I'm using the vinyl decal media from Swampland to print labels. Using Corel X5 software to create an image in 400x400 dpi, and printing to an HP Photosmart printer set to photo print with best quality. My black background is coming out slightly purple. Well, maybe not purple, but certainly not as black as I'd like. I'd like to get a true black similar to a black Sharpie. I've set the color within the software to a CMYK level of 0,0,0,100 instead of choosing one of Corel's many Pantone, etc, color pallets. Is there any way I can get a blacker black? Is there someway to tweak my printer/preferences to do this?

Also,
Does anyone know the CMYK levels that can produce something close to a metallic gold? Or is this wishful thinking?

Is the "black" your printer produces acceptable and true black when printed on regular ink jet quality paper? If so you are faced with a problem that many have noticed. Many do not know that India Black Ink has a "purple component" it is there and if you are very consious of it it will be noticed. The black I print with HP print cartridges ends up matching "matt black blanks pretty well - I can tell the difference on gloss black.

Yellow settings are close to metallic gold when using the "holo shine" media - close enough for users of rods not to notice - you will notice because of the close scrutiny. I can use the metalic silver media for filver but the gold media is too thick for me to use without going to a lot of trouble for stick down on smaller blanks. Open the color selection wheel and print several "off yellow" choices on hte holo paper and select the one that looks the best to you.

Bill, thanks for the reply but, no, I'm even getting this on regular paper. I've noticed my ink volume is set to the default which is about 50%. Will increasing this help the black or exacerbate the problem?

Maybe this would be of some help.

[www.december.com]

Greg, I fought that same problem with a newer HP Officejet all-in-one. I gave up and bought a Canon and I am getting great results on the white vinyl and silvershine.

Chuck

_________________________________________
"Angling is extremely time consuming.
That's sort of the whole point." - Thomas McGuane

C. Royce - Thank You, Thank You and Thank You!

It Is!

Well, after a full day of testing, printing, cutting, and wasting quite a bit of paper, I think I have it. Increasing the volume of ink proved to be smudgy on the graphics, but the text looked okay. So I eliminated that lane and tried something else. Here's what worked for me. I changed the black CMYK settings from 0,0,0,100 to a setting of 37,30,30,100. This gave me a blacker black on the screen and in the regular print. However, to get it to come out the blackest with the vinyl media, I had to choose "HP photo paper matte" as my paper of choice in the preferences instead of the default of "HP Advanced photo paper". Enabled max dpi just for good measure. Only problem now is that its just a tad more grainy than when choosing "HP Advanced photo paper". I'm hoping the finish will help to counter this.

C. Royce Harrelson Wrote:
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> Maybe this would be of some help.
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> [www.december.com]


This is a great chart. I think it should be printed using the same printer you will use for your decals and that way you wil have an accurate color chart that should be reproducable on oyur printer.

Thanks for this!