Epson 7890 prints black far too dark using Kodak Matchprint proofing system

[Sev]

We use the Kodak Matchprint proofing system with our Epson 7890 inkjet. The black is printing using all colors, and is much too dark. On a recent job there was a block that had a 60 percent black tint. On the proof it came out looking like solid black. We has to assure the client that the job would not print like the proof. That defeats the whole purpose of a proof. Is there a setting or a method to get the black to print as it should, and not be so dark? I hope this does not mean that we have to get a new profile made.
Thanks in advance for any help and ideas on this problem.

-Sev

 

[Stephen Marsh]

Sev, inkjet proofing systems require regular calibration, when was this last calibrated? Look in the Kodak Proofing Software’s “Kodak Proofer Viewer” window, then click on the Calibration tab button on the left hand side. Here you will see the installed Media Configuration files and when they were last calibrated using a spectrophotometer. From this window, you can start a new manual calibration.

What paper are you using (have you started using a different 3rd party media)? What media configuration are you using (does it match the paper)? What proofer profile and or devicelink target/simulation profile are you using (do they match the media configuration that matches the paper)?


Stephen Marsh

 

[Sev]

Sev, inkjet proofing systems require regular calibration, when was this last calibrated? Look in the Kodak Proofing Software’s “Kodak Proofer Viewer” window, then click on the Calibration tab button on the left hand side. Here you will see the installed Media Configuration files and when they were last calibrated using a spectrophotometer. From this window, you can start a new manual calibration.

What paper are you using (have you started using a different 3rd party media)? What media configuration are you using (does it match the paper)? What proofer profile and or devicelink target/simulation profile are you using (do they match the media configuration that matches the paper)?


Stephen Marsh

The proofer is calibrated every Monday morning, using the built in spectrophotometer. We are using the Kodak SM240P paper, and using a profile made for us by Kodak for the paper that we are using. The profile was made to match our press. Perhaps we need to get a new profile, but it just seems odd that a 60 percent tint of black prints to appear like 100 percent black. This defeats the concept of the proof.

-Sev

 

[Stephen Marsh]

What you say sounds right Sev, yet there is obviously a problem. Has it always been this way or has it just started to happen? Has anything else changed? Can you take screenshots of your Prinergy Process Template settings for proofing or your KPS Hot Folder Open Connectivity RIP settings? If you are printing “slug” info at the foot of your proofs, double check that the listed profiles, devicelinks, media configs are all correct and as expected.

Do you have Kodak ColorFlow Pro (if using Prinergy)? If so, you can take a look at the profile to see what is going on at that level.

Try installing the proofer profile and or devicelink profile on a computer running Photoshop and do a conversion there.

Do you have a hand held spectro such as an i1 Pro? Can you take spot measurements of the solid K and 60K patches?


Stephen Marsh

 

[pacart]

Did you double check the file, to make sure it wasn't setup with the black being 4-color?