Today I learned that it is not enough to select the paper surface type and click “Print” when printing photos … on a photo printer! We bought an Epson ET-8550 photo printer, which can use different types of ink. I learned that inks need to be matched to the paper type and construction. For example, we had photo paper from a long time ago and we also bought new packs with the printer. Both were premium glossy photo paper compatible with inkjet printers, but printing on one of them would leave black ink splotches which would not be absorbed into the paper.

After much frustration, testing, and research, it turned out that the bad prints were on photo paper with vinyl backing and the printer was mismatching the black ink type.

Luckily there is a solution for this problem – ICC profiles, which can help match printer, ink, and paper to produce a great print.