Canon has developed a plug-in for adobe Photoshop that provides a direct link to the iPF8100. The iPF8100 brochure describes as:
“Print Plug-ins for Adobe Photoshop and
Digital Photo Professional support high-bit
depth workflows and 16-bit image processing
to virtually eliminate problems such as
posterization and banding”
While I have not yet worked with any 16 bit image needs, I have found the plug-in to be very useful.
The plug-in provides for an export feature to the Canon print driver though to a different interface. This interface is designed with photography and wide format printing needs in mind. For example taking photos and maximizing them to the roll paper dimensions.
We took a photo changed its resolution from 72 dpi to 180 dpi (a resolution common to use in wide format printing) using the image size function in Photoshop with bicubic resampling of the image. Then we exported the image to the Canon plug-in (under the File menu in Photoshop under Export).
After a moment of data exporting the plug-in window opens to a window with 5 tab settings: Main, Page Setup, Color Settings, Print History & Support.
Under “Main” we set our media type. We used Glossy Photographic roll paper in 44 inch width. We set an output profile to match the paper and chose a print mode; the options include Standard, High & High (High Precision) - essentially each option gets progressively better results, we did 2 prints one each in standard and High with no visually noticeable differences to the naked eye - however the Standard print used considerably less ink.
Next under “Page Setup” we chose Enlarged/Reduced Printing and selected “Fit Roll Paper Width” this enlarged the image we were printing to fit the width of the roll paper (we essentially printed a 43 in x 58 inch print). You can also choose portrait or landscape orientation options depending on the photo you are printing. there is also an option for borderless printing if your job requires it.
We have left the “Color Settings” options to their default settings. And under the “Print History” tab there is useful information and options to print information about the job. And of course under the “Support” tab there are options to consult the user manual or access the Canon website support page (this is very handy to have at your fingertips).
Overall the plug-in has provided excellent results so far and made it far easier to fit photos to roll paper margins. Also, the print dialog I find is easier to use then the standard print dialog you would work with using the standard print menu item instead of the export function.
