printer profiles

[Bruce Lorenz]

I have a couple of custom profiles from Cathys for two types of paper that I use on an almost daily basis. I've been using them, along with the printer (R1800) and a Lacie blue monitor with much success for the past 18 months or so. I'm wondering if profiles themselves go bad after a while, or will the printer go first? I realize that the monitor will drift, and I calibrate every Monday morning to compensate. So far no problems, just wondering what might lie up the road.
Thanks for any info.
bl

[Nill Toulme]

I imagine a printer profile should remain good as long as your printer, paper and ink remain consistent. The printer could go out of tune, I suppose, and paper and ink formulations can change, but for the most part you should be in fine shape for the long term.

Nill
~~
www.toulme.net

[Michael Tapes]

Bruce,

Always keep a few sample prints (reference prints) so that when you put in a new ink (even 1) or open a new box of paper, you can print the same image(s) as the reference print to see if the printer remains stable. This also takes the monitor out of the equation. Along with a real life (image) I would suggest a step wedge and a gradient, as these really can tell the tale.

HTH

[Bruce Lorenz]

good idea Michael, thanks

[Andrew Rodney]

Profiles don't go bad. Well they can like any file on your computer get corrupted. So they work or they don't do squat. The profile simply defines and describes device behavior. If for any reason the device changes it's behavior due to say a difference in ink lots or paper, or the device changes its physical behavior as Displays undergo, the profile becomes less and less useful (I'd hate to use the word 'accurate' but you get the idea). You either have to recalibrate the device or reprofile. Some devices allow calibration, some don't.

[Bev Sampson]

I have a couple of custom profiles from Cathys for two types of paper that I use on an almost daily basis. I've been using them, along with the printer (R1800) and a Lacie blue monitor with much success for the past 18 months or so. I'm wondering if profiles themselves go bad after a while, or will the printer go first? I realize that the monitor will drift, and I calibrate every Monday morning to compensate. So far no problems, just wondering what might lie up the road.
Thanks for any info.
bl

While I don't use profiles, I have had my prints come out looking strange. Printer is Epson 2200. Downloading and reinstalling the printer drivers corrects the problem. This had happened to me at least 3 times.

Bev