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How To Use Inkjet Printer Profiles: Lightroom Mac OS12 & Earlier

Epson Inkjet Printers / Mac OS 12 Monterey and Earlier

Color profiles are pieces of software that bypass your printer color management in an attempt to reproduce better color gamut and print quality for a specific paper, printer and ink set. If you are unfamiliar with profiles or Lightroom, read all support documents carefully before beginning.

This brief tutorial will show you how easy it is to use a printer color profile from Lightroom Classic.

If you're not familiar, you can learn more about printer profiles and why they can be helpful.

Key Concept: In these tutorial, we are allowing Lightroom to manage the colors. Your printer color systems are being turned off.
 

Start by accessing the Print Module as seen below. 

Optional Settings

Print Resolution - If left unchecked Lightroom will use your file's native resolution. For the most part this will work fine provided you are not trying to print a web size image that has very low resolution. If you check Print Resolution 240ppi is the default setting and is sufficient for most high quality print jobs.

Print Sharpening - This sharpens your photo above and beyond any sharpening done in the Develop module. You can set the level at low, standard, or high. Media type choices are Glossy and Matte. The rules for print sharpening differ for reflective and non-reflective media and this control takes that into account. You can choose Glossy for any reflective inkjet media.

Note - Print adjustments do not preview onscreen.

Lightroom features two last minute adjustment controls for your print - Brightness and Contrast. They were included because so many people report their prints being "too dark". That issue is almost always related to no monitor calibration or images being underexposed. For expedience sake Adobe put these controls in for a quick fix should you need them.

Note - Print adjustments do not preview onscreen.

Choosing the Profile for Printing

Look on the right side of the Print Module and scroll to the Print Job section.

Click on the Profile drop down menu again. Click on the profile's name to select it for your print job.

You can now select your Intent. Get More Information on Rendering Intents

Need help adding profiles to the Lightroom Print Module dialog? Click here.

Print Settings for Your Epson Inkjet Printer

Once you've instructed Lightroom to use your printer / paper profile, you'll need set your printer settings. 

Click the Print Settings button on the lower left side of the Print Mod.

When the print menu appears, choose your printer from the Printer dropdown.

Media Type: Select the media type shown in the instructions PDF included with your profile download. 

Note: You will not see the Red River paper name in this menu. It only contains the names of the printer manufacturer's papers.

Exception: 
Some Epson SureColor models, when using EMY files, will display the name of Red River Paper you are using as a Media Type.

Color Mode: Should be grayed out and say "Off (No Color Adjustment)".

Print Quality: High Quality / 1440x1440 dpi for consistent high quality results.

You can now click Save until you're back at the Lightroom print module.

 

You can now click the print button, located at the lower right side of your screen.

 

Lightroom Print Templates

You can save all of your Lightroom print mod settings in the form of a Print Template.

Click the + button and name the template. It will be available the next time you make a print.

Adding Profiles to Lightroom

The default color management setting is Managed by Printer. To use a printer color profile, start by clicking the drop down and choose Other.

This will bring up the Choose Profiles dialog that displays all of the printer profiles currently installed on your printer.

In the Choose Profiles dialog, you will see all ICC profiles that are installed on your computer. (Need help installing profiles?)

Scroll down until you find the Red River Paper profiles. All start with the letters "RR". Check the profiles you wish to add to Lightroom's Print Module and then click OK.

From now on, the profiles that are checked in the above dialog will appear like this for ready selection while printing.

QUESTIONS?

Contact us via the support center

Last Updated: January 13, 2024


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Inkjet paper from inkjet paper experts. Red River Paper, founded in 1997, is a team of photo and fine art paper experts with many years of combined experience in printing and printer technology. We hand-pick fine inkjet media from sources around the world. At our plant in Dallas, Texas, we convert the paper to an unmatched range of sheet and roll sizes and then add special features available only from Red River. You get access to direct wholesale pricing and the convenience of over 30 inkjet papers under one roof. We guarantee compatibility with your inkjet printer and back that up with free color management tools and technical support. Call or email us for expert help finding the right paper and tips for getting better prints.

Last updated: January 13, 2024

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