HP Smart Tank 7600 Series Color Calibration

[tneller]

Even on quality, glossy inkjet photo paper, colors seem washed out on my HP Smart Tank 7602.  I've gone through all of the suggested printhead cleaning and I've replaced the print heads.  Colors tanks are full. 

I'm surprised to not easily find a way to calibrate color output on this printer.  Is it possible to color-calibrate the HP Smart Tank 7602?  If not, are there ways to manually make adjustments in the output color levels?  

Thanks!

[Hawks_Eye]

Hi @tneller 

Welcome to the HP Support Community! We're here to help you get back up and running.

I understand how disappointing it feels to see washed‑out colors even after you’ve already cleaned and replaced the printheads and ensured the tanks are full. You’ve been very thorough, and I appreciate the effort you’ve put in. 

Let’s clarify what’s possible with your HP Smart Tank 7602 and how you can still fine‑tune the output.

About color calibration on HP Smart Tank 7602

This model does not have a built‑in color calibration utility like some professional photo printers. Instead, it relies on alignment and driver‑level adjustments to manage color output.

Steps you can take to improve color output

1. Align the printheads

• On the printer’s control panel, go to Setup > Printer Maintenance > Align Printheads.
• This ensures the nozzles are aligned for accurate color placement.

2. Adjust print settings in Windows

• When printing, open the Print dialog and select your HP Smart Tank 7602.
• Click Printer Properties or Preferences.
• Under the Color or Advanced tab, adjust:
  • Paper type: Select “Photo Paper, Glossy” to match your media.
  • Print quality: Choose “Best” for maximum ink density.
  • Color options: Switch from “Automatic” to “Manual” if available, then adjust saturation and brightness.

3. Use the HP App for photo printing

• Open the HP App on Windows 11.
• Select your printer and choose Print Photos.
• The app optimizes color handling for photo paper and often produces richer tones.

4. Check paper compatibility

• Ensure the glossy paper is designed for inkjet printers.
• Some papers absorb ink differently, leading to faded or washed‑out colors.

5. Update printer firmware and drivers

• Visit the support page for your model:
  HP Smart Tank 7602 Printer – Software and Drivers
• Install the latest firmware and full feature driver package.
• Restart the printer and computer after installation.

 

While the Smart Tank 7602 does not have a dedicated color calibration tool, you can achieve stronger, more vibrant output by aligning the printheads, adjusting driver settings for photo paper, and printing through the HP App. Updating firmware and ensuring the right paper type also make a noticeable difference.

If my response helped, please mark it as an Accepted Solution! ✅ It helps others and spreads support. 💙 Also, tapping "Yes" on "Was this reply helpful?" makes a big difference! Thanks! 😊

Take care, and have an amazing day!

Regards, 

Hawks_Eye

[tneller]

I've tried these things.  Printing a color print test page from MyColorPrint on high quality glossy inkjet printer paper makes the color deficiencies clear.  rgb(238, 30, 36) (hsv(358, 87%, 93%)) looks very close to rgb(237, 31, 120) (hsv(334, 87%, 93%)).  Reds look orange.  The difference between red roses on a screen and the reddish-orange roses printed is striking.  Black looks like very dark brown, even on high quality photo paper.

 High contrast between huesLow printed contrast between hues on quality photo paperMyTestPrint.com color test page screen vs HP Smart Tank 7602

As it turns out, I'm working on a Windows 10 Pro, not Windows 11, so I can only get the HP Smart app via the Microsoft Store.  If there are better printing tools via Android or for Windows 10 Pro, please let me know.

I have latest drivers and software available on this platform for this printer.   Perhaps I'm expecting too much?  Colors are much better on my Canon imageClass laserjet, and perhaps this is just a budget inkjet printer with a non-budget price?

[Hawks_Eye]

We sincerely thank you for your patience and co-operation during this troubleshooting process.

My sincere apologies for the inconvenience caused to you. We'd hate for you to be stuck in a situation like this. Because you matter to us.

The HP Smart Tank 7602 does not support built-in color calibration, but you can improve output by manually adjusting print settings and using the HP App or compatible photo printing tools.

I understand how disappointing it feels to invest in high-quality glossy inkjet paper and still see washed-out reds and blacks. You’ve already gone above and beyond—replacing printheads, updating drivers, and testing with color reference pages. 

Let’s build on that effort with a few targeted steps that can help you get closer to the vibrant output you’re expecting.

 

Manual Color Adjustment Options

1. Use the Embedded Web Server (EWS) for deeper control

• Open a browser and enter your printer’s IP address to access the EWS.
• Navigate to Settings > Print Quality or Advanced Settings.
• If available, adjust Color Density, Saturation, or Ink Volume.
• These controls vary by firmware version, so check for firmware updates first.

2. Adjust driver-level settings in Windows 10 Pro

• In the Print dialog, select your HP Smart Tank 7602 and click Printer Properties.
• Under the Paper/Quality tab:
  • Set Media Type to “HP Glossy Photo Paper.”
  • Set Print Quality to “Best.”
• Under the Color tab:
  • Switch from “Automatic” to “Manual.”
  • Adjust Saturation and Brightness to deepen tones.
  • If available, enable ICM (Image Color Management) for better color matching.

3. Use the HP App for photo printing

• Download the HP App from the HP App Overview page.
• Add your printer and select Print Photos.
• The app applies optimized color profiles for photo media, often improving contrast and hue separation.

4. Confirm paper compatibility and ink absorption

• Use only inkjet-compatible glossy paper.
• Avoid generic photo paper that may not absorb dye-based ink evenly.
• Store paper flat and in a dry environment to prevent warping or coating degradation.

5. Update firmware and software

• Visit the HP Smart Tank 7602 Software and Drivers page.
• Download and install the latest firmware and full feature driver package.
• Restart both printer and PC after installation.

While this model doesn’t offer professional-grade calibration, combining EWS adjustments, driver-level tweaks, and optimized media settings can noticeably improve color fidelity.

If my response helped, please mark it as an Accepted Solution! ✅ It helps others and spreads support. 💙 Also, tapping "Yes" on "Was this reply helpful?" makes a big difference! Thanks! 😊

Take care, and have an amazing day!

Regards, 

Hawks_Eye

[tneller]

Of the options you mentioned, it seems that creating a calibrated ICC profile to add for Color Management in Windows is the best option.  Without purchase of specialized color measurement devices, are there ways that a user can use either a smartphone or the printer scanner bed to iteratively print a color test, scan/image the printed color test, and repeat so as to converge on best ICC profile settings for the printer and paper?

In other words, how can a user develop an ICC profile with accessible, free tools (not requiring additional purchases) so as to color-calibrate the HP Smart Tank 7602? 

[Hawks_Eye · Accepted solution]

Thanks for replying.

You’ve done an impressive job exploring every angle of color fidelity on your HP Smart Tank 7602. While this model doesn’t support built-in calibration, you’re absolutely right that a custom ICC profile could help bridge the gap between screen and print — especially for reds and blacks that appear off-tone. 

You can create a custom ICC profile using free tools like ArgyllCMS and your printer’s scanner or a smartphone, though results may vary without professional calibration hardware.

Let’s walk through how to approach this using accessible tools.

 

Free Tools for ICC Profile Creation

ArgyllCMS (Windows, macOS, Linux)

• A powerful open-source color management system that supports ICC v2 and v4 profiles.
• You can use it to generate, edit, and apply ICC profiles.
• Website: ArgyllCMS Home Page

DemoIccMax / IccProfLib (from ICC)

• Offers utilities to create and manipulate ICC profiles, including XML conversion and profile validation.
• Website: Open Source ICC Tools

Note: HP takes no responsibility for content authored by third-parties.

 

Workflow Using Scanner or Smartphone

While these tools are designed for use with colorimeters or spectrophotometers, you can attempt a manual iterative approach:

Print a standardized color test chart

• Use a reference like the MyTestPrint.com chart you’ve already used.
• Ensure consistent print settings: same paper, quality, and driver configuration.

Scan the printed chart using your printer’s flatbed scanner

• Save the scan as a high-resolution TIFF or PNG.
• Avoid auto-enhancement or compression.

Analyze the scanned image

• Use ArgyllCMS or image editing software (like GIMP with ICC plugin) to compare scanned colors to expected RGB values.
• Note deviations in hue, saturation, and brightness.

Adjust and iterate

• Modify color output settings in the driver or EWS (Embedded Web Server).
• Reprint the chart and rescan.
• Repeat until the printed output closely matches the digital reference.

Generate a custom ICC profile

• Use ArgyllCMS’s colprof and dispcal utilities to build a profile based on your scanned results.
• Apply the profile in Windows via Control Panel > Color Management.

 

Limitations and Considerations

• Smartphone cameras introduce variability due to auto white balance and lens distortion.
• Scanners offer more consistency but may not capture full color gamut accurately.
• Without a spectrophotometer, this process is subjective and best suited for improving relative color accuracy rather than achieving professional-grade calibration.

If you’re open to a semi-automated approach, ArgyllCMS paired with your scanner is the most viable path. Would you like a step-by-step guide to installing and using ArgyllCMS for your first test chart analysis? I can help you get started with the basics.

If my response helped, please mark it as an Accepted Solution! ✅ It helps others and spreads support. 💙 Also, tapping "Yes" on "Was this reply helpful?" makes a big difference! Thanks! 😊

Take care, and have an amazing day!

Regards, 

Hawks_Eye