photo-printing

name	photo-printing
description	Print photos and image files from Alon's Linux system with correct CUPS/TurboPrint options, paper/media/tray selection, color-space handling, one-page test workflow, batching strategy, and printer troubleshooting. Use when printing PNG/JPEG/TIFF/PDF photos or photo layouts.
compatibility	Linux with CUPS. Includes known-good guidance for Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-300 via TurboPrint.

Photo Printing

Use this skill when the user wants to print photos, image files, or photo layouts from this system.

Principles

• Print one test page first before batching.
• Prefer printer-specific driver queue over generic driverless IPP for photo media.
• Match paper size, media type, and feed source between job and printer panel.
• Preserve source color space; for normal phone/camera PNG/JPEG output, assume sRGB unless evidence says otherwise.
• Avoid silent changes to resolution, scaling, orientation, or media profile. Ask or state exact change.
• For manual-feed photo paper, send pages one at a time unless user explicitly asks to queue multiple jobs.

Inspect available printers/options

lpstat -t
lpoptions -p <queue> -l

For TurboPrint queues, inspect useful photo options:

lpoptions -p <queue> -l | rg 'PageSize|MediaType|InputSlot|Resolution|ColorModel|zedoColorspace|Intent'

Known Canon PRO-300 setup

Working photo queue:

Pro300-TurboPrint

Prefer this queue for photo paper. Avoid relying on these for serious photo printing:

• Canon_PRO_300_series: cups-browsed implicit class; previously stuck with NO_DEST_FOUND.
• Canon_PRO_300_direct: driverless IPP; media mapping too generic for Canon photo papers.

Known useful TurboPrint options for PRO-300:

PageSize=Letter | A4 | ...
MediaType=CanonPhotoPlusGloss-Semigloss_3
InputSlot=ManualFeed | TopFeed
Resolution=600x600dpi | 601x600dpi | 602x600dpi
ColorModel=RGB
zedoColorspace=5   # sRGB
orientation-requested=4   # landscape
orientation-requested=3   # portrait
print-scaling=none

CanonPhotoPlusGloss-Semigloss_3 matched Canon Photo Paper Plus Semi-gloss better than generic driverless Photographic.

Build a print command

Start from these decisions:

1. Queue: usually Pro300-TurboPrint for PRO-300 photos.
2. File path(s): user-provided image/PDF.
3. Paper size: Letter, A4, etc.
4. Media type: exact paper when available.
5. Feed source: ManualFeed or TopFeed.
6. Orientation: portrait or landscape.
7. Scaling: usually none for pre-sized layouts; use fit only if user wants fit-to-page.
8. Color space: use sRGB (zedoColorspace=5) for standard PNG/JPEG unless source/profile says otherwise.

Example for a landscape Letter photo layout on Canon Photo Paper Plus Semi-gloss via manual feed:

lp -d Pro300-TurboPrint \
  -o PageSize=Letter \
  -o MediaType=CanonPhotoPlusGloss-Semigloss_3 \
  -o InputSlot=ManualFeed \
  -o Resolution=600x600dpi \
  -o ColorModel=RGB \
  -o zedoColorspace=5 \
  -o orientation-requested=4 \
  -o print-scaling=none \
  /path/to/image-or-layout.png

Do not treat this as universal. Adjust paper, media, feed, orientation, and scaling to user’s job.

One-page manual-feed workflow

For manual feed:

1. Confirm settings in words: queue, paper, media, feed, orientation, scaling.
2. Send one page with lp.
3. Report job id from command output.
4. User loads sheet / confirms output.
5. Only then send next page.

Check queue:

lpstat -o
lpstat -p <queue> -l

Cancel if needed:

cancel <job-id>
cancel -a <queue>

Batch workflow

Only batch after one good test print.

For auto-feed or user-approved queueing:

lp -d <queue> [options...] file1.png file2.png file3.png

For manual-feed safety, prefer interactive loop in shell, not a saved script:

for f in /path/to/pages/*.png; do
  lp -d <queue> [options...] "$f"
  read -p "Load next sheet, press Enter to continue: "
done

Color troubleshooting

If colors look wrong:

1. Verify color space option. For TurboPrint + normal sRGB images:

-o zedoColorspace=5

2. Verify media type matches paper.
3. Verify color mode is RGB, not Gray or proof mode:

-o ColorModel=RGB

4. If blues/cyans are bad, banded, missing, or shifted:

   • run nozzle check
   • inspect cyan / photo cyan / magenta / blue channels
   • clean only if nozzle check shows issue

5. If quality is low but colors correct, discuss resolution before changing:

   • 600x600dpi normal/medium
   • 601x600dpi high/1200dpi
   • 602x600dpi super/1200dpi super

Paper mismatch troubleshooting

Error 2114 on Canon means job media/size/source does not match printer-registered paper.

Fix order:

1. Confirm printer panel registered paper for the selected feed source.
2. Confirm CUPS job options match: size, media type, input slot.
3. Use TurboPrint queue if driverless queue lacks exact media.
4. As last resort, disable printer panel Detect paper setting mismatch.

Do not lie about media type unless user accepts color/ink risk.

Feed troubleshooting

If printer fails to load paper:

• Stop resending repeated jobs.
• Ask user to verify physical loading:
  • one sheet only for manual feed
  • printable side correct
  • guides snug, not tight
  • paper flat, not curled
  • rear support/output tray open
  • correct tray selected on printer and in job

If job says top feed while trying manual feed, driver/queue ignored feed option. Switch to printer-specific queue (e.g. TurboPrint for PRO-300) and use exact InputSlot value from lpoptions -l.

Layout/image sanity checks before printing

Use ImageMagick when available:

magick identify -format '%f %m %[colorspace] %[type] %wx%h %x %y %[units]\n' file.png

Check:

• pixel size matches intended print size and DPI
• colorspace is sRGB/TrueColor for normal color photos
• layout orientation matches print command
• no accidental grayscale conversion
• no unexpected scaling/cropping