Printing pictures too dark.

[gavioli]

I do sometimes wonder if HP are really interested in customer service after the guarantee period has expired or even when in warranty. Last February (2011), I purchased a Photosmart B110a Scanner/Printer and from day one  it has printed photographs considerably darker than the picture, after editing, on the computer. Contacting HP direct in order to address the problem is about as useful as a condom dispenser in a nunnery. For 15 months I have been unable to print photographs properly. The helpsite which gives all manner of printing advice about how to adjust midtones and lightness etc., refers to tabs which don`t exist and has shortcuts that don`t work. I have uninstalled and re-installed the printer three times over  the15 months and the software and printers are bang up to date. I am using Windows 7 Home Premium with all updates installed and up-to-date Mozilla Firefox and Internet Explorer. I will never but another HP printer - ever.

Help to address the printing problem would be greatly appreciated.

[banhien]

Hi,

Normally we need to calibrate the screen (must be very good screen) to be able to match the colors when printing. That is the main difference from a  $1,000 monitor and a $200 monitor. Having said that, I think you can always use software to adjust the colors before sending pictures to print.

Hope this makes sense.

[gavioli]

Thank you for you kind and prompt reply. The monitor is correctly set up according to the various picture tests that came with the equipment and is regularly checked. It is the same monitor I have used with my previous 2 printers  and the settings have always been compatible and trouble free.

[Dianne_J]

I purchased a HP Deskjet 1050 J410 series Printer in Oct 2012. Also have a one year old Acer Computer with Microsoft Windows 7. When I print photographs, they are always much darker than the actual photograph. How can I change this without manual manipulation each and every time I print a photograph. I use only HP cartridges. I never know what to expect when the photograph is printed and I am highly disappointed as it consumes toner and I don't have money to waste! Would appreciate so much finding out how to set my printer to get the desired results. I did not have this problem with my previous HP Printer! Thanks for your help!

[gavioli]

Since posting my problem, out of sheer frustration, I eventually took my HP All-in-one to the council tip and it was the best thing  I ever did. I introduced myself to the Canon equivalent in September 2012 and have never looked back. Every single photographic print that I have ever done on the machine, has been printed exactly as shown on the screen and without a single software adjustment. The out of the box default setting needs no further tweaking and the things that the software allows me to do, are far more numerous and helpful than the old HP software.

Thank you for trying to help - it was appreciated.

[gavioli]

You are in exactly the same situation as I was Dianne. Have you thought of a substitution with a printer used by a friend ? You could then find out if it is the printer which needs throwing out, or monitor settings on your computer.