Bad results on printing

[The amateur]

I have an EPSON P700, my monitor is calibrated for the working environment, I've got the correct ICC profile for the printer/paper combination, yet the photos aren't turning out as expected.

The ICC profile has been double-checked and is correct. I'm confident about the paper choice, although I might have a box or two from a different brand.

It's frustrating because everything, from the printer to the paper and ink, are quite expensive.

Ultimately, what I want is to have a set of images printed accurately according to my preferences. Any suggestions, please ?

[DanK]

Can you describe what is wrong with the prints? Also, what software do you use for printing, and are you using Windows or a Mac? This information might help folks make suggestions.

Also, what paper are you using?

[The amateur]

Thank you very much, Dan, for the quick response.
Indeed, I went to check once more if the profile is the right one, and... it's not! How embarrassing!

I was absolutely convinced it was the right one and that I had made the correct choice.
Since the printer strangely doesn't appear in the list of profiles from Ilford, I emailed them to ask for clarification.
The issue is that the colors in the printouts are substantially altered.

I use Apple and Lightroom, which previously yielded good results. However, as I updated to a larger hard drive, I was forced to do a complete installation and lost the profile I had been using back then.
Moreover, as far as I remember, the prints were good... What did I do wrong? What on earth was the profile I was using before ?

Tomorrow is Saturday, and I doubt I'll get a response over the weekend.

I apologize for my mistake.
Thank you very much for your availability and attention.
Cheers !

[DanK]

No reason to apologize. We all make mistakes. At least I do. I'm very glad you found what appears to be the problem.

One possibly related issue is called "double profiling", when both software and the printer try to control color. As I'm sure you know, Lightroom has that control at the bottom right, where you change "control by printer" to whatever ICC profile you want. In Windows, you have to separately turn off control by the printer in the printer's firmware, which is accessed through the Windows print dialog. I think I read somewhere that you don't need this extra step with a Mac, but perhaps someone here who prints from a mac can say.

[The amateur]

Thank you very much, Dan, for the quick and kind response.
Dan pointed out the issue of "double profiling", and I believe that's precisely where the problem lies!
I've been handling Color Management incorrectly which is already changed in the second shot.
Could this be the root of the problem ?

However, the question remains about the possibly of incorrect profile choice !
I'll have to print to verify, but it's going to be challenging today. And over the weekend, it won't be possible either.
Or even better, I wait for Ilford's response...

I must remember to update the print preset I created. Done !

Below is the currently installed profile.
Have a nice week end !
Cheers !

[LenR]

Hi Antonio, like Dan I also print from LR albeit with Windows O/S so cannot comment on Mac.
Your screen shot of the Colour Management showing its Ilford ICC is correct and hopefully that will resolve your issue.
Ilford GFS was my paper of choice for quite a few years but it is no longer available here and it was my understanding that it had been discontinued. Are you still able to purchase it in Europe?

[The amateur]

@ Dan
After writing the last post, I ended up recalling that, even with the previous computer configuration, I successfully printed a few images, and all turned out well—nicely printed with accurate colours and tones.

Based on this experience and now with the new computer setup, I searched through my emails for the *.icc profile provided by Ilford because, just like now, I couldn't find the right profile on the paper company's website at that time. It's highly likely that I made a mistake and copied the wrong profile.
Or perhaps it's not the profile's fault but mine as I was making "double profiling" and I blame it !

The last pack of Ilford paper is nearly finished, just two or three sheets left. From now on, I won't be purchasing any more Ilford paper, and I'll definitively switch to Hahnemühle, of which I actually have a few samples.
It's pricier, yes, but it has to be. I value high-quality prints.

That's all for now. Have a great weekend, and once again, thank you for the support.
Cheers !
-
@ Len,
Thank you for the comment.
Actually, I'm not sure if the paper you mentioned is available in Europe. Given that Portugal is a small country with a limited number of consumers, it's somewhat challenging to find specific types of paper.
To address this, I usually purchase directly from Germany or the Netherlands, where there's a much wider selection available.
Have a great weekend !
Cheers !