Less than stellar printouts on my R200

[zanos]

I can get better looking printouts using neato cd/dvd labels on my canon s300. I don't seem to be getting a good level of contrast on the epson using the white top printables. Every color comes out a little too light. You'd think I was running out of ink. I've even adjusted the darkness level on the epson print cd program to +2 and it comes out exactly the same. Is this just me? Does anyone have any recommendations?

[Captain315]

I have (had) the same problem. It looked great on the screen but washed out when printed on the R200. This may not be of any help to you but I bought the Surething CD Labeler software and that fixed most of the problem for me. When I scan a disk label, I click on picture properties and then EXPOSURE. I raise the exposure level to where it looks really dark on the screen and then it prints a much deeper color on the printer. If you don't have this program, maybe there is another one that has the exposure settings. I've tried all the contrast, gamma, etc. and nothing worked until this. Hope this is of some help.

[iooi]

What disks are you using as some do look washed out. Main problem is when the background colour is dark. If you can stick to light background colours its better.
Personally i use -2 to 0 and std cd/dvd print.

[chunkT]

Are you using Epson Ink cartridges or some ebay knockoffs to save a few bucks? I have (1) R300 and (2) R200s and they all do an exceptional job in my opinion for the price. Damn you can get the R200 at SAMs club for 89 bucks.. I buy complete systems to change cartridges cause the ink is almost 80 bucks each time you buy 6. So I get the whole shabang for spares and parts..

[Umbearto]

Are you using the default "cd/dvd" as the media/paper selection? Many people have found the default selection puts too little ink down. Try changing the media selection to Photopaper. That setting will put down a lot more ink and increase the contrast of the image.

iooi will point out, this is a waste of ink; but try it, it works

[classfour]

When using an untouched .jpg image ( I haven't tried using other formats): The R200 does have a less than stellar result. This is of concern when you create a label using your own photos (or scans). I've had problems with captures from DVD or MPEGs when using them as the base for a label.

To correct this somewhat - even achieving a good result - I've started doing the following on captured images and photos used to create DVD or CD labels:

1. Using Ulead PhotoImpact (you can use any photo editing software that will enhance an image), I open the image; select "auto enhance" which adjusts the contrast, brightness, etc of the image. I then crop it to a circle, add any lettering or icons that I need on the final disc, and save it to my DVD label file.

2. Print it with Epson PrintCD - the enhanced images do look much better in final print, not as washed out as originals.

3. For all discs printed with the R200 I apply a coat (or two) of Krylon Clear Acrylic Laquer to protect the ink, and it brings out the colors of the printed disc. Be sure to let the ink dry before applying paint, and let the paint dry before handling the disc.

As to ink: I've used Epson OEM, PrintPal Generic; Ink4Less Generic, and Ebay Generic (same as the other two) with good results. the main issue is to clean the printer head on a regular basis to maintain print quality.

As to the discs being printed: Verbatim, ProDisc (silver or white top), Memorex inkjet printable discs have all worked fine - the only issue is to remember the diameter of the center "hole" when changing disc types.

While the Epson isn't free of warts, it is the best deal under $100 for printing discs. I tried the Canon CP series when they first came out, and while the discs still have a Name on them (not much in the way of graphics), they are as plain as the day I printed them. Also, having used the Epson SP900 first; the front loading tray on the R200 is easier to deal with, even if you do have to "nudge" the disc in (or pull it out) once in awhile.

[iooi]

iooi will point out, this is a waste of ink; but try it, it works

Sure will...... :P

I haven't altered any settings at all in any other places.
Compat carts as well.

Umbearto, love the avatar.... Wish you were here is one of my fav's.

[Umbearto]

Umbearto, love the avatar.... Wish you were here is one of my fav's.

Thanks
Many people seem to recognise it from "somewhere". Floyd fans know it came as a compromise with the record company who freaked when Pink Floyd released "Wish You Were Here" with no title on the cover. They made them wrap the original "Burning Man" art sleeve designed by Hipgnosis in Blue Cellophane and this was the sticker on the back.

[ricky1756]

do you use photo enhance? that darkens it quite a bit

[zanos]

Thanks for all the recommendations. Please keep them coming. Ricky, I have not tried that but if it'll make my blacks actually look like black instead of dark grey I'll try it.

[disturbed1]

The settings depend on which DVDs you use.

Maxell, Verbatim, Taiyo Yuden, Samsung, and Prodisc all require different settings to get the best results.

I generally use Maxell and Prodisc as my staple media. The Maxell white top looks 3x better compared to the Prodisc.

I use Premium CD/DVD surface, ICM, with No Color Adjustment checked, on both media, for Maxell the color correction is set to 0, and for Prodisc it's at +2 for white tops, and +1 for the silver printable.

Your original pictures matters a bit also. My pictures are usually created by hand in Jasc Paint Shop Pro at either 600DPI or 1200DPI.

If your attempting to print out some crap from cdcovers.cc , well, crap in = crap out

You can also check the color controls, and change the brightness, gama, contrast, saturation, and the different levels of each color (CMY).

[averyisiah]

OK, THIS WILL ANSWER ALL QUESTIONS.....
THIS IS THE SETTINGS FOR THE PRINTER WHEN PRINTING ON DVD/CD TO GET PHOTO QUALITY RESULTS.. use/CLICK ALL THE SETTINGS LISTED BELOW...(in "advanced settings" under "main" header in R200)

1. check ICM (this matches the colors as shown on your screen)
2. use PREMIUM PHOTO GLOSSY PAPER (for the most dpi and lowest picolitre used)
3. use BEST PHOTO (for good qaulity pics)
4. check HIGH SPEED (in print options)
or.
5. use PHOTO RPM (for true photo quality,,the best)
6. check SUPER MICROWEAVE (in print options) THIS GIVE A LITTLE MORE DETAIL BUT TAKES LONGER.

I usually use Best Photo Quality and I get great prints....make sure that you do not click "EDGE SMOOTHING" in the options or you will get blurrier pics...I use this all the time and I get 99% identical labels compared to the original, and I use aftermarket ink, if you use OEM ink it will be even better wher you cannot even tell the difference!!!! Epson are better photo printers when it comes to pictures and colors...they are not the best text printers but are still one of the best.....Better overall then CANON..I used to be a CANON lover until I tried Epson...and I am convinced....HOPE THIS HELPS!!

[jeryray]

Did you try right clicking the pict while in epson print?

I set mine to 50%

Try that, looks much better that way.