Expert: Amy - 3/22/2007

Question
QUESTION: I am trying to print to a Canon Color copier (ir3220) but only get black & white printouts.  I did not have this problem with Illustrator 10 but once I upgraded my color jobs come out b/w and I cannot seem to resolve the issue.

Is my installation corrupt in some way?  Are they PPD files for this model that can be used in Illustrator?

Thanks.

Michael
ANSWER: Hi Michael.

Sure, you can use the Adobe Acrobat or Distiller PPDs or the Generic Color PPD that comes with Microsoft Office or used to, anyway! But I'd try this Canon PPD package:
http://www.adobe.com/support/downloads/detail.jsp?ftpID=385

(That's a link to the windows version - the mac versions are up there, too).

Also, of course, go though your printer setup and look for the obvious things and also go through the list of options that appears on the left side of the Print Dialog Box and turn off any color management stuff.

I doubt your install is corrupt. But you might try throwing your Preferences away. (Quit AI, locate AIprefs file on your computer and toss it, then Start AI again).

I suppose you've made sure that other applications can print to the Canon in color just fine, right, so you know it's not the printer.

I hope something in here works.  Let me know, okay?

Amy Pace

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks for the suggestions.  I will delete the preferences file and also point AI to that Microsoft Office 2003 PPD which does exist.

In answer to your question.  Yes, the Canon Color device works fine as far as printing color.  Just for grins, I installed AI (version 10 and CS2) and both printed color jobs without any issues.  

This is definitely specific to this one user who is, of course, the graphics designer always on a time crunch ;-)

I will pass this along to her and see if she can test this next time she is in AI.  If it works, I will let you know.

Thanks for the fast response.  

Michael

Answer
Ooh, yes, we graphic designers are very needy people!
And our stuff always breaks when we need it most. Mostly because we are rushed and mess up some settings without realizing it.

There are at least THREE places between Illustrator and the printer where you can switch the color mode to grayscale! I've got my bets that it's some setting in the Canon driver.

Good luck!
Amy