Imac prints are faded

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My iMac has printed on all my printers - Epson, Canon, HP - with a washed out faded look. It has always done this since new whether printing from Acrobat, Photoshop or any other program. From looking at internet posts this is a common issue and there must be a setting somewhere in my iMac to correct this problem. Currently I have to transfer everything to my PC to get decent printing. I'm not too much of a techie, so a simple solution would be wonderful. Any ideas?
 

pigoo3

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From looking at internet posts this is a common issue...

Not true. If it was...we would have MANY threads discussing this issue. I can't remember one. Not saying you don't have an issue...just saying it's not common.

Also...we have no idea what you have:

- Don't know what iMac model you have (there are easily over 100 different iMac models).
- Don't know what OS version you have installed.
- Don't know what printer model you have.
- Don't know what apps you are trying to print from.
- Don't know what other apps you may have installed that may be interfering with printing from your iMac.

All of this could be useful info in solving the issue.

- Nick

p.s. Thread moved to better area. Not a "Switcher Hangout" topic.
 

chscag

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From looking at internet posts this is a common issue and there must be a setting somewhere in my iMac to correct this problem. Currently I have to transfer everything to my PC to get decent printing. I'm not too much of a techie, so a simple solution would be wonderful. Any ideas?

Your iMac (which one do you have?) does not control the quality of print; that's the job of the print drivers and what options are available on any particular printer. The most common reason for washed out printing is that the printers are set for "economy" mode (if available).

Another reason may be that your printers are hooked to a power strip or are receiving lower than normal power. That will cause print jobs to be of a lower quality. But again, there is no specific setting in your iMac that controls the print quality. And if the problem exists with all the printers you mentioned above, I would be looking for a common cause other than some setting on your Mac.
 

Slydude

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If you are using a Canon printer Poke around the settings in the driver. One setting gives you more control over the color. In the drivers for some of their photo printer such as the Pixma MP 990 there is a setting for color that says "vivid". That might help. I can't test it because I no longer have access to a Canon printer.

I've experienced other printing issues, especially when printing photos, but don't remember anything like you are describing.
 
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Most printers also have an option to choose the paper type and/or quality in their print window option settings that can sure affect print quality as well as some of the other options already mentioned.

Ink quality can also affect the output but that should be the same as with using the Windows machine.





- Patrick
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