Transparency Problem - SBB Digital Scrapbooking Forums | Scrapbook-Bytes

twofromjiangsu · #1 (**permalink**) 01-24-2007

I have a weird problem with DIP 10. If I make an object transparent (a photo, a shape, etc.) the transparency shows up fine in DIP, but if I print it, it prints as the original full color object. I am printing directly from DIP, printing the original PNG file.

If I save the file as a JPG, the transparency seems to be retained, but still does not print quite as light as I made it in DIP. Any ideas why this might be happening? I am saving my work as I go.

As an example, I used a paper from a digital kit as a background on my layout. I used the transparency feature to make the background about 40% transparent, because it was a bright orange color and I wanted it more muted. It looked lighter/more transparent on the monitor screen, but when I printed it, it was the original bright orange. I have had this happen multiple times when I have wanted to use a photograph as a background on a layout. I can't figure out how to make the transparency "stick."

I have tried printing the JPG using another program, such as Picasa, but I have the same problem. In fact, if I look at the PNG file in Picasa, it is obviously the darker, non-transparent color in the thumbnail of the layout.

Any help would be appreciated.

Jeanne P. · #2 (**permalink**) 01-25-2007

LOL...but not funny! I know what you are talking about. I have an Epson-all-in-one and once in a while it has a funky 'screen effect' on transparencies. I also have had to save as a JPG and it usually takes that funky effect away. In the advanced settings on my printer I check the box that says O ICM settings. To lighten the color I go to
DIP>effects>adjust midtones. The default setting is 50, I subtract 5, which makes the midtone setting 45 and it pretty well prints the exact color. (You may have to playaround with the midtone effects to get the lightness/darkness you want).

Tell us what kind of printer you have....maybe others can help.

coffeequeen · #3 (**permalink**) 01-25-2007

I suspect it is also a printer issue. What you see on your monitor isn't what you're getting, right? My colors always seem to lay down much heavier when printed than seen on my monitor. Is this true with all our colors or just the transparent ones?

Try this:
Insert shape - line (none), fill-white. This will be your white canvas background. You may not need to do this, depending on your version of DIP, but it's a good fail-safe.
Lay two identical pieces of paper, side by side.
Now select one and adjust the hue (change hue option) by just adding white (use the numeric value near the bottom in the tiny box next to the gray-to white image). So maybe you've gone from an orange to a soft peach, or something similar, yes?
Now select the other paper. Adjust the transparency of this so that it looks to be the same color as the other paper.

You may insert a word or object, sliding it under the transparent image, just got kicks d giggles, but it will also show you if your image holds the transparent quality.

Now print. If your image is holding its tranparency, your two papers will be close to the same color, and you should be able to see the bottom image (remember that word you inserted and slid to the bottom?). If they are approx. the same color on the paper, but brighter or darker than what is onscreen, then it is likely a printer issue or monitor callibration issue.

Mine is printer-monitor. SInce I really don't know how to adjust those without risking damage, this is what I do: I print in "Normal" mode and NOT "best Quality." That just lays down too much color. I also make it a point to add flash and adjust my levels on photos as a matter of routine, because while I may like them on screen, I know they will be darker when printed. Similar to making your own pre-sets.

Hope this helps!
Laurie

shelleyrae · #4 (**permalink**) 01-25-2007

I can't say this has ever happened for me and i print the png files - I talked to Kim and she prints her jpgs and its fine.
My best guess is that is likely to be a printer issue. Probably the easiest resolution is to just make a copy of what you print, change it to a jpg and print

However you may get an answer from the tech board for DIP which you can find here: http://www.microsoft.com/communities...&lang=en&cr=US

twofromjiangsu · #5 (**permalink**) 01-26-2007

Thanks for all of your help! I tried what you suggested below. My results were strange. When I printed my sample, the side that I had made transparent (with text underneath) printered DARKER then the side with the original color! I could see the text underneath, however. I played with it a little, and the only way I could get it to appear as light as the original color was to crank the transparency way, way up. Even then, it printed darker than on the screen.

I have a Canon Pixma MP600 all-in-one. It has the same print engine as the Pixma 6600D, so it is a 'photo printer'. It does print photos a bit darker than I generally like. I played with the settings, and I found a place in the driver where I could tell it to print "lighter." I chose this option and printed a photo of my daughter. The photo I printed lighter has better skin tones, not so dark. The only difference I see otherwise is that my daughter's hair is not so dark black as in the "regular" print. My daughter is Chinese, and she has very dark black hair. The lighter print still looks good, and if I didn't see them side by side I probably would not know that the hair was not as dark as it could be.

I also tried printing Normal instead of Best, and the photos still look great and take less ink. That tip will save me a few bucks.

So, for photos I will tell it to print lighter, and for transparent effects I will have to ramp the transparency way, way up to get the effect I am looking for.

Thanks again everyone!

Beverly

Quote:

Originally Posted by coffeequeen

Try this:
Insert shape - line (none), fill-white. This will be your white canvas background. You may not need to do this, depending on your version of DIP, but it's a good fail-safe.
Lay two identical pieces of paper, side by side.
Now select one and adjust the hue (change hue option) by just adding white (use the numeric value near the bottom in the tiny box next to the gray-to white image). So maybe you've gone from an orange to a soft peach, or something similar, yes?
Now select the other paper. Adjust the transparency of this so that it looks to be the same color as the other paper.

You may insert a word or object, sliding it under the transparent image, just got kicks d giggles, but it will also show you if your image holds the transparent quality.

Now print. If your image is holding its tranparency, your two papers will be close to the same color, and you should be able to see the bottom image (remember that word you inserted and slid to the bottom?). If they are approx. the same color on the paper, but brighter or darker than what is onscreen, then it is likely a printer issue or monitor callibration issue.

twofromjiangsu · #6 (**permalink**) 01-26-2007

Unfortunately my Canon printer has different choices in the settings, but I am able to tell it to lighten the photo, or I can adjust the colors. By printing a bunch of samples, it looks like telling it to print lighter is helping.

Beverly

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeanne P.

In the advanced settings on my printer I check the box that says O ICM settings. To lighten the color I go to
DIP>effects>adjust midtones. The default setting is 50, I subtract 5, which makes the midtone setting 45 and it pretty well prints the exact color. (You may have to playaround with the midtone effects to get the lightness/darkness you want).

Tell us what kind of printer you have....maybe others can help.

coffeequeen · #7 (**permalink**) 01-26-2007

Glad you could use some of the information. Keep tweaking and good luck!