Lexmark C532, C530, C534 User Manual

Color quality guide

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Color quality guide

The Color quality guide helps users understand how operations available on the printer can be used to adjust and customize color output.

Quality menu

Menu item Description Settings

Print Mode Specifies whether images are printed in monochrome grayscale

or in color Note: Color is the default setting.

Color Correction Adjusts the color output on the printed page

Notes:

• Due to the differences in additive and subtractive colors,

certain colors that appear on computer monitors are impossible to duplicate on the printed page.

• Auto is the default setting. Auto applies different color

conversion tables to each object on the printed page. It looks at how the color for each object is defined.

• Off turns off color correction.

• Manual allows customization of the color tables using the

settings available under the Manual Color menu.

Print Resolution Specifies the printed output resolution

Notes:

• 4800 CQ is the default setting.

• 1200 dpi provides the highest resolution output. This setting

increases gloss.

Color Black Only

Auto Off Manual

1200 dpi 4800 CQ

Toner Darkness Lightens or darkens the printed output

Notes:

• 4 is the default setting.

• Selecting a smaller number can help conserve toner.

• If Print Mode is set to Black Only, a setting of 5 increases

toner density and darkness to all print jobs.

• If Print Mode is set to Color, a setting of 5 is the same as a

setting of 4.

1–5

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Menu item Description Settings

Enhance Fine Lines Enables a print mode preferable for files such as architectural

drawings, maps, electrical circuit diagrams, and flow charts

Notes:

• To set Enhance Fine Lines from the software program with

a document open (applicable to Windows users), click

File  Print, and then click Properties, Preferences, Options, or Setup.

• To set Enhance Fine Lines using the Embedded Web

Server, type the network printer IP address in a browser window.

Color Saver Reduces the amount of toner used for graphics and images.

The amount of toner used for text is not reduced.

Notes:

• Off is the default setting.

• On overrides Toner Darkness settings.

• Color Saver is not supported in PPDS, and only partially

supported by the PCL emulation printer software.

RGB Brightness Adjusts brightness in color outputs

Notes:

On Off

-6 to 6

• 0 is the default setting.

• -6 is the maximum decrease. 6 is the maximum increase.

• This does not affect files where CMYK color specifications

are being used.

RGB Contrast Adjusts contrast in color outputs

Notes:

• 0 is the default setting.

• This does not affect files where CMYK color specifications

are being used.

RGB Saturation Adjusts saturation in color outputs

Notes:

• 0 is the default setting.

• This does not affect files where CMYK color specifications

are being used.

Color Balance 

• Cyan

• Magenta

Adjusts color in printed output by increasing or decrea sing the amount of toner being used for each color

Note: 0 is the default setting.

• Yellow

• Black

• Reset Defaults

0 to 5

-5 to 5

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Menu item Description Settings

Color Samples Prints sample pages for each of the RGB and CMYK color

conversion tables used in the printer

Notes:

• Selecting any setting prints the sample.

• Color samples consist of a series of colored boxes along

with the RGB or CMYK combination that creates the color observed. These pages can be used to help decide which combinations to use to get the desired printed output.

• The easiest way to access a complete list of these pages is

by using the Embedded Web Server, a series of resident pages located in network printers. Type the IP address of the printer in a browser window to see these pages.

Manual Color 

• RGB Image

• RGB Text

• RGB Graphics

Customizes the RGB color conversions

Notes:

• sRGB Display is the default setting. This applies a color

conversion table that tries to produce output that matches the colors displayed on a computer monitor.

• Vivid applies a color conversion table that produces

brighter, more saturated colors.

• Display—True Black applies a color conversion table that

uses only black toner for neutral gray colors.

• sRGB Vivid applies a color table that increases saturation.

This is preferred for business graphics and text.

• Off turns off color conversion.

sRGB Display sRGB Vivid Display—True Black Vivid Off—RGB US CMYK Euro CMYK Vivid CMYK Off—CMYK

Vivid sRGB Display Display—True Black sRGB Vivid Off

Manual Color 

• CMYK Image

• CMYK Text

• CMYK Graphics

Customizes the CMYK color conversions

Notes:

• US CMYK is the default setting. This applies a color

conversion table that tries to produce output that matches SWOP color output.

• Euro CMYK applies a color conversion table that tries to

produce output that matches EuroScale color output.

• Vivid CMYK increases color saturation for the US CMYK

color conversion table.

• Off turns off color conversion.

US CMYK Euro CMYK Vivid CMYK Off

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Menu item Description Settings

Color Adjust Initiates a recalibration of color conversion tables and allows the

printer to make adjustments for color variations in output

Notes:

None

• Calibrating starts when this menu is selected.

Calibrating appears on the display until the process is finished.

• Color variations in output sometimes result from

changeable conditions such as room temperature and humidity. Color adjustments are made on printer algorithms. Color alignment is also recalibrated in this process.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about color printing

What is RGB color?

Red, green, and blue light can be added together in various amounts to produ ce a large range of colors observed in nature. For example, red and green can be combined to create yellow. Televisions and computer monitors create colors in this manner. RGB color is a method of describing colors by indicating the amount of red, green, or blue needed to produce a certain color.

What is CMYK color?

Cyan, magenta, yellow, and black inks or toners can be printed in various amounts to produce a large range of colors observed in nature. For example, cyan and yellow can be combined to create green. Printing presses, inkjet printers, and color laser printers create colors in this manner. CMYK color is a method of describing colors by indicating the amount of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black needed to reproduce a particular color.

How is color specified in a document to be printed?

Software programs typically specify document color using RGB or CMYK color comb inations. Additionally, they commonly let users modify the color of each objec t in a document. For more information, see the software program Help section.

How does the printer know what color to print?

When a user prints a document, information describing the type and color of each object is sent to the printer. The color information is passed through color conversion tables that translate the color into appropriate amounts of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black toner needed to produce the desired color. The object type information lets different color conversion tables be used for different types of objects. For example, it is possible to apply one type of color conversion table to text while applying a different color conversion table to photographic images.

Should I use PostScript or PCL emulation printer software? What settings should I use for the best color?

The PostScript driver is strongly recommended for best color quality. The default settings in the PostScript driver provide preferred color quality for the majority of printouts.

Why doesn't the printed color match the color I see on the computer screen?

The color conversion tables used in Auto Color Correction mode generally approximate the colors of a sta ndard computer monitor. However, because of technology differences that exist between printers and monitors, there are many colors that can also be affected by monitor variations and lighting co nditio ns. For recommendatio ns on how the printer color sample pages may be useful in solving certain color-matching problems, see the question, “How can I match a particular color (such as a color in a corporate logo)?”

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The printed page appears tinted. Can I slightly adjust the color?

Sometimes a user may consider printed pages to appear tinted (for example, everything printed seems to be too red). This can be caused by environmental conditions, paper type, lighting conditions, or user preference. In these instances, adjusting the Color Balance setting may be used to create more preferable color. Color Balance provides the user with the ability to make subtle adjustments to the amount of toner being used in each color plane. Selecting positive (or negative) values for cyan, magenta, yellow, and black under the Color Balance menu will slightly increase (or decrease) the amount of toner used for the chosen color. For example, if a user believes the overall printed page to be too red, then decreasing both magenta and yellow could potentially improve color preferences.

For information about adjusting the Color Balance setting, see the Menus and Messages Guide on the Software and Documentation CD.

My color transparencies seem dark when being projected. Is there anything I can do to improve the color?

This problem most commonly occurs when projecting transparencies with reflective overhead projectors. To obtain the highest projected color quality, transmissive overhead projectors are recommended. If a reflective projector must be used, then adjusting the Toner Darkness setting to 1, 2, or 3 will lighten the transparency. For more information, see the Menus and Messages Guide on the Software and Documentation CD.

Make sure to print on the recommended type of color transparencies. For more information ab out the paper and media specifications, see the User's Guide on the Software and Documentation CD.

What is manual color correction?

The color conversion tables applied to each object when using the default Auto Color Correction setting generate preferred color for the majority of documents. Occasionally, a user may want to apply a different color table mapping. This customization is accomplished using the Manual Color menu and the Manual Color Correction setting.

Manual Color Correction applies to RGB and CMYK color conversion table mappings as defined in the Manual Color menu.

Users may select any of the different color conversion tables for RGB or CMYK:

Color conversion table Settings

RGB

• sRGB Display

• Display—True Black

• sRGB Vivid

• Vivid

• Off

CMYK

• US CMYK

• Euro CMYK

• Vivid CMYK

• Off

Note: The Manual Color Correction setting is not useful if the software program does not specify colors with RGB

or CMYK combinations. It is also not effective in situations where the software program or the computer operating system controls the adjustment of colors.

How can I match a particular color (such as a corporate logo)?

Occasionally, users have a need for the printed color of a particular object to closely match a specific color. For example, a user may need to match the color of a corporate logo. While instances can occur in which the printer cannot exactly reproduce the desired color, users should be able to identify adequate color matches for the majority of cases.

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The Color Samples menu item can provide useful information in helping solve this particular type of color-matching problem. The nine Color Samples values correspond to color conve rsion tables in the printer. Selecting any of the Color Samples values generates a multiple-page printout consisting of hundre ds of colored boxes. Either a CMYK or RGB combination is located on each box, depending on the table selected. The observe d color of each box is obtained by passing the CMYK or RGB combination labeled on the box through the selected color conversion table.

The user can examine the color samples pages and identify the box whose color is the closest to the desired color. The color combination labeled on the box can then be used for modifying the color of the object in a software program. For instructions, see the software program Help. Manual Color Correction may be necessary to utilize the selected color conversion table for the particular object.

Selecting which Color Samples pages to use for a particular color-matching problem depends on the Color Correction setting being used (Auto, Off, or Manual), the type of object being printed (text, graphics, or images), and how the color of the object is specified in the software pro gram (RGB or CMYK combinations). When the printer Color Correction setting is set to Off, the color is based on the print job information; no color conversion is implemented.

Note: The Color Samples pages are not useful if the software program does not specify colors with RGB or CMYK combinations. Additionally, certain situations exist where the software pr ogram or the computer operating system adjusts the RGB or CMYK combinations specified in the program through color management. The resulting printed color may not be an exact match of the Color Samples pages.

The following table can help identify which Color Sample pages to use for color matching.

Color specification and object to be printed

RGB—Text Auto SRGB Vivid

RGB—Graphic Auto SRGB Vivid

RGB—Image Auto SRGB Display

CMYK—Text Auto US CMYK or Euro CMYK

CMYK—Graphic Auto US CMYK

CMYK—Image Auto US CMYK

Color Correction setting Sample pages to use

Manual Manual Color RGB Text Setting

Manual Manual Color RGB Graphic Setting

Manual Manual Color RGB Image Setting

Manual Manual Color CMYK Text Setting

Manual Manual Color CMYK Graphic Setting

Manual Manual Color CMYK Image Setting

What are Detailed Color Samples and how do I access them?

This topic applies only to network printers. These pages requir e the use of the Embedded Web Server. The Embedded Web Server is a series of resident pages stored in the network printer firmware. To access these pages, browse to the IP address of the network printer. Click Configuration Menu, and then click Detailed Color Samples.

For more information about using the Embedded Web Server, see the User's Guide on the Software and Documentation CD.

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Detailed Color Samples are pages similar to the default pages of color samples accessible from the Quality menu using the control panel. The default color samples available using this method have an increment value of 10% for red, green, and blue. If the user finds a value on this page that is close, but would like to scan more colors in a nearby area, the user can use the Detailed Color Samples to select the desired color values and a more specific increment. This provides a way to print multiple pages of colore d boxes that surround a specific color of interest.

There are nine conversion tables available with the following three options:

• Print—Prints the default pages

• Detailed—Lets you enter individual red, green, and blue values and a specific increment of color

• Reset—Lets you clear the existing information and enter new values

The process can be duplicated for Cyan (C), Magenta (M), Yellow (Y), and Black (K) color conversion tables, to o. Collectively, these values are known as CMYK color. The default increment is 10% for Black and 20% each for Cyan, Magenta, and Yellow.

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Print quality guide

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Print quality guide

Many print quality problems can be solved by replacing a supply or maintenance item that is approaching the end o f its intended life. Check the control panel for a message about a printer supply.

Use the following table to find solutions to print quality problems:

Isolating print quality problems

To help isolate print quality problems, print the print quality test pages:

1 Turn the printer off. 2 From the control panel, press and hold and while turning the printer on.

3 Release both buttons when Performing Self Test appears.

The printer performs its power-on sequence, and then Config Menu appears.

4 Press until Prt Quality Pgs appears, and then press .

The pages are formatted. Printing Quality Test Pages appears, and then the pages print. The message remains on the control panel until all the pages print.

5 After the print quality test pages print, press until Exit Config Menu appears, and then press .

The information in the following topics may help you solve print quality problems. If these suggestions still do not correct the problem, call for customer service. You may have a printer part that requires adjustment or replacement.

Repeating defects

Example Cause Solution

If marks occur repeatedly only in one color and multiple times down a page, a toner cartridge or photoconductor may be defective.

If marks occur down the page repeatedly in all colors, the fuser may be defective.

Replace the toner cartridge if the defects occur every:

• 33.5 mm (1.32 in.)

• 35.7 mm (1.41 in.)

Replace the photoconductor if the defects occur every:

• 28.3 mm (1.11 in.)

• 72.4 mm (2.85 in.)

Replace the fuser if the defects occur every

116.2 mm (4.58 in.).

Color misregistration

Example Cause Solution

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Color has shifted outside of the appropriate area or has been superimposed over another color

ABCDEABCDE

ABCDE

Adjusting the color alignment

1 Make sure the printer is turned off. 2 From the control panel, press and hold and while turning the printer on.

3 Release both buttons when Performing Self Test appears.

The printer performs its power-on sequence, and then Config Menu appears.

area.

• Adjust the color alignment. For

more information, see “Adjusting the color alignment” on page 9.

• Remove and reinstall the

photoconductors. For more information about installing supplies, see the User's Guide on the Software and Documentation CD.

Note: If you have not resolved the issue, adjust the color alignment again.

4 Press until Color Alignment appears, and then press . 5 Press again to print the alignment page. 6 Press until Set A appears, and then press .

7 From the printed sheet, find the straightest of the 20 lines beside the letter A. 8 Press or until that number is displayed, and then press .

Submitting Selection appears.

9 Repeat steps 6 through 8 to align sets A through L. 10 Press . 11 Press until Exit Config Menu appears, and then press .

Resetting the Printer appears briefly, followed by a clock, and then Ready appears.

Streaked horizontal lines

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Example Cause Solution

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ABCDE ABCDE

A toner cartridge is defective, empty, or worn.

Fuser is defective or worn. Replace the fuser. Photoconductors may be

defective.

Replace the toner cartridge.

Replace the photoconductor units.

ABCDE

Print irregularities

Example Cause Solution

ABCDE ABCDE

ABCDE

Media has absorbed moisture due to high humidity.

The media being used does not meet the printer specifications.

A toner cartridge is low or may be almost empty.

Load media from a fresh package into the paper tray.

Make sure the Paper Type and Paper Weight settings match the type of media you are using.

Avoid textured media with rough finishes.

Replace the toner cartridge.

Fuser is worn or defective. Replace the fuser.

Print is too dark

Cause Solution

Toner Darkness setting is too dark, RGB Brightness setting is too dark, or RGB Contrast setting is too high.

Toner cartridge is defective. Replace the toner cartridge.

Select a different Toner Darkness setting, RGB Brightness setting, or RGB Contrast setting from Print Properties before sending the job to print.

Note: This solution applies to Windows users only.

Print is too light

Cause Solution

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Toner Darkness setting is too light, RGB Brightness setting is too bright, or RGB Contrast setting is incorrect.

• Select a different Toner Darkness setting, RGB

Brightness setting, or RGB Contrast setting from Print Properties before sending the job to print.

Note: This solution applies to Windows users only.

• Adjust the color quality settings in the Quality menu.

The media being used does not meet the printer specifications.

• Load media from a new package.

• Avoid textured media with rough finishes.

• Make sure the media you load in the trays is not damp.

• Make sure the Paper Type and Paper Weight settings

match the type of media you are using. Color Saver is On. Turn Color Saver off. Toner is low. Replace the toner cartridge. Toner cartridge is defective or worn.

Light colored line, white line, or incorrectly colored line

Example Cause Solution

Toner cartridge is defective. Replace the color cartridge causing the

line.

ABCDE ABCDE

Photoconductors are defective. Replace the photoconductor units. Transfer belt is defective. Replace the transfer belt. Printhead lenses are dirty. Clean the printhead lenses.

Transparency print quality is poor

Cause Solution

You are using transparencies that do not meet the printer specifications.

Paper Type setting for the tray you are using is set to something other than Transparency.

Use only transparencies recommended by the printer manufacturer.

Make sure the Paper Type setting is set to Transparency.

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