GIMP Version: 2.8.16
Operating System: Windows
OS Version: VISTA SP2
GIMP Experience: Basic Level

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I have noticed that printed images which I have drawn in The GIMP's RGB Color Space, or even a jpg exported version, don't have the quality that printing the exported jpg version with Windows Photo Gallery produces. The problem with Photo Gallery is that it resizes the printed image and offers very little sizing control options and, for me, sizing is crucial. I have already painstakingly sized the images in GIMP & don't want to do it all over again so, the best solution for me is to emulate the print quality of Photo Gallery.

I have done alot of research & experimentation to try & get GIMP to print like Photo Gallery but, to no avail. I understand that in Windows VISTA, Photo Gallery uses the Windows Color Management System (WCMS) to print images whereas other programs, like Microsoft Paint, do not use the WCMS for printing.

I have configured GIMP's Color Management Profiles as follows:
Mode of Operation = Color Managed Display &/or“Print Simulation”
Monitor Profile = For my AOC 2060W Monitor this is 2060W.icm with the “Try to use the system monitor profile” checkbox checked.
RGB Profile = sRGB Color Space Profile.icm (Displays as IEC 61966-2.1 Default RGB colour space – sRGB)
CMYK Profile = None
Print Simulation Profile = RSWOP.icm (Displays as Agfa : Swop Standard)

Other relative specifics:
Operating System = Windows VISTA SP 2
GIMP Version = 2.8.16

Is there anyway to make GIMP print with the color detail & sharpness of Photo Gallery? Or, is there a way I can enter the WCS Profile that Photo Gallery uses into GIMP's Color Management Preferences?

Lastly, how do you remove a Color Management (.icm) Profile from GIMP's Preferences?

Any help would be appreciated & thanks.
Lenny

There are a few things you can check, to be sure you get the best from you images when printing.

Gimp by default sets the X and Y resolution of any given canvas to 72.000 DPI, which isn't very good when printing.
Setting this to about 300.000 should help.

Also, check that the Quality Interpolation is set to Cubic.
Cubic produces the best results, but is a little slow.

Thanks for the fast reply & the welcome.

I do create all new images which I intend to print in 300 x 300 dpi. But, where do I find Quality Interpolation = Cubic? I have checked CM & Display Preferences, Display Filters, Export to jpg & simulated a printout but, I can't find it anywhwere.

Seems like I have seen it somewhere but I just can't remember where.

Yup, it's set to Cubic. Thanks again Wallace.

Lenny, When you get some time I suggest a visit to the Nine Degrees Below website. It has excellent Gimp Color Management info like, What is embedded color profile information and much more. When you're happy with your color management setup in Gimp consider exporting as PDF and print using Adobe Acrobat print options or if you have Scribus use it for printing.

Irfanview will manage your pictures. The bigger the better. I printed many photos from it and only had to change the paper size and paper type in the printer settings from Irfanview. It does the rest.

There are better options for printing images from windows.

As suggested, try Infranview, or Faststone.

-Rob A>

Thanks to you all for the great tips. I have done some Color Saturation and Sharpness adjustments to my drawings and I am now getting better prints straight from GIMP. Although the actual printed image still looks slightly different on paper than what is displayed on my screen in Print Simulation Mode.

Odinbc - I have been to Five Degrees Below before and, you're right, there is a wealth of CM Info there but, I need to start from the beginning because most of it reads like a foreign language to me at this rookie stage of CM.

sallyanne & RobA - Thanks for bringing those options to my attention. I will definitely check them out.

So, does anyone know how to remove a Color Management (.icm) Profile from GIMP's Preferences? I accidentally added the same profile twice and would like to remove the duplicate from GIMP's Preferences. It should be, and may be, something simple but I can't seem to find it.

Thanks again everyone