Printing on PhotoGlow Backlit Media.

Over the past several years we have tried many different printer settings to optimize the look of illuminated PhotoGlow backlit prints, on Epson printers like the 2200, 4000, 7600 and 9600 with Ultrachrome inks.

These empirical experiments took place at the same time the PhotoGlow frame was getting significantly brighter than the initial prototypes. As the backlighting got brighter, the images were overwhelmed by the amount of light and appeared “washed out”. A technique for printing a richer looking film to backlight involves having the printer lay down more ink than used typically in standard reflective outputs. To do this open your printer driver preferences window alike seen below.

The media type we have had most success with in printing on the PhotoGlow media is enhanced matte paper. Print on the more matte, or less shiny surface. Do not choose backlit film as it will automatically mirror image your print, which is incorrect for our media. We use photo black ink. Change mode to “custom” and click on the “advanced” button.

This is the control panel that will open. For print quality I choose superfine 1440 dpi as I have not seen better results with the 2880 setting. I choose the super(x) setting and choose high speed, which lays down ink on both the back and forth motion on the print head. For some with the Epson 2200, it helps prevent roller marks when unchecking this feature, as it gives the ink a chance to dry. I choose to print with the finest detail. Choose the Color Control setting as shown in the upper right part of the image below. Gamma of 2.2 gives a richer print. Under mode, I typically choose automatic, although on some PowerPoint type graphics prints, I have chosen vivid on occasion.

The key to the richer prints is to move over the Cyan, Magenta and Yellow sliders over to the plus side on the right. I like to start with +15 on all, but have gone as high as +20 on occasion.

By using these settings we have been able to produce rich, realistic looking backlit prints even with brightness levels of 3 to 4 times the level of a calibrated monitor.