Xerox Phaser few concerns

[Loulow]

Still looking for help if anyone knows the answer.

[Loulow]

Thank, banding is just one of the many color problems I face with a Xerox machine so still looking for help with my original post.

[Joe Arseneau]

The following blurb is from an ACE co-worker.

- Never have a gradient go from 100 all the way to Zero....90-10 is ok.
- the more CMY and K the gradient is made up of, the less you will see the  "staircase"  effect.
- do not have the gradient travel a long distance with a smal change.
 
Normally gradients look like <redacted> on toner based output devices.  
 
If they are running 8.5x11, they can print SEF vs LEF and have different results due to the laser lines. 11x17, you have no choice.  
 
 If they have an ES-1000, gradients print much more smoothly than if they calibrate via ColorCal as the ES-1000 samples thousands of points therefore pulling the color between all those points smoothly. ColorCal only samples a few times therefore big blocks in the gradient happen

Remember that a printer uses 4 colors to make any color you need, which is near impossible to get color accuracy on a gradient that fades beyond 50%, if it needs to mix all 4 colors, or even 3 to make a dark blue, that has high opacity , it becomes impossible in a hurry.

This can be of some help on the design phase.

So can this

[Loulow]

Xerox Phaser 7400  Windows 7 64 bit - I'm trying to setup my work flow and test prints on plain office paper. I'm converting RGB pictures to CMYK US SWOP v2 via Photoshop 7 and saving as a PDF (JPEG encoding) with the CMYK profile embedded, I then open the PDF and print from there. 

I get strong banding in gradients e.g. yellow/green will graduate smoothly then step to dark green abruptly. Some Reds are very washed out. My main concerns at the moment are profile/color management and who/what is handling it. I think once I understand the flow I'll be better able to manage the colors I get on paper.

I see a lot of conflicting settings and I get different results wih each setup combination:

• Windows 7 Color Management >  Devices >  Xerox 7400 >  Use my settings / Auto / Manual
• Printer control panel >  TekColor >  None / SWOP / RGB etc.
• Driver properties >  Color options >  None / SWOP / RGB etc.
• Driver properties >  Advanced >  ICM Method >  Disabled / Handled by printer etc.
• Driver properties >  Advanced >  ICM Intent >  Proof / Graphics etc.
• PDF Advanced print setup >  Color management >  Let printer determine colors
• PDF Advanced print setup >  Print as image

I think I'd like to let Xerox/printer/Tekcolor handle the color as they know their limits and what the machine is made for so if you could help me with regards to the above settings that would be awesome. I can also remove the embedded color profile when saving as PDF from Photoshop if you think this is a problem.

Thanks for any help.