final output not the right colour - need help!

[Keebler]

Hi folks,

I'm printing DVD case inserts for my clients' DVD boxsets.

To date, I've used CorelDraw 11 on my pc, connected to a Samsung CLP-510.

I realize that may not be the 'best' printer out there, but the graphics are basic in general with some text so it does the trick.

Problem #1: I hate using my PC. It's in another room, it's old, clunky and SLOW. So I figure, "HEY! install draw 11 on my imac" and just transfer some files over, use those as templates and create new files to print, thus saving me time and energy.

The biggest problem: the colour output is terrible from the imac to the samsung, but it's completely fine from the pc to the samsung. When I say 'terrible' and 'fine', I mean that what I see on screen is the same as the print-out from the PC and on the mac, it looks just like it does on the pc, but when it prints, it's much darker and not even the same colour.

To be fair, the PC does seem to have a better UI for me to tweak the settings whereas it's almost non-existent on the mac. I'm referring to a screen I get in a window when I click print setup in Draw 11 on the pc. It's a samsung screen that isn't available on the mac.

I tried opening the draw 11 file in Illustrator, but the colour output isn't the same either.

Any ideas? I'm not a hardcore printing guy as you can tell This is a frustrating part of being a small business owner b/c I don't have a team to work on it while I work on projects.

Cheers,
keebler

 

[Keebler]

Hi folks,

I'm printing DVD case inserts for my clients' DVD boxsets.

To date, I've used CorelDraw 11 on my pc, connected to a Samsung CLP-510.

I realize that may not be the 'best' printer out there, but the graphics are basic in general with some text so it does the trick.

Problem #1: I hate using my PC. It's in another room, it's old, clunky and SLOW. So I figure, "HEY! install draw 11 on my imac" and just transfer some files over, use those as templates and create new files to print, thus saving me time and energy.

The biggest problem: the colour output is terrible from the imac to the samsung, but it's completely fine from the pc to the samsung. When I say 'terrible' and 'fine', I mean that what I see on screen is the same as the print-out from the PC and on the mac, it looks just like it does on the pc, but when it prints, it's much darker and not even the same colour.

To be fair, the PC does seem to have a better UI for me to tweak the settings whereas it's almost non-existent on the mac. I'm referring to a screen I get in a window when I click print setup in Draw 11 on the pc. It's a samsung screen that isn't available on the mac.

I tried opening the draw 11 file in Illustrator, but the colour output isn't the same either.

Any ideas? I'm not a hardcore printing guy as you can tell This is a frustrating part of being a small business owner b/c I don't have a team to work on it while I work on projects.

Cheers,
keebler

ok....so i figured out part of it. I needed to checkmark the ICC profile (generic CMYK) and the colours were better.

still not sure if i figured it out 100%

 

[Consultant]

Every heard of
- monitor calibration
- printer calibration
- color profiles
- printer profiles

FYI. More professionals use macs for graphic design and creative work than pcs.

 

[Keebler]

Every heard of
- monitor calibration
- printer calibration
- color profiles
- printer profiles

FYI. More professionals use macs for graphic design and creative work than pcs.

thanks Consultant. I agree with you and have heard you. My goal of finally moving this task to my macs is exactly that - I'm using a mac so it should be easy.

I guess i need to figure out the printer calibration b/c the monitor (24" imac) looks identical to how it appears on the pc, but the print out is terrible.

The other part of the problem is maybe a lack of controls (profiles) available for mac from Samsung? Or maybe it's Draw 11?

When I click on my printer on the PC, I have more options than in the 'print & fax' section on my mac. Is that Samsung providing the bare necessities?

I know one sad detail: despite me not setting any profiles or calibration from the PC - the print out is exactly as is on-screen and looks great (for the purpose of what i'm doing that is). I'm not creating heavy graphically designed dvd case layouts. Something that is nice and simple, providing the client with a tool which acts as the viewing guide for their DVD box sets.

btw, i realize i may seem like a complete idiot when it comes to the printing world, but i'm running my business by myself. I wear all the hats and unfortunately, some of the hats like this one (and finance - thank God for a brother who is an accountant), have holes in them. I'm trying my best is the point. Just need a little help...

 

[SingaporeStu]

If you have the budget, you might like to look at colour management solutions such as offered by X-Rite, CGS (Oris), and the like. These will help ensure colour consistency and conformity to the ICC profiles that you, or your customers, use.

Maybe you might want to read up a little more on colour management before you buy anything. It is important in the printing business.

I know a little bit about it cos I used to sell stuff like this.

Anyways, Good Luck!

 

[Consultant]

You can go on samsung's web site to see if they have the printer profile. Maybe some third party made them.

One profile is required for each type of paper.

 

[VictorNT]

I don't know about Draw 11 but one thing you can try is to make sure the printer controls the color management NOT both.