Printing from different programs

[ReenaG]

This is the story:

I am using a Canon MX860 (gives me great prints!) I have only printed 4x6's at this point but that is besides the point.

I am using a MacBook Pro and I can print from Picasa and get a print that looks just like monitor and one that I am happy with.

I can export that picture (from Picasa), open it with the 'preview' program and print, and get a print just like on my monitor, one that I am happy with.

I use PhotoShop Elements and go through the print menu and get a print that is more washed out and/or the colors are just a bit off. I have tried it both ways, printer managed and program managed. I can see the difference in the prints from the one printed with the other programs. It is slight but I don't like them

What else can I try? Any other avenues to try for color management with the printing? yes of course the obvious would be then just print from those two programs but things like this bug me and I want to figure out WHY it is different....

Thanks!

[OsmosisStudios]

Picasa and Photoshop might be using a different colour profile. Where do you do the majority of your editing? If its Photoshop, calibrate everything for that.

[teaking]

What profile was your picture shot in and what profile has the other programs used?

For example your camera maybe JPG and the profile attached could be sRGB the profile in the program could be sRGB. But in photoshop it could be aRGB this could cause colour issues. It may not be this but it is worth checking all your profiles and colour spaces are correct as Os pointed out.

[ReenaG]

thanks! I will for sure check those things out. never realized there were so many in/outs about printing!