How to Profile Other Commercially –available Paper HP Designjet Z2100 and Z3100 Photo Printer Series
Technical Newsletter:
How to Profile Other Commercially
available Paper
HP Designjet Z2100 & Z3100 Photo Printer
Series
Updated for 6.0.0.8 firmware version
November, 2007
The large-format HP Designjet Z2100 and Z3100 Photo printers are designed to deliver highquality, consistent results across a wide variety of Original HP printing material and other
commercially-available paper. To ensure optimal results, Original HP large-format printing
material is uniquely engineered and tested together with HP 70 Vivera pigment inks and the
printer. Scientific innovation goes into the development of Original HP printing material. For
example, HP devotes about two years into developing a new photo paper, which can require four
to ten revisions using up to 15 ingredients per formulation.
Careful engineering and testing of the entire system of HP printing material, Vivera pigment inks
and the printer enable HP to deliver outstanding image quality and exceptional fade resistance.
Prints resist fading for more than 200 years and are water-resistant on a range of HP creative and
specialty papers.1 For more information on Original HP printing material, designed together with
the HP Designjet Z2100 and Z3100 Photo Printer series, visit:
www.hp.com/go/designjet/supplies and www.hp.com/go/supplies/printpermanence
For flexibility and versatility, customers can choose from over 35 Original HP printing materials, or
other commercially-available paper.
This document provides a quick reference guide to help users manage and work with other
commercially-available paper for the HP Designjet Z2100 and Z3100 Photo Printer series.
Display permanence rating by Wilhelm Imaging Research, Inc. on a range of HP creative and specialty paper. For
details: www.hp.com/go/supplies/printpermanence
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How to Profile Other Commercially –available Paper HP Designjet Z2100 and Z3100 Photo Printer Series
This document contains information according to the following table of contents:
•
•
Introduction: Using other commercially-available paper correctly with the HP Designjet
Z2100 and Z3100 Photo Printer series
Case Studies for Working with Other Commercially-available Paper. Includes steps for
Macintosh and Windows users, for each case.
o Case 1: Recommended paper profile for your current firmware version and I would
like to create an ICC profile with the HP Color Center
o Case 2: Recommended paper profile for your current firmware version and I
already have an ICC profile for my paper
o Case 3: Recommended paper profile can be found in the HP Knowledge Center
and I would like to create an ICC profile with the HP Color Center
o Case 4: Recommended paper profile can be found in the HP Knowledge Center
and I already have an ICC profile for my paper. )
Important recommendations:
How to avoid problems when adding a new paper (other commercially-available
paper) when using HP Printer Utility on the Windows platform.
o
How to work with different types of papers based on the same “Custom Paper
Type”.
o How to use the same paper preset downloaded from the HP Knowledge Center
(“Custom Paper Type”) for two or more papers
o How to download the latest available firmware and drivers
o How to get the most up-to-date information about Original HP printing material.
o
Commercially-available Paper and Recommended Paper Settings
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How to Profile Other Commercially –available Paper HP Designjet Z2100 and Z3100 Photo Printer Series
Introduction
Using other commercially-available paper types correctly with the HP Designjet
Z2100 and Z3100 Photo Printer series
The large-format HP Designjet Z2100 and Z3100 Photo Printer series is designed to deliver highquality, consistent results across a wide variety of commercially-available paper. Since there is a
wide choice of brands and paper, it’s best to understand what’s behind the selections when
following the procedure of creating a custom paper setting.
To achieve optimal color accuracy, it is important to select the correct paper preset, then calibrate
and profile the paper. For guidance, see Table 1: Other Commercially-available Paper and
Recommended Paper Settings in “Working with Other Commercially-available Paper” document,
that you can find in :
For the HP
Designjet Z3100
Photo Printer series
For the HP
Designjet Z2100
Photo Printer series
http://www.hp.com/go/knowledge_center/djz3100
http://www.hp.com/go/knowledge_center/djz2100
It is also possible to calibrate and use a 3rd party ICC profile instead of creating one with the HP
Embedded Spectrophotometer.
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How to Profile Other Commercially –available Paper HP Designjet Z2100 and Z3100 Photo Printer Series
Case Studies for Working with Other Commercially-available Paper
To guide this process, step-by-step descriptions of four possible scenarios are provided.
Case 1: Recommended paper profile is in the Firmware version and I would like
to create an ICC profile with the HP Color Center
Case 2: Recommended paper profile is in the Firmware version and I already
have an ICC profile for my paper
Case 3: Recommended paper profile can be found in the HP Knowledge Center
and I would like to create an ICC profile with the HP Color Center
Case 4: Recommended paper profile can be found in the HP Knowledge Center
and I already have an ICC profile for my paper
Step by step instructions provided based on case and operating system.
Note: If your printer system utility software version is:
•
•
For Windows: HP Easy Printer Care < version 2.0
For Mac: HP Print Utility < version 2.5
You have to either upgrade to the latest version or change the paper type in the front panel before
performing a paper calibration and/or profiling.
Case 1 : Recommended paper preset is in the Firmware version
I would like to create an ICC profile with the HP Color Center
Steps for Macintosh users:
1. Select your Paper Type from Front Panel. See table “NON-HP PAPERS & PAPER
SETTINGS RECOMMENDED” (see document “Working with non HP Paper”)
2. Go Color Center and select “Create and Install ICC Profile” There you will find the
following options
Screenshot from HP Print
Utility - MAC OS X version
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How to Profile Other Commercially –available Paper HP Designjet Z2100 and Z3100 Photo Printer Series
3. Select “Add New Paper.”
4. Create a name for your paper (which will be displayed in the driver and in the front panel)
and select a paper category which is similar to the type of paper you have.
Screenshot from Mac
OS X version – HP Print
Utility
5. The next step is selecting the appropriate Paper Preset. Just select the same entry
as shown in “Front Panel & Driver selection” see document “Working with non HP paper”.
This is the most important step, since you are in fact determining a number of basic
parameters for printer-paper interaction. Among others, these include: ink limiting,
maximum density and color transition linearity thresholds, and the distance between the
carriage and the paper (carriage height). You can adjust these for your particular print
paper by selecting the applicable paper type.
6. The printer will then perform the color calibration (maximum density and linearity for each
ink) and color profiling (creating an ICC profile) for your custom paper, which will ensure
the best possible output quality.
7. Lastly, the HP Color Center will automatically install the profile in the computer that has
launched the process. If you are using your printer from another computer, remember to
synchronize papers before moving forward. The process is now complete.
Steps for Windows users:
1. Select your Paper Type from Front Panel. “NON-HP PAPERS & PAPER SETTINGS
RECOMMENDED” (see document “Working with non HP Paper”)
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How to Profile Other Commercially –available Paper HP Designjet Z2100 and Z3100 Photo Printer Series
2. Open Easy Printer Care, select “Create and Install ICC Profile” There you will find the
following options
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How to Profile Other Commercially –available Paper HP Designjet Z2100 and Z3100 Photo Printer Series
3. Then, select “Add New Paper.”
4. Create a name for your paper (which will appear both in the driver and in the front
panel) and to select a paper category that is similar to the type of paper you have.
5. The next step is selecting the appropriate Paper Preset. This is the most
important step, since you are in fact determining a number of basic parameters for
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How to Profile Other Commercially –available Paper HP Designjet Z2100 and Z3100 Photo Printer Series
printer-paper interaction. Among others, these include: ink limiting, maximum density
and color transition linearity thresholds, and the distance between the carriage and the
paper (carriage height). You can adjust these for your particular print paper by
selecting the applicable paper type.
6. The printer will then perform the color calibration (maximum density and linearity for
each ink) and color profiling (creating an ICC profile) for your custom paper, which will
ensure the best possible output quality.
7. Lastly, the HP Color Center will automatically install the profile in the computer that has
launched the process. If you are using your printer from another computer, remember
to synchronize papers before moving forward. The process is now complete.
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How to Profile Other Commercially –available Paper HP Designjet Z2100 and Z3100 Photo Printer Series
Case 2: Recommended paper preset is in the Firmware version
I already have an ICC profile for my paper
Steps for Macintosh users:
1. Select your Paper Type from Front Panel. “NON-HP PAPERS & PAPER SETTINGS
RECOMMENDED” (see document “Working with non HP Paper”)
2. Go Color Center and select “Install ICC Profile”, select the Install button. There you will
find the following options
3. Use the browser below to use your personal ICC profile, select the Choose button.
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How to Profile Other Commercially –available Paper HP Designjet Z2100 and Z3100 Photo Printer Series
4. In the next window, select the “Add a new paper” option to create a new paper with
your personal ICC profile.
5. Create a name for your paper (which will be displayed both in the driver and in the
front panel) and select a paper category that is similar to the type of paper you have.
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How to Profile Other Commercially –available Paper HP Designjet Z2100 and Z3100 Photo Printer Series
6. Check your ICC profile settings.
7. The printer will then perform the color calibration for your custom paper (maximum
density and linearity for each ink) , which will ensure the best possible output quality.
8. Lastly, the HP Color Center will automatically install the profile in the computer that has
launched the process. If you are using your printer from another computer, remember
to synchronize papers before moving forward. The process is now complete.
Steps for Windows users:
1. Select your Paper Type from Front Panel. “NON-HP PAPERS & PAPER SETTINGS
RECOMMENDED” (see document “Working with non HP Paper”)
2. Open HP Printer Utility, select “Install ICC Profile”. There you will find the following
options.
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How to Profile Other Commercially –available Paper HP Designjet Z2100 and Z3100 Photo Printer Series
3. Then Select “Add New Paper” and use the browser below to use your personal ICC
profile.
4. Create a name for your paper (which will be displayed both in the driver and in the
front panel) and to select a paper category that is similar to the type of paper you have.
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How to Profile Other Commercially –available Paper HP Designjet Z2100 and Z3100 Photo Printer Series
8. The next step is selecting the appropriate Paper Preset. Just select the same entry
as shown in “Front Panel & Driver selection” (see document “Working with non HP Paper”).
This is the most important step, since you are in fact determining a number of basic
parameters for printer-paper interaction. Among others, these include: ink limiting,
maximum density and color transition linearity thresholds, and the distance between the
carriage and the paper (carriage height). You can adjust these for your particular print
paper by selecting the applicable paper type.
9. The printer will then perform the color calibration for your custom paper (maximum density
and linearity for each ink), which will ensure the best possible output quality.
10. Lastly, the HP Color Center will automatically install the profile in the computer that has
launched the process. If you are using your printer from another computer, remember to
synchronize papers before moving forward. The process is now complete.
Case 3: Recommended paper preset is in the HP Knowledge Center
I would like to create an ICC profile with the HP Color Center
Steps for Macintosh users:
1. Download the Paper Preset from HP Knowledge Center website
2. Save the Paper Preset file to your computer.
3. Go to the Color Center and select “Download Firmware”. Then select the Start button.
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How to Profile Other Commercially –available Paper HP Designjet Z2100 and Z3100 Photo Printer Series
4. Use the browser to search and install your downloaded paper preset. Select the Update
button. Your front panel will display the updating process. When your printer is updated,
your printer will restart automatically.
5. Synchronize your computer with your printer.
6. Go to “Create and Install ICC Profiles”.
7. Select “Current Paper” and choose the paper that you need, and select the paper
category. This step is selecting the appropriate Paper Preset. This is the most
important step, since you are in fact determining a number of basic parameters for
printer-paper interaction. Among others, these include: ink limiting, maximum density
and color transition linearity thresholds, and the distance between the carriage and the
paper (carriage height). You can adjust these for your particular print paper by selecting
the applicable paper type.
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How to Profile Other Commercially –available Paper HP Designjet Z2100 and Z3100 Photo Printer Series
8. The printer will then perform the color calibration (maximum density and linearity for
each ink) and color profiling (creating an ICC profile) for your custom paper, which will
ensure the best possible output quality.
9. Lastly, the HP Color Center will automatically install the profile in the computer that has
launched the process. If you are using your printer from another computer, remember to
synchronize papers before moving forward. The process is now complete.
Steps for Windows users:
1. Download the Paper Preset from HP Knowledge Center website.
2. Save the Paper Preset file to your computer.
3. Open HP Printer Utility, go, and select “Support”. There you will find the following
options.
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How to Profile Other Commercially –available Paper HP Designjet Z2100 and Z3100 Photo Printer Series
4. Then Select “Firmware Update” option.
5. Select “Paper profile update”. Use the browser to select the paper preset file from your
computer, and select it to update. The front panel will display the updating process.
When your printer is updated, your printer restarts automatically.
6. Synchronize your printer with the HP Printer Utility refresh button. Now your new paper
presets appear in Front Panel, inside the Custom category.
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How to Profile Other Commercially –available Paper HP Designjet Z2100 and Z3100 Photo Printer Series
7. Open HP Printer Utility, and select “Create and Install”. There you will find the following
options.
8. Select “Current Papers”, inside custom category select the paper preset that you
downloaded previously.
9. The next step is selecting the appropriate Paper Preset. Just select the same entry
as shown in “Front Panel & Driver selection” (see document “Working with non HP Paper”).
This is the most important step, since you are in fact determining a number of basic
parameters for printer-paper interaction. Among others, these include: ink limiting, maximum
density and color transition linearity thresholds, and the distance between the carriage and the
paper (carriage height). You can adjust these for your particular print paper by selecting the
applicable paper type.
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How to Profile Other Commercially –available Paper HP Designjet Z2100 and Z3100 Photo Printer Series
10. The printer will then perform the color calibration (maximum density and linearity for each
ink) and color profiling (creating an ICC profile) for your custom paper, which will ensure the
best possible output quality.
11. Lastly, the HP Color Center will automatically install the profile in the computer that has
launched the process. If you are using your printer from another computer, remember to
synchronize papers before moving forward. The process is now complete.
Case 4: Recommended paper preset is in the HP Knowledge Center
I already have an ICC profile for my paper
Steps for Macintosh users:
1. Follow the steps 1 to 6 from page 11.
2. Select your Paper Type from Front Panel.
3. Go to the Color Center and select “Install ICC Profile” , select the Install button. There you
will find the following options
4. Select “Current Paper” and choose the paper that you need, and select the paper category.
This step is selecting the appropriate Paper Preset. This is the most important
step, since you are in fact determining a number of basic parameters for printer-paper
interaction. Among others, these include: ink limiting, maximum density and color
transition linearity thresholds, and the distance between the carriage and the paper
(carriage height). You can adjust these for your particular print paper by selecting the
applicable paper type.
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How to Profile Other Commercially –available Paper HP Designjet Z2100 and Z3100 Photo Printer Series
5. The next step is selecting the appropriate Paper Preset. Just select the same entry
as shown in “Front Panel & Driver selection” (see document “Working with non HP Paper”).
This is the most important step, since you are in fact determining a number of basic
parameters for printer-paper interaction. Among others, these include: ink limiting,
maximum density and color transition linearity thresholds, and the distance between the
carriage and the paper (carriage height). You can adjust these for your particular print
paper by selecting the applicable paper type.
6. The printer will then perform the color calibration for your custom paper (maximum density
and linearity for each ink), which will ensure the best possible output quality.
7. Lastly, the HP Color Center will automatically install the profile in the computer that has
launched the process. If you are using your printer from another computer, remember to
synchronize papers before moving forward. The process is now complete.
Steps for Windows users:
1. Follow the steps 1 to 6 from page 13.
2. Select your Paper Type from Front Panel.
3. Open HP Printer Utility, and select “Install ICC Profile”. There you will find the following
options.
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How to Profile Other Commercially –available Paper HP Designjet Z2100 and Z3100 Photo Printer Series
4. Select “Current Paper” and use the browser shown below to use your personal ICC profile.
5. The next step is selecting the appropriate Paper Preset. Just select the same entry
as shown in “Front Panel & Driver selection” (see document “Working with non HP Paper”).
This is the most important step, since you are in fact determining a number of basic
parameters for printer-paper interaction. Among others, these include: ink limiting,
maximum density and color transition linearity thresholds, and the distance between the
carriage and the paper (carriage height). You can adjust these for your particular print
paper by selecting the applicable paper type.
6. The printer will then perform the color calibration for your custom paper (maximum density
and linearity for each ink), which will ensure the best possible output quality.
7. Lastly, the HP Color Center will automatically install the profile in the computer that has
launched the process. If you are using your printer from another computer, remember to
synchronize papers before moving forward. The process is now complete.
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How to Profile Other Commercially –available Paper HP Designjet Z2100 and Z3100 Photo Printer Series
Important Recommendations
How to avoid problems when adding a new paper (other
commercially-available paper) when using HP Printer Utility on the
Windows platform.
Please note that when using HP Printer Utility on the Windows platform, due to driver architecture,
it is possible to force an incorrect selection in step #3 by choosing the option “Add a new paper”
and selecting a paper listed under the "Custom" category.
This is NOT recommended, since once the ICC profile has been made, the results will not be as
good as expected and colors will not be accurate.
This problem can be avoided by selecting a paper in one of the following paper categories:
•
•
•
•
•
•
"
"
"
"
"
"
Bond and Coated Paper "
Photo Paper "
Proofing Paper"
Fine Art Material "
Banner and Sign Material "
Self-adhesive Material "
How to work with different types of papers based on the same
“Custom Paper Type”
In same cases, customers prefer to download a paper profile found under “Custom Paper Type”
and test the behavior of this profile with different types of papers. As noted above, adding a new
paper using the “Custom” category can result in ICC profile issues. To avoid these issues:
1. Load all papers with the same customer paper type previously added (available from the Front
Panel), under “Custom Paper Types.”
2. Note that although all the papers are under the same option in the printer, it is possible to
generate a different ICC profile for each paper and save it with a different name (such as the
manufacturer’s name).
3. When using one of these papers, load and select it from the name displayed on the front
panel, then launch a Color Calibration (it will be different for every type of paper and it is
important to do so every time the paper is changed).
4. Finally, when printing, select the correct ICC profile by using Photoshop and selecting the
following options:
•
•
•
Choose “Color Management : Application Managed Colors”
For Printer Profile: enter the name of the ICC profile associated with the paper
In the driver:
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How to Profile Other Commercially –available Paper HP Designjet Z2100 and Z3100 Photo Printer Series
•
•
Choose “Color Management : Application Managed Colors”
Select the custom paper that is in the front panel
How to use the same Paper Preset downloaded from the HP
Knowledge Center (“Custom Paper Type”) for two or more
papers
Part 1: Creating the ICC profiles
For the first paper, follow the steps from Case 3. For the remaining papers, perform a Manual
Calibration from the printer's Front Panel or from the HP Printer Utility.
This process generates an ICC profile for each different paper that uses the same Paper Profile.
Part 2: Using the ICC profiles
Each time a paper is loaded that uses the same paper profile as another, a manual calibration
should be performed, either from the printer's Front Panel or the HP Printer Utility.Then print as
usual using the ICC profile created in Part 1 for that paper.
How to download the latest available firmware and drivers
Go to HP Knowledge Center at:
• For HP Designjet Z3100: http://www.hp.com/go/knowledge_center/djz3100
• For HP Designjet Z2100: http://www.hp.com/go/knowledge_center/djz2100
On the upper, right-hand side of the page (in the orange box), click on the “Drivers, software
and firmware” tab.
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How to Profile Other Commercially –available Paper HP Designjet Z2100 and Z3100 Photo Printer Series
How to get the most up-to-date information about Original
HP printing material
HP printing material is a critical component of the HP Designjet printing system. HP Designjet
printers, ink cartridges, Vivera pigment inks and printing material are engineered as a single,
complete printing system to ensure flawless compatibility and optimum performance. Together with
HP Designjet printers and printing supplies, HP large-format printing material is precisely
engineered to provide consistently outstanding image quality and exceptional fade resistance2,
delivering the printing system reliability expected from HP.
This commitment leads to outstanding print quality and consistency from roll to roll.
For the best value, customers currently using other commercially-available paper should consider
trying Original HP printing material. Reliable performance and results ultimately save time and
money.
For the most up-to-date information about Original HP printing material, designed to work better
together with your HP Designjet Z2100 and Z3100 Photo Printer series, visit:
www.hp.com/go/designjet/supplies .
© 2007 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. The information contained herein is subject to change without notice. The only
warranties for HP products and services are set forth in the express warranty statements accompanying such products and services. Nothing
herein should be construed as constituting an additional warranty. HP shall not be liable for technical or editorial errors or omissions
contained herein.
Display permanence rating by Wilhelm Imaging Research, Inc. on a range of HP creative and specialty paper. For
details: www.hp.com/go/supplies/printpermanence.
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