Grayscale prints purple

[Chris]

Hello all,
Wonder if anyone can help with this problem... Any grayscale image that I
print prints out purple. I've tried every possible setting under color
preferences to no avail. I've also tried re-converting to grayscale and
desaturating the color image. Makes no difference. I've replaced the print
cartridges with new ones twice and tried every printer setting known to my
printer. I think I may be losing my mind !!!

Any ideas or help would be mucho muchly greatly appreciated!
Chris Atherton
Harrison County
Computer Operations
228-865-4231
228-865-4163

[Lawrence Hudetz]

What printer?

Also, what OS?

[Chris]

Didn't see my last post go through...

Since it's happening on both my home and work systems, here goes:

Work:
Windows 2000, Photoshop 7, HP Deskjet 882c
Home:
Windows 2000, Photoshop 7, Lexmark Z11

I use these printers just for basic proofing and examples before they get
sent to a printshop.

On another note, it makes no difference what image I use. Once I grayscale
it and print it, it comes out purple and this happens on both systems. I did
create a new image 240 X 240 and filled it with solid black and that printed
just fine.

I'm kinda wondering if one of the online updates has somehow corrupted
something as I've been using this setup for quite some time, and this is the
first time it's ever happened. I've even gone so far as to re-install the
printers and photoshop.

Thanks for responding!

Chris Atherton
Harrison County
Computer Operations
228-865-4231
228-865-4163

"Lawrence Hudetz" <hudec...@usa.net> wrote in message
news:1de8f...@WebX.la2eafNXanI...

[Jake Hannam]

Chris,

Check your print settings.

FILE-PRINT-PROPERTIES-PAPER/QUALITY-GRAY SCALE

You probably have COLOR selected and the printer is trying to make blacks and grays with color inks instead of black ink.

[Chris]

Just tried that and it basically destroys the image. Looks as though it's
filled with a lot of noise.

--

Chris Atherton
Harrison County
Computer Operations
228-865-4231
228-865-4163

"Jake Hannam" <jake....@verizon.net> wrote in message
news:1de8f...@WebX.la2eafNXanI...

[Chris]

Exact same color on both systems, and it's like a lilac coming in to bloom.
The paper being used makes no difference. It's still prints the purple.

Chris Atherton
Harrison County
Computer Operations
228-865-4231
228-865-4163

"Lawrence Hudetz" <hudec...@usa.net> wrote in message
news:1de8f...@WebX.la2eafNXanI...
> Are you getting exactly the same color on both systems?
>
> What paper are you using? Is it the same for both printers? And, how
purple is the image? Is it a subtle color or is it like a lilac comming into
bloom?

[Lawrence Hudetz]

[Lawrence Hudetz]

What's puzzling is that this is happening on both systems. I would normally think that would indicate an operator problem, but you are experienced.

What I would try is to do another gray patch and fill it with say 50% gray and see if this prints purple. !00% black may not show such a deep color.

Also, did you reset prefs?

When you print the patch, are you using the same settings in the print driver? Can you open the dialog with the printer and find it's profile default setting?

At this point, I hope others with experience with these printers can step in, as mine centers around the Canon and Epson printers.

[brent bertram]

Foolish thoughts ! <G>
Not well formed . (mine that is ! )

:-)

Brent

[brent bertram]

Under Print Preview, are you printing to the " Printer color management" output space ?

:-)

Brent

[Chris]

AH HA!
Good call Lawrence! Here's the deal.

I created a new grayscale image 100 X 100 and filled it 50% gray. The
printer was still set to black and white for an earlier test so I tried that
setting first. It printed gray, but it came out looking exactly like faded
black denim. Sorta like black jeans that have been washed almost to the
point of being white. Lots of noise in the image.

I changed back to my normal mode which is to leave the printer set to color.
Guess what ? It printed purple!

I have changed my settings so much so that I have no idea what the original
settings were. But I changed them after this problem happened, so I don't
think it's a setting problem.
--

Chris Atherton
Harrison County
Computer Operations
228-865-4231
228-865-4163

"Lawrence Hudetz" <hudec...@usa.net> wrote in message
news:1de8f...@WebX.la2eafNXanI...

[Chris]

Previously, I've never had to change printer settings. PS handled it all.
However, since this problem has arisen I have tried the following:

Image Color Management Settings - ICM Disabled, ICM handled by Host,
ICM handled by Printer

ICM Intent - Graphics, Pictures, Proof, Match

Advanced Printing Features
Both enabled and disabled

--

Chris Atherton
Harrison County
Computer Operations
228-865-4231
228-865-4163

[NR AUTOQUOTE deleted by Forum Host]

[Lawrence Hudetz]

This is a bit off the wall, but are your two systems linked in any way? Do you access your work computer from home? I am wondering if some sort of virus has crept in and infected both machines. Or perhaps it's in the file. Find a file from another source and see how it prints.

[Chris]

I get the black denim if I set the printer to print black and white only. If
I leave it set to color, it prints the purple.

--

Chris Atherton
Harrison County
Computer Operations
228-865-4231
228-865-4163

"Lawrence Hudetz" <hudec...@usa.net> wrote in message
news:1de8f...@WebX.la2eafNXanI...

> Going back to the 50% gray, do both systems give the same result? Black
denim?

[Lawrence Hudetz]

[Lawrence Hudetz]

I knew it was a long shot, Chris, as I did figure you for a pro from your post.

The fact of the same color really is baffling. Some commonality is indicated. A new guardian angel, turning the old one purple with rage?:)))

[Chris]

I do connect to my network from home occasionally, but that's using a 5250
emulator on an AS/400. I don't share files between home and work. I have a
pretty hardcore, 3 tier, virus protection setup as I'm the sysadm for a
network of about 1600 users. It's possible on the virus but I still question
one of the auto downloads from Adobe. It auto downloads both here at work
and at home. But if no one else is having these problems, then I can't see
it being that.

Maybe it's a Win 2000/HP/Lexmark error. I looked at hp.com to check for new
drivers and there's no new drivers or patches listed. I'm not gonna bother
with the lexmark since I'll be replacing it soon anyway.

As for the file. I'm working on getting to another pc in the building with
PS and trying the same thing.

I really appreciate the help from everyone. This is driving me nuts !

--

Chris Atherton
Harrison County
Computer Operations
228-865-4231
228-865-4163

"Lawrence Hudetz" <hudec...@usa.net> wrote in message
news:1de8f...@WebX.la2eafNXanI...

[Chris]

Thanks to all who offered help. I believe this a printer driver problem with
Win 2000.

Thanks again to all!

Chris Atherton
Harrison County
Computer Operations
228-865-4231
228-865-4163

"Lawrence Hudetz" <hudec...@usa.net> wrote in message
news:1de8f...@WebX.la2eafNXanI...

[dennis johnson]

One more try...

Do you have another app you can print the image from? Give that a whirl and see if that doesn't change the output.

[Chris]

One last update on this problem for anyone who cares...

The culprit of this little hair pulling, nail biting, head pounding
extravaganza was the color cartridges. I thought it might have been a
printer driver problem, but after doing some serious hardcore researching, I
found out about cartridge contamination. If they (the cartridges) sit too
long, get jostled, bumped around during shipping, and various other
destructive things, they can contaminate themselves internally.

I did not know this.... Since we buy cartridges in bulk at work, I started
testing some out. Out of 6 new color cartidges, we'll be returning 4 to HP
for warranty. Out of 6 black only cartridges, 3 will be returned to HP for
warranty.

I'm still not sure what's going on with the Lexmark, but I suspect the
cartridge may be low on ink. If anyone has ever used a Z series Lexmark will
know that the cartidge level program can be tricked into thinking an old
cartridge is a new one, and resetting the level of ink being represented. I
think the program counts a number of prints and then quesstimates on how
much ink is left.

Thanks again to all for your responses. Made my first trip to this forum a
very positive one!

Chris

[dave milbut]

wow. good info chris. this is one reason I refuse to buy another inkjet! I make do with an old hp lasrerjet II for b/w and my olympus 330n dye sub for small photo pix. Waiting for color lasers to hit the 500 bux mark before getting another printer! (They're getting close! I read here recently that HP now has a $700 one w/good quality)