Printing >

Set Up Photoshop Elements

For Printing

Do the following six steps to get Photoshop Elements ready to print.

Step #1 - Photograph's Color Space Step #2 - PSE Is Set to the Same Color Space Step #3 - One Color Manager, Not Two Step #4 - Printer Profiles Step #5 - Rendering Intent Step #6 - Printer Driver

Step #1 -

Photograph's Color Space

Determine the color space of the photograph.

sRGB and Adobe RGB are the two most common color spaces.

Most photographers should use the sRGB color space.

That's because:

• Most monitors can't display the Adobe RGB color space.

• Photoshop Elements doesn't do soft proofing, which attempts to depict your photograph on your monitor like the printed version.

• Few labs accept photographs using the Adobe RGB color space.

You can check the photograph's color space with one of the following three methods.

Method #1 -

Check with Your Camera

Your camera is probably set, by default, to the sRGB color space.

Check in the camera's menu for the color space setting.

Look for sRGB or Adobe RGB.

Method #2 -

Check with Photoshop Elements

In Photoshop Elements, go to File > File Info.

Look for sRGB or Adobe RGB in the metadata.

Method #3 -

Check with Photoshop Elements

1) In Photoshop Elements, go to File > Print, or press Ctrl + p.

2) Look for the Color Management section.

In earlier versions of Photoshop Elements, you must select Show More Options.

3) Look for Source Space.

4) Look for sRGB or Adobe RGB.

Step #2 -

Photoshop Elements

Is Set to the Same Color Space

The color space for the photograph—and for Photoshop Elements—must be the same.

The photograph and Photoshop Elements must both be sRGB.

Or, they both must both be Adobe RGB.

Go to Edit > Color Settings.

If your camera is set to the sRGB color space, select Always Optimize Colors for Computer Screens.

If your camera is set to the Adobe RGB color space, select Always Optimize for Printing.

Step #3 -

One Color Manager, Not Two

When printing from Photoshop Elements, you must turn off the color management done by the printer.

You want Photoshop Elements to do the color management, alone.

There are two tasks.

Task #1

1) In Photoshop Elements, go to File > Print, or press Ctrl + p.

2) Look for the Color Management section.

In earlier versions of Photoshop Elements, you must select Show More Options.

3) Look for Color Handling.

4) Change it from Printer Manages Color to Photoshop Elements Manages Color.

Task #2

1) In Photoshop Elements, go to File > Print, or press Ctrl + p.

2) Click Page Set Up > Printer > Properties.

Look for the section concerning color management.

This section is often abbreviated as ICM (Integrated Color Management).

Make the selection for no color management by the printer driver.

This may be designated by the phrase, Same As Source.

Step #4 -

Printer Profiles

Check to make sure the correct printer profile is being used.

Do the following.

1) In Photoshop Elements, go to File > Print, or press Ctrl + p.

2) Look for the Color Management section.

In earlier versions of Photoshop Elements, you must select Show More Options.

3) Make sure the profile in the Printer Profile box is Working RGB - sRGB IEC61966-2.1.

However, if you're using a printer profile that you've downloaded from your printer manufacturer, then make sure you've selected that profile in the Printer Profile box.

If you change to a different paper, you must also change to the printer profile in Photoshop Elements for that paper.

Step #5 -

Rendering Intent

Check the rendering intent.

Do the following.

1) Go to File > Print, or press Ctrl + p.

2) Look for the Color Management section.

In earlier versions of Photoshop Elements, you must select Show More Options.

3) Look for the Rendering Intent box.

Try Relative Colorimetric first.

If your photograph has many different saturated colors, try Perceptual.

Step #6 -

Printer Driver

The printer driver for your printer may be out-of-date.

Even if the printer is new, its printer driver may be an older version.

To see which printer driver is installed, go to the manufacturer's website.

They may have a way to check for updates.

Otherwise, read on.

Windows

1) Click the Windows icon (green Start button if XP) in the lower left corner of your screen.

2) Click Control Panel.

3) Click Hardware and Sound.

4) Click Printers.

5) Right click on your printer.

6) Click Properties.

7) Click the Advanced tab.

8) Look for Driver.

The printer driver appears next to Driver.

If you have already downloaded a new driver, click New Driver.

The Add Printer Driver Wizard will appear.

Mac

Printer drivers included with Mac OS X

Download & Install

Go to the website of your printer manufacturer, and check if there's a newer printer driver.

If so, download and install it according to the manufacturer's instructions.