Hi, new installed version of Darktable 4.8.1 (Win10), but problem with year old version too 4.6.x. When exporting the finished image to *.jpg and then printing it on an Epson L18050 using EpsonPhoto+ (but I can also print from GIMP), the problem is that it is not possible to use the “Enhanc” mode when printing. The button is accessible, I can select it, but it doesn’t do anything. Enhance mode will visibly improve printing.
In Darktable version 4.8.1, I do the export 4 times in a row and I get a different result each time. *.jpg photos seem to be fine except for the print. To be sure, the printer drivers and the operating software have been reinstalled to the latest version. I also have an Epson L850 printer and it behaves similarly. This was not a problem in the past.
I don’t know what to do anymore…
Noticed that this problem occurs after white balance, if I then screw up the white balance the problem does not occur.
Sounds like you need to calibrate your monitor and printer.
sorry for my english…
I have two “almost” identical pictures taken in the cave with a tripod… After processing, they are “almost” the same. They are “the same” on the screen.
For one, the PhotoENHANCe function has an effect when printing, for the other it does not.
The processing procedure in Darktable is identical. Images are exported simultaneously. I have about 1500 A4 and A3+ printed on an Epson L850 and 18050 printer and this error??? is about 3 weeks. Upgrading Darktable from 4.6?.x → 4.8.1 did not fix this problem.
I don’t know what photo enhance is or does, but you should be giving your printer the photo, selecting the paper profile and the color space, and that’s about it if you want reliable prints.
@paperdigits, seems to be a special mode of the Epson software (driver ?)
https://support.epson-europe.com/onlineguides/en/sc42/ref_g/softm_2.htm#using%20the%20photoenhance%20mode%20c
In my opinion, it makes no sense to use such a function after development with darktable.
Maybe the Canon software analyses the image, and does something like stretching the histogram if it finds the image does not cover the whole range?
I think this has nothing to do with darktable, but maybe with the way the images were developed? How the enhancement options in the proprietary Canon software work, and under what conditions they make a visible change, is not something darktable can ‘fix’.
If you are asking the Epson printer to enhance your photo after editing in DT then I would naturally expect the results not to match DT’s output. When I print I do test prints at a small size like 6x4" and then compare the result to how it looks on my calibrated screen. I may need to make it a little brighter or darker, I may need some small color, contrast and saturation tweaks. I can then record this tweaks and most images I print after that are close match to my expectations. I used to use an Epson and that method was fine. I now use a canon with this method. I don’t let the printing software enhance or edit the image further.
I presume your problems is editing first in DT and then getting Epson to do further editing.
yes, I understand what you are saying, develop and edit in Darktable → print on Epson PremiumGlossy or Premium Semiglossy photo paper without enhancement.
But it’s better with the ENHANCE mod (cave photo). Adjusts histogram + sharpens +?.
I have a calibrated EIZO CG247 monitor, an EPSON L18050 printer, and so far I have been satisfied. I’ll probably have to edit the photos further so that even without this mode the photos are nice.
In that case, you’d have to figure out what that ENHANCE mod does…
Bacause, even if the results are better, using it means you will have differences between your screen and the final print (which was the original issue).
The same holds for any kind of processing on the file exported from darktable:
darktable cannot predict what such processing will do, so the print result will differ from what darktable made you expect.
it is not a problem that I get something a little different than on the monitor… of course I count on that
The problem is that after exporting edited photos from Darktable → JPEG, this function (ENHANCE) is not functional when printing and it only applies to images exported from Darktable (but not all).
Found out that I open the problem file in GIMP, make the dash orange/green… color and the ENHANCE print function works :). Simply opening and storing is not enough.
Thanks for the comments and advice.
Sorry for my english.
All my printing problems fixed after switching to Linux.
But - I open exported files in GIMP and I print in GIMP (EPSON L3050).