Printing problems with CS3 on XP

B
Posted By
BigKev
Jul 9, 2007
Views
849
Replies
11
Status
Closed
I have a problem with CS3 printing: I use File | New then choose custom size: 297mmx210mm, 300 picxel / inch, then on this canvas, I paste a jpeg file into it, transform the photo to a full A4 size. The PRINT menu is disabled! I did this in Photoshop 6,7, CS1 and CS2 without any problems, the PRINT button was always available! Does anyone know why?
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C
chrisjbirchall
Jul 9, 2007
Check you’ve not created the canvas in 32 bit mode.
C
chrisjbirchall
Jul 9, 2007
Another couple of things come to mind regarding this workflow:

First, why bother making a custom canvas in this size? A4 300ppi is one of the templates provided in the File>New dialogue.

Secondly, using transform to resize an image which was previously saved as a Jpeg is not a good idea. This resizing is unnecessary and will only serve to introduce interpolation artifacts – on top of those created due to Jpeg compression!

The print driver will interpolate the image yet again, to match the generic input resolution of the printer, as it translates your 300 pixels per inch into the 1440 (or whatever) dot per inch of the output.

A better approach would be to simply open your file (preferably the master file saved in a lossless format such as TIFF or PSD) and simply set it to print with the "fit to media" option set in your print driver.

Hope some of this helps.

Chris.
B
BigKev
Jul 9, 2007
Thanks for the reply!

What I am trying to do is this: I want to create my own photo collation on an A4 photo paper, I used to be able to cut and paste multiple jpeg photos into the A4 canvas, then use the "transform" tool to lay them out nicely, then save this as a PSD file. With CS3, this PSD file is not printable anymore – the print button is dimmed. So my first question is: how do I turn the Print button on?

Here is my 2nd question: what’s the best approach to do a photo collation? I don’t like the "Automate | Photo Packages" workflow that comes with CS3, too much hand holding, too restricted, photos laid out on a page are almost fixed – position and size.

3rd question: do you mean resizing is bad?

4th question: your recommended approach of saving as PSD file, do you mean resizing PSD files is OK?

Your help is much appreciated.
RK
Rob_Keijzer
Jul 9, 2007
Is your image printable after you flattened the image?

Rob
B
BigKev
Jul 9, 2007
Hi Rob,

No, not even after I flattened it. The Print menu is disabled from the moment I start a new canvas using the "File / New" menu. The versions prior to CS3 all had Print button on.

CS3 makes the printing size a nightmare too, selecting different photo paper sizes is extremely fiddly, I wasted a lot of expensive papers, and precious time.
JJ
John_Joslin
Jul 10, 2007
I think Mr Polascheck should be invited to pay for the paper and ink that has been wasted across the globe from the pacific coast of the USA to Tasmania.
FN
Fred_Nirque
Jul 10, 2007
I’m not so sure the blame should be rested with him – from what I understand of this he did a fine job of implementing the management and bean-counters’ screwed up directions.

It’s them at the top wot’s to blame, methinks.

Probably none of them ever uses Photoshop themselves, either.
FN
Fred_Nirque
Jul 10, 2007
< http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1dIgVFJKCTtBeCVuXg ed7EqZnktY>
B
BigKev
Jul 10, 2007
Hi chrisjbirchall,

Your first reply solved my problem! Thanks heaps! It is the 32-bit that caused the print button being disabled, do you know why though?

I have a new problem, the printer (Epson 810) now refuses to print A4 for me, I have all setting configured to A4 Landscape, but it only prints 1/4 of A4 for me. Any idea?

Cheers,
FN
Fred_Nirque
Jul 10, 2007
See the endless posts on CS3 printing regarding truncated printing, off-centered printing and forgotten settings that comes standard with Adobes new CS3 printing experience.

Have a look here for a discussion that has responses from the guy responsible for the new printing module:

<http://blogs.adobe.com/jnack/2007/06/printing_in_cs3.html>

This may not help with your problem, but may help to understand why there’s no real solutions other than some very suspect "workarounds" (sometimes) at the moment.
B
Bernie
Jul 12, 2007

[Edit: I posted this in the wrong thread – but then, maybe not, so I’ll let it stay in both places. ]

I upgraded to Photoshop CS3 Extended (NO manual provided) and just today tried to get a decent print from my brand new Epson R2400 K3 printer.

I’m on a disability income. This is a huge investment for me — especially when the resulting prints are worthless. They are in fact, nothing more than a total waste of ink and paper.

I’m using Win XP Pro. My computer is calibrated with a Gretag MacBeth Eye One. I have my color management settings set up per Ian Lyons’ excellent instructions on his website. Followed his instructions for Printing scenario 2, CS3 Color Printing Management. I made sure color management was turned OFF in the printer dialog.

I don’t know what else to do to get this to work correctly. To say that I’m disappointed with Adobe’s latest version would be a gross understatement.

I saw Bob Levine’s comment that one can get a refund on PS CS 3 for 30 days. For me it’s too late for that.

Besides, I don’t want my money back. I want Photoshop to continue to be the Professional Quality program we users have come to expect.

Patrice

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