We are having issues with print quality (main issue)... and pressing (but happy to put this bit down to our method not being 100% on the money just yet).
Could really do with some help and assistance where possible please. Bit of a long post so please bear with us.
Designed in Canva (image 1) and saved as PDF. When printing straight from the PDF we are aware there are no ICC profiles being used (at least with Canva anyway). We print on Versa paper from IE, using Sublinova Inks. When printed the colours are very similar to the screen such as the pinks and cream/ grey background (and are happy with what we see generally). However the print for the graphic in the middle in black (image 2) is mottled/ blotchy on the print alone - no pressing as yet. We are aware that there will be differences from Image on screen, to when it is printed, to when it is pressed. But this part is supposed to be jet black or at least black, but when printed you can see it is slightly browny/ blonde and not so black - This is where we feel we should use a design software in order to utilise the ICC profiles we were given - but had not done at this point.
When pressing onto slate (image 3) you see the graphic doesn't look black and is very mottled, and now looks blonde, even the gown.
Having looked into this more, reading through the forum, we are aware that using the ICC profiles is best, but for that we need to use some kind of design software. We didn't have any as such, so just downloaded GIMP, (the ICC profiles were already installed onto the laptop when we initially got them but again doesn't work with Canva). With GIMP we uploaded the same image here in order to print. initially the colours and everything on the screen seemed to be fine and matched what we wanted and that found on Canva.
We next watched a tutorial for installing and using the ICC profiles on GIMP (image 4). When we did this, initially it seemed fine, converting to the chosen ICC profiles however when looking at print preview (image 5) it clearly looks like it has different colours than what it should look like.... to us it looks like it is purple instead of pink, and turquoise green/ blue instead of cream/ light grey.
We have read on here that sometimes the print preview image can be different on screen to the actual print and the instructions were to print first before coming to any conclusions... However when doing this, the same colours presented on the print preview screen (that are different to the image on GIMP) were the same purple and turquoise green/ blue shown on the printed paper.
It's like the ICC profiles have changed all the colours from what we see on screen - even though we used the correct profile (versa). Is this the purpose of using ICC profiles?
Also from reading in the forum, we understand that with slates it is best practice to use a pad (if anyone can send a link to what they are using - that would be appreciated), and this could improve the print which is fine... Now we feel the other issue we have is that with the use of ICC profiles... We have now downloaded the free trial of Adobe Photoshop as been advised GIMP can be a bit hit and miss... however after following tutorials, checking ICC profiles are being used, and triple checking everything including the printer settings and profiles... We are finding that the use of these ICC profiles changes everything we see on screen when we get to the print preview screen (just as with GIMP).
We have wasted 3 slates already, with the centres looking very mottled (learning curve, so understandable and happy to take the hit for the time being - and prob an issue with the method). New order of slates just arrived but don't want to press the different coloured print out incase it prints purple and green instead of pink and cream/grey (please let me know if you still think we should try pressing even with the visible difference in colours).:frown:
We are noticing the colour on the print is different - and of course it will be until it is pressed. However don't know why we are having the issues with the print and colour more than the actual faded effect - the faded look may be corrected by using a pad which we intend to get but still feel the issues lie with printing and the colours.
We know this is a long post, but thanks for reading.
We understand that monitors play a part in all this; however, we are very satisfied that what we see on screen is accurately printed and have no real issues in this regard.
Please could you help with the mottled blacks, the difference in colours when using ICC profiles on GIMP/ photoshop and the use of ICC profiles in general.
Thanks in advance.
Ps -
Epson ET-2850 printer
Sublinova Inks
We use the Versa paper, and the correct side is being used as the other side has the inkexperts watermark all over it.
Thin silicone rubber sheet at bottom, then blowout paper, then print, slate on top, then more blowout paper. (Again we don't have rubber pad - please add links to any you are using that work).
We always preheat our slates.
180-190 temp for 360 seconds - as directed by supplier - did this in the past and did not work for us when pressing both face up and face down.
We next tried 195 temp for 550 seconds and found this worked initially (last month) but then again the images were not heavy on the black side.
Tried this also face up and face down... We found that pressing with the slate on top of the paper worked better for us. Wastage at this point understandable.
Since then, have tried to print and press the above design. Have tried the following so far.
Preheated slates.
Pressing with slate on top of the paper.
195 temp for 550 sec - image in middle mottled and does not look black (image 3 again)
Next went for longer - checking in between... 195 temp for 600 sec, had a peak after this time, checked to see if same issues were present (which they were), so cooked for another 60 sec, checked again still the same, and then cooked for another 60 sec (720 secs in total) (see image 6)
Then finally thought we'd do less time whilst checking... 195 temp for 400 sec initially, checked to see if same issues were present (which they were), cooked for another 60 secs, checking again, and then cooked for another 60 secs without any luck (520 secs in total) (see image 7)
Ink Experts have provided details on the method they use to press (and will try follow this), but not until the colour situation is sorted, and don't want issues for future projects.
