Optimal+Media+Type

=How do I determine the optimal Media Type to use when creating custom profiles for non-Canon papers?=


 * Note:** For additional information and recommended media type for specific papers, see also the section on creating current recommendations for media type setting for non-Canon papers for iPF5000 or iPFX100 printers on the Custom Profiles page.

Here are suggestions for 4 different method:


 * 1) From Scott Martin, you can read instructions and use the [|Onsight Media Selection Image]
 * 2) Suggestions from Gary Cay:
 * First decide what black you want / need to print with (matte or photo)
 * Read your media guide and match the type of paper and form of the paper (roll or sheet, and cassette or tray feed) with the black you need.
 * From that list pick the one closest to the paper/media type you are printing on.
 * At this point you may elect to print a known target onto the paper with the different settings on your list to exam for information about ink densities, satuaration etc. - to see if one looks better than another.
 * Check here for information about what others say is working for them and consider if that is useful to you or not.
 * Proceed and keep notes about results. Make modifications if and when experience suggests or encourages it.
 * 1) Select media type by printing grayscale step-wedge with different media selections. Look for some separation in the #5 and #10 squares. Inkjetart has [|very good instructions] (see Selecting the Right Paper Type on their web page) about how to do this using their [|Density] file.
 * 2) Canon recommended printing a test pattern of pure black box with a pure yellow box in the middle, and determine how how far can go before you see ink bleed. Wayne Fox provided a Canon Ink Density Test file which he created, and described his use of this test file as follows:
 * When profiling a new paper, I will print an 8x10 of the file with color management turned off, one print for each of the 5 Special settings for whichever black ink I want to use.
 * For matte papers, I mainly looking for puddling in the large black section. For PK ink papers I look at the transitions between the yellow/black areas for bleeding/overspray with a pretty good loupe.
 * As I mentioned, this was suggested by David Sparer at Canon when I was testing the 5000. Seems to work OK. Most good photo papers handle Special 4 or 5 density without any trouble. With Museum Etching I used special 8 (same as Special 3 except uses matte black ink; only available on iPFX100 series printers) because I could see some issues in the solid black area.



To use the test file, open in Photoshop and enter the Media Type you are using in place of the current place-holder, Photo Paper Plus Semi-Gloss. The file has been cropped to 8 X 5 inches so that you can print with one Media Type on the top half of an 8.5 X 11 inch paper, then turn the paper over once the ink has dried a bit and print again (also on the top half) using a different Media Type.