Affinity Photo Printing

[Revanian]

I am looking to print with a matte border. What's the recommended technique? Just resize the canvas, or is there another tool to help with this?

[Old Bruce]

This is how I would do it.

Get your artwork File finished. Make a new document of the printed products size at 300 DPI/PPI, name it for printing. Place the artwork document into the new for printing  document and size it so you have your 'matte border'.

[Revanian]

On 12/1/2022 at 3:04 PM, Old Bruce said:

This is how I would do it.

Get your artwork File finished. Make a new document of the printed products size at 300 DPI/PPI, name it for printing. Place the artwork document into the new for printing  document and size it so you have your 'matte border'.

Thanks and sorry for the late reply. I've been looking more into this and agree that this would be the best approach but it also caused more questions around scaling the original image to fit the printed size.

In most cases I'll need to downscale the original image and I first thought of doing this by exporting from the original master edit to a TIFF however when exporting it seems that I simply can't resize the output without also resampling. Is there a good reason for resampling when downscaling or when would this be preferred?

The other route I've thought of is to duplicate the master file and flatten and then resize without resampling and expand the canvas so everything would be in alignment with the paper size. It's a roundabout way and wouldn't be my first choice but I'm trying to preserve as much quality as possible from the original image for the print.

[Revanian]

Just wanted to bump one more time for any other ideas/best practices for this scenario. Thanks.

[Granddaddy]

If you do much photo printing, then I recommend you get a program focused on printing.

A photo editor is good for adjusting, refining, and revising the content of an image. A print program takes care of things that ought to be done only at print time.

Print time options include choosing paper size, print size, resizing and cropping to desired aspect ratio for the portion of the image to be printed, positioning and sizing the desired portion of the image within the print area, making borderless prints, adding borders inside or outside the image, printing multiple photos on a single sheet, adding cut lines for one or more prints on a single sheet, printing a colored border, printing on different printers with different papers, etc. A print program lets you save templates, crop parameters, and paper and ink settings for quick recall in the future.

I often print a single edited photo with variations of these parameters depending on the final purpose for a particular print. For example, I've printed  family group photos at 12"x18" for wall display and the same photos at wallet size. Sometimes I print a single photo at 4"x6" for a photo album and at 8"x10" or 11"x14" for a wall hanging. Sometimes I print the same photo in landscape and portrait orientations depending on my purpose for the final print.

All these print variations and more are handled by the print program. Some years might elapse between printing an image for one purpose and printing the same image for another purpose. I never have to reedit a photo for these different print purposes.

I've been printing with QImage (Windows) for more than 20 years with both Epson and Canon printers at sizes up to 13"x19."   QImage One is a cross-platform spinoff.

Learn more at

https://ddisoftware.com/qimage-u/index.html

https://www.binartem.com/qimageone/

I learned the idea that print options should be handled at print time from a print program bundled with an Epson scanner I had more than 25 years ago. Sadly Epson discontinued that program, which led me on the search that ended with Qimage.

 

[nickbatz]

I let Canon Pro Print & Layout (printing program that comes with several Canon Pro-xxxx series photo printers) scale exported TIFFs and have found that to work very well, but the first thing I do in Affinity Photo is resize the document to 300 DPI using https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lanczos_resampling.

My understanding is that resampling is the best way to resize pictures. I forget why I chose Lanczos, but at the time there was a reason.

Also, what program are you using to print?

 

[Revanian]

Thanks for the replies, trying to keep everything within AP2. Working on a series of 8x10s but potentially other sizes (larger and smaller) down the road. For these reasons I'm trying to nail down the procedure with the tools I have access to.

[nickbatz]

5 minutes ago, Revanian said:

 trying to keep everything within AP2.

I'm not suggesting you run out and buy anything, but at least on macOS (don't know about Windows) the built-in print driver is very crude and doesn't automatically know about things like ICC profiles for the printer/paper combination you're using. There is a way to make it use ICC profiles, but I forget how to do that (and don't care, because when I use it, I'm not printing photos, just everyday things on a different printer).

Color management - starting with ICC profiles - are a thousand times more important than whether you resample when resizing.

What printer are you using?

[Revanian]

On 4/6/2023 at 5:55 PM, nickbatz said:

I'm not suggesting you run out and buy anything, but at least on macOS (don't know about Windows) the built-in print driver is very crude and doesn't automatically know about things like ICC profiles for the printer/paper combination you're using. There is a way to make it use ICC profiles, but I forget how to do that (and don't care, because when I use it, I'm not printing photos, just everyday things on a different printer).

Color management - starting with ICC profiles - are a thousand times more important than whether you resample when resizing.

What printer are you using?

Yes, I agree about ICC profiles and color management in general. I am familiar with this, but I see that the ColorSync option seems to no longer exist when printing in Ventura. I'm using a Canon TS8220, multifunction printer presently with Canon Pro Platinum photo paper.

[nickbatz]

32 minutes ago, Revanian said:

Yes, I agree about ICC profiles and color management in general. I am familiar with this, but I see that the ColorSync option seems to no longer exist when printing in Ventura. I'm using a Canon TS8220, multifunction printer presently with Canon Pro Platinum photo paper.

There's a ColorSync utility, but it looks like it's only for display profiles.

I don't know whether this is helpful: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/254689339

[Revanian]

5 minutes ago, nickbatz said:

There's a ColorSync utility, but it looks like it's only for display profiles.

I don't know whether this is helpful: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/254689339

Thanks, I was following this video and the current print dialog options seem to have removed this Color Matching/ColorSync option.

 

[nickbatz]

17 minutes ago, Revanian said:

the current print dialog options seem to have removed this Color Matching/ColorSync option.

 

That's cruel and unusual. I wonder why they'd do that.

[Revanian]

It does look like you can print directly from the ColorSync utility.

https://support.apple.com/guide/colorsync-utility/print-images-and-pdf-documents-csync4a8f2e5/mac

[Ldina]

@Revanian Yes, you should be able to select Colorsync when printing from all Afinity Apps. See screenshot below. From Photo, Designer or Publisher, File > Print and select your printer. Scroll down to 'Printer Options' and click on 'Color Matching'. Select Colorsync and your desired ICC profile, or choose your printer's color management. (You may have to import the profile if it isn't listed...File > Import ICC Profile.)

Another handy trick is to add the Colorsync Utility to your PDF Dropdown. When you click on Colorsync Utility from the PDF Dropdown menu, it launches ColorSync, which then allows you to select whatever Rendering Intent you want when printing. (For whatever reason, Apple removed the ability to choose rendering intents from their standard print menu.) Most of this is due to Apple changes in their O/S, and is not an Affinity issue. To make the Colorsync Utility available from the Print PDF dropdown, copy and paste the ColorSync Utility Application to User > Library > PDF Services. You only have to do this once. In the future, Colorsync Utility will be available as a choice when printing from any application from the PDF Dropdown menu.

[Revanian]

On 4/8/2023 at 4:16 PM, Ldina said:

@Revanian Yes, you should be able to select Colorsync when printing from all Afinity Apps. See screenshot below. From Photo, Designer or Publisher, File > Print and select your printer. Scroll down to 'Printer Options' and click on 'Color Matching'. Select Colorsync and your desired ICC profile, or choose your printer's color management. (You may have to import the profile if it isn't listed...File > Import ICC Profile.)

Another handy trick is to add the Colorsync Utility to your PDF Dropdown. When you click on Colorsync Utility from the PDF Dropdown menu, it launches ColorSync, which then allows you to select whatever Rendering Intent you want when printing. (For whatever reason, Apple removed the ability to choose rendering intents from their standard print menu.) Most of this is due to Apple changes in their O/S, and is not an Affinity issue. To make the Colorsync Utility available from the Print PDF dropdown, copy and paste the ColorSync Utility Application to User > Library > PDF Services. You only have to do this once. In the future, Colorsync Utility will be available as a choice when printing from any application from the PDF Dropdown menu.

Thanks for the information, I don't seem to have Printer Options though. I'm connected via AirPrint. I don't see any direct drivers on Canon's site. I'm unsure why that section would be missing.

[Ldina]

@Revanian Screen shots always help clarify things. You're on a Mac, right?

When I select FILE > PRINT from the main menu the attached window appears. At least with my Canon printer, it shows a small PDF Dropdown menu at the bottom center of the print dialog window (circled in red). I have two printers connected via USB on a remote Apple computer via WIFI. I don't use AirPrint, so I don't know if the PDF Menu shows up or not, but I would think it would...I believe it's a standard part of Apple's Print system. I think Affinity just uses Apple's Print dialog.

The Colorsync Utility in the Dropdown menu (also circled in red) is what I added to the Dropdown menu using the procedure in my previous post in this thread. That should make Colorsync Utility available to all applications when printing. Of course, if the PDF menu doesn't show up at all in your setup, I guess that's a moot point! 

I hope this helps. If you have further questions, please consider including a screenshot so we can see a visual of what is happening.

[Revanian]

@Ldina It refused to upload my attachment in the previous post but here you can see that I don't have the 'Printer Options' section for Color Matching.

 

[nickbatz]

I don’t either, but you do know that the red is because the print driver isn’t scaling the picture to fit the paper size, right?

[Ldina]

Revanian, I thought you were talking about the PDF dropdown menu. 

Many of the features shown in the Print dialog window are specific to the printer and driver installed on your system. If you collapse the Printer Info dropdown, is there a Printer Options menu? If that printer/driver combination doesn't give you access to the right controls, you may have to search for a different Apple-supplied printer driver for your printer and live with the options they provide. I'd do a search online for how to find and install printer drivers on Mac OS.

 I can't give you any advice about printing using AirPrint, since I have never used it. I seem to recall reading somewhere that AirPrint is limited in some respects, perhaps in driver features, color management, etc. You'd have to do some searching to find out. Here are a few links to start. 

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201311

https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/print-documents-mh35838/mac

On the Canon USA website, I see Windows drivers listed for the TS8220, but not for Mac. You may not need to install a driver for this printer if you are using AirPrint, but I have no experience with AirPrint.  https://www.usa.canon.com/support/p/pixma-ts8220

You might check Canon Europe or other worldwide locations because they sometimes have different information, drivers, and even some slightly different products. 

I hope something here helps. 

[Revanian]

Yup I'm aware of the reason for the red overlay in the preview.

 

@Ldina What version of macOS are you running? Checking here it seems I'm just seeing the standard layout for the Print dialog in Ventura. I also was checking that site for Canon drivers before posting and I'll have to do some more digging to see if maybe one of the other downloads will help. I appreciate everyone's assistance.

https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/choose-settings-in-the-print-dialog-on-mac-prtct002/13.0/mac/13.0

[Ldina]

My MacBook Pro is running OSX Ventura 13.3.1. That’s the computer I do all my work on, and where I have my Affinity apps.

I tried a few different drivers, but it has been a while, so I forget. I think the drivers Apple Bonjour automatically selected were rather limited in features (and might have been AirPrint drivers??). I’m pretty sure I used a driver I downloaded from the Canon website. It was confusing for me because my MacBook is using OSX 13.3.1, but my printer is connected via USB to my old Mac Pro, which is running OSX 10.8.5. Since I print over Wifi, I didn’t know which driver to download, so I tried both until I got it working. It was a hassle trying to figure it out, so I understand your frustration.

You may be able to temporarily connect your printer to your Mac via USB and then load the most current driver downloaded from the Canon website (if they have a driver to download). And it not, perhaps having your printer hard wired to your computer will give you access to a more full-featured Apple supplied driver. I’m not sure…just throwing out ideas to try. If that works, once your driver is installed, you may then be able to have access to more driver functions, even when disconnecting the printer and printing wirelessly. It may be worth a try if you don’t have success otherwise.

[Ldina]

I just checked my installed drivers for my Canon Pixma Pro-100 printer. (I know you're not using the same printer, but perhaps this information may still be helpful.)

The latest Mac Ventura Pro-100 driver shown on the Canon website is v16.70.0.0. I tried that because my MacBook Pro is running Ventura, but that driver seemed to be missing some capabilities. I wasn't getting what I wanted. 

As I mentioned previously, my printer is physically connected via USB cable to my old Mac, and I print over WIFI from my MacBook Pro to my old Mac, which is running OSX v10.8.5 (an antique O/S).  That old computer has a much older Canon driver, v16.20.0.0 installed. So, I installed the old v16.20.0.0 driver on my MacBook Pro too (even though it's running Ventura 13.3.1). So, I am running an old Canon supplied driver on both computers and that seems to work fine. I went back and forth with various drivers until I got it working properly. Now I have all the proper color management controls, settings and features for my printer. 

Apple has constantly changed things in their print stream, software, etc, over the years. I guess their focus is more on iPhones, iPads, etc, and I think AirPrint was originally implemented to allow people to print from their phones and tablets wirelessly. Most people printing from their phone or tablet probably aren't too fussy about complications like color management, color profiles, etc, so I am guessing that AirPrint drivers may have fewer features as a result. That may be a great thing for phone and tablet users, or people who just want an "acceptable print", but as far as I am concerned, they're making life more and more difficult for higher end folks who want control over their printing from a Mac. A good example of that is the fact that the Apple driver doesn't even support rendering intents (which is why I added the ColorSync Utility to the PDF pop-up menu, because ColorSync DOES allow you to choose rendering intents). 

Hopefully, you will get things working to your satisfaction without too much pain!!

[Revanian]

On 4/17/2023 at 4:00 PM, Ldina said:

I just checked my installed drivers for my Canon Pixma Pro-100 printer. (I know you're not using the same printer, but perhaps this information may still be helpful.)

The latest Mac Ventura Pro-100 driver shown on the Canon website is v16.70.0.0. I tried that because my MacBook Pro is running Ventura, but that driver seemed to be missing some capabilities. I wasn't getting what I wanted. 

As I mentioned previously, my printer is physically connected via USB cable to my old Mac, and I print over WIFI from my MacBook Pro to my old Mac, which is running OSX v10.8.5 (an antique O/S).  That old computer has a much older Canon driver, v16.20.0.0 installed. So, I installed the old v16.20.0.0 driver on my MacBook Pro too (even though it's running Ventura 13.3.1). So, I am running an old Canon supplied driver on both computers and that seems to work fine. I went back and forth with various drivers until I got it working properly. Now I have all the proper color management controls, settings and features for my printer. 

Apple has constantly changed things in their print stream, software, etc, over the years. I guess their focus is more on iPhones, iPads, etc, and I think AirPrint was originally implemented to allow people to print from their phones and tablets wirelessly. Most people printing from their phone or tablet probably aren't too fussy about complications like color management, color profiles, etc, so I am guessing that AirPrint drivers may have fewer features as a result. That may be a great thing for phone and tablet users, or people who just want an "acceptable print", but as far as I am concerned, they're making life more and more difficult for higher end folks who want control over their printing from a Mac. A good example of that is the fact that the Apple driver doesn't even support rendering intents (which is why I added the ColorSync Utility to the PDF pop-up menu, because ColorSync DOES allow you to choose rendering intents). 

Hopefully, you will get things working to your satisfaction without too much pain!!

Thanks for the info! I unfortunately can't seem to install the ICC profiles for my paper regardless however. According to Canon these are included with the drivers but since I can only seem to run with AirPrint and they don't offer a standalone driver to download I am at an impasse with this printer. I admit this is my first time printing from a Mac and with this printer and I'd probably see more success with a more professional photo printer. Would Canon still be recommended? Epson? I'm open to suggestions at this point.

[Ldina]

44 minutes ago, Revanian said:

I admit this is my first time printing from a Mac and with this printer and I'd probably see more success with a more professional photo printer. Would Canon still be recommended? Epson? I'm open to suggestions at this point.

Hi Revanian. Before considering a new printer, make sure you have tried  ALL the various drivers that Apple makes available. You may have to try searching for drivers when adding your printer, and the latest Mac O/S versions have made it a bit confusing, in my opinion. Apple suggests a driver when "adding a printer", but you should be able to open the pop-up menu for your printer and search for a driver on your computer (if one exists). See the attached screenshots. I believe you have to have your printer connected and turned on in order to add a printer in Mac OS. Have you tried connecting your current printer to you Mac with a USB cable, then looking for a driver? 

If you do decide you want a new printer, you first need to establish what you need. If it's mainly for photo printing on quality papers, then you'll want a photo printer that has a fairly wide color gamut. You'll also want to decide how big you want to print. The bigger your prints, the more expensive the printer tends to be. Another important consideration is whether you want to use a pigment or dye based printer. Pigments are longer lasting and considered more archival than many dye based printers. But pigment inks have their downsides...more prone to clogging inkjet nozzles, and you usually need two different black inks, one for matte fine art papers, and a different black for glossy, semigloss, luster and similar papers. 

I've owned nearly a dozen Epson and Canon printers over the years. I prefer Epson drivers in general, but I like both Canon and Epson printers. I'm not that familiar with HP printers. I always used pigment inks in the past for their "archival" qualities, but after constantly fighting with clogged inkjet nozzles for years, I finally gave up and moved to dye based inks, which are much less likely to clog (plus, a single black ink works on both matte and glossy papers). If the prints fade after I'm dead, I won't care! I've had large, medium and small format printers. Large format printers need to be used fairly frequently, in my experience, or like a car sitting in a garage, they tend to clog up and have problems. (Large format printers tend to be a pain in the --- and require extra care and maintenance). I'm fairly happy with my midsize Canon Pro-100, which is dye based and has a maximum print size of 13x19 inches. I rarely have any problems with it and clogging is not a problem. It's an old model, and it has been quite a while since I've bought a printer, so I'm sure there are better choices on the market. If I need larger prints, canvas, etc, I'll send them out for printing. I did those myself in the past, but I no longer want to maintain a large format printer. Frankly, my walls are plastered with framed prints and I don't have any empty wall space, so I don't print as much as I used to. 

As mentioned, I've never used AirPrint and it may limit some of your capabilities (but I'm not sure about that). If you do buy an AirPrint printer, make sure you still have access to ALL the desired driver settings you want when printing via AirPrint. If not, and if you are able to connect the printer to your computer via USB cable, that may provide different access to different drivers and/or capabilities. Doing some research is a good idea. The most important thing is being clear about exactly what you need before buying. 

 

[nickbatz]

I'd download a trial of Qimage One (https://www.binartem.com/qimageone/) before I scrapped a perfectly good Pro-100. 

The Pro-100 is a very good dye printer. Did you know it can print larger than 13x19? https://support.usa.canon.com/kb/index?page=content&id=ART163128

I now have a Pro-1000 - which I've now outgrown as well! - but I still use my Pro-100 for everyday printing. It just goes and goes.