Bill,
I also have the HP90r and still use a Canon i9900 which I feel is a very good
printer. Below are a few things you might try to correct the problems you are
having:
1. Use the "soft proof" in Photoshop CS2 before you print. It is not perfect
but at least it should get you in the ball park before doing the final pint.
You can "fine tune" your print on screen before doing the actual print. Be sure
to set up all the the correct configurations for using the soft proof feature.
2. Do you have your monitor calibrated? I believe the extra expense of
buying the monitor calibration hardware and software is well worth the
investment to help match what you see to what you actullay get on the print.
"Color Eyes Display" by Intregrated Color Corp. has a very good program out.
It is highly recommended on various websites like the Luminous Landscape.
3. As you mentioned some RIPs are very expenseive. An alternate choice might
be PrintFix Pro by Color Vision. Version 2 just came out a few weeks ago. I
have found the program to be excellent in printer calibration. It may not be
automated like some of the programs out there but it cost a lot less yet is
very powerful. Tech support from Color Vision I have found to be excellent .
Good luck,
Bill Dunlap
easternsierraphotography.com
