Stylus Photo RX500
Stylus Photo RX600

If you do not want to download and install the updated driver, you can
change your printer settings to ensure high quality printing from the
Photo Printing Wizard. Follow these step-by-step instructions.

1. At the Printing Options screen of the Photo Printing Wizard,
click on Printing Preferences as shown below:

2. You see your printer's properties page. Select your Quality and
Paper Options and then click the Advanced button on the Main page.

3. On the Advanced Properties page, check ICM and make sure that No
Color Adjustment is NOT selected. Click OK.

Art

 

[LLutton]

There have been a few glitches with some Epson printer drivers when

people moved from XP with Service pack 1 to Service Pack 2.

I'm not here to point any fingers as to where the problems might have
come from (a good indication may be where the corrections get released
;-)). These issue have showed up with several printer drivers from
several different manufacturers, and are often an interaction between
SP2 and certain driver settings.

In that light, as a service to those who might otherwise be pulling out
hair they can ill afford to be losing... I am providing some recent
postings to the Epson web site. Normally, I would just provide a link,
but Epson has gone to session timers, and so I suspect the url for my
session will no longer work.

Best I can offer is: go to www.epson.com then go to Epson America,
then printers, then tech support and there should be a link under
"Highlights" on the right upper column and a link as: Attention Windows
XP Users

That will take you to the page that explains the issues and offer the
links to each download.

Below is some of the text from Epson's web site explaining which issues
and models are involved.

For the SC2200: New Ink Status Driver 3, v3.1aS

This self-extracting file contains the Epson Stylus Photo 2200 Status
Monitor 3 v3.1aS for Windows 95, 98, Me, NT 4.0, 2000 and XP. This file
enables you to monitor the printer's status and ink levels and support
Windows XP Service Pack 2.


There is a second issue having to do with the P.I.M. (Print Image
Matching) Plug in with certain models and using the XP Photo Printing
Wizard.

Attention Windows XP Users

To ensure compatibility with the latest Windows XP operating system
update, Epson is providing updated drivers for several of its printer
models. If you use Windows XP, you may notice that your photos appear
darker than usual when you print from the Windows XP Photo Printing
Wizard. This may occur after you update Windows, so Epson recommends
that you download the latest printer driver to ensure the highest
quality prints.

We have updated the drivers and posted them on the Epson Support Website
for downloading. For the best printing results, check the list below for
affected printers. Then click on "Download Now" to go to the Drivers &
Downloads page and choose the Windows XP driver. If you are not sure if
you have the newest Epson driver, you should go ahead and download the
update.

Model Name
Stylus CX6400
Stylus CX6600
Stylus Photo R200
Stylus Photo R300
Stylus Photo R300M
Stylus Photo R800
Stylus Photo 2200
Stylus Photo RX500
Stylus Photo RX600

If you do not want to download and install the updated driver, you can
change your printer settings to ensure high quality printing from the
Photo Printing Wizard. Follow these step-by-step instructions.

1. At the Printing Options screen of the Photo Printing Wizard,
click on Printing Preferences as shown below:

2. You see your printer's properties page. Select your Quality and
Paper Options and then click the Advanced button on the Main page.

3. On the Advanced Properties page, check ICM and make sure that No
Color Adjustment is NOT selected. Click OK.

Art

I too had the same problem with my old Epson Stylus Color 900 printer. One of
the upgrades in XP SP2 caused the problem. I got around it by using
PhotoRealistic mode in the printer software. I now use Monaco's profile
software for my printer and scanner and am getting excellent results. These
are just some ideas for others to try in case there is no upgrade for their
printer driver. Others have removed SP2 and solved the problem. They may have
created another problem by the removal.
Lynn

 

[Si]

Turns out there is indeed a problem with Windows XP SP2 interacting
with the Epson R300. The good news is Epson has released a new driver
to address the problem:

http://www.epson.com/cgi-bin/Store/...ype=FAQ&oid=26322&prodoid=37368458&foid=51142

Fantastic!!!!

I've an R200 with exactly the same problem. This link (once I'd found the
R200 pages) fixed it...

NOTE: The Epson UK website does not seem to contain the same driver files -
get the R200 driver from the USA site.

Si.

 

[Si]

Fantastic!!!!

I've an R200 with exactly the same problem. This link (once I'd found the
R200 pages) fixed it...

NOTE: The Epson UK website does not seem to contain the same driver
files - get the R200 driver from the USA site.

Si.

And of course, you should also be able to find new drivers for the other
models that use this engine, the RX500 and RX600.

Si.

 

[William Bell]

And of course, you should also be able to find new drivers for the other
models that use this engine, the RX500 and RX600.

Si.

Yes BUT NOT THE Same Features.

 

[Si]

Yes BUT NOT THE Same Features.

And where did I mention features? The problem - dark printing under SP2
affects all the printers that use the same mechanics, the R200/300 and
RX500/600.

Yes, they have different features, but from the basic R200 up to the top of
the range RX600 - they all have the same printer at their heart.

Si.

 

[Arthur Entlich]

As I understand it, you do not need to download the new driver to
correct the problem that develops with SP2 for these printers. If your
driver has the features discussed at the US Epson website, you only have
to change one check box within one menu in the driver to place it back
to where it is supposed to be. Assuming the UK or other drivers have
the same check box as the US driver, you only have to make that change
and the driver should work properly again without replacing it.

Art

 

[Si]

As I understand it, you do not need to download the new driver to correct
the problem that develops with SP2 for these printers. If your driver has
the features discussed at the US Epson website, you only have to change
one check box within one menu in the driver to place it back to where it
is supposed to be. Assuming the UK or other drivers have the same check
box as the US driver, you only have to make that change and the driver
should work properly again without replacing it.

Art

The problem with that Art, is that choosing ICM as your printing method does
NOT always produce the same results as using the 'Colour Controls' method.

In my case, it tends to give a slightly magenta cast, whereas 'Colour
Controls' doesn't. Even if it did, with Colour Controls you can easily
adjust colour output...say -5%M.

Si.

 

[monl]

I have a rebate for an Epson RX500 and forgot to get the UPC
code off the box. Order for me to get rebate I need copy of the
UPC code. Can anybady still got the box for this item or have
one available that they could make a scan/copy of the UPC code?
I would greatly appriciate if someone post it or email me one.