Skip to main content

Troubleshooting Common Printing Issues in Capture One

Victor
  • Updated

Printing directly from Capture One gives you a powerful and color-managed workflow, but issues can occasionally arise. If you're experiencing problems with the Print dialog window or getting prints that don’t match expectations, follow this guide to resolve the most common issues.

Table of Contents

Issue 1: Print Dialog Doesn’t Open or Freezes

Symptoms:

  • Nothing happens after selecting File > Print...
  • Capture One becomes unresponsive when the Print dialog is opened

Troubleshooting Steps:

  1. Restart Capture One
    Close and reopen the app to clear memory cache.
  2. Check for OS Dialog Conflicts
    On macOS, ensure no hidden system prompts are blocking the dialog. Press Cmd + Tab to cycle through windows.
  3. Reset the application's preferences file
  4. Update Your Printer Driver
    Incompatible or outdated drivers can prevent the Print dialog from initializing.
    - macOS: Use System Settings > Printers & Scanners
    - Windows: Update via Control Panel > Devices and Printers
  5. Try a Different Printer
    See if the dialog works with another printer or “Save as PDF” to isolate the issue.

Issue 2: Incorrect Paper Size or Orientation

Symptoms:

  • Prints are cropped or off-center
  • Paper size reverts after setting it

Troubleshooting Steps:

  1. Set Paper Size in Both Places
    - In the Capture One Print dialog (File > Print), check the paper size under Layout.
    - In Printer Properties, click Printer... and confirm the correct paper size and orientation.
  2. Check Print Margins and Scaling
    - Disable Scale to Fit if you need true-to-size prints.
    - Ensure margins don’t cause unexpected cropping.
  3. Reset the application's preferences file

Issue 3: Color Mismatch Between Screen and Print

Symptoms:

  • Print colors look dull, washed out, or overly saturated

Troubleshooting Steps:

  1. Enable Color Management
    - In the Print dialog, choose the correct ICC Profile under Color Profile.
    - In the printer driver, disable printer-managed color adjustment (e.g., "No color correction" or "ColorSync").
  2. Check steps from Issue 4: Cannot Disable Printer Color Management (macOS)
  3. Use Soft Proofing
    Activate the Soft Proofing tool in Capture One to simulate your output profile: Proofing profiles
  4. Calibrate Your Monitor
    Use a hardware calibration device for accurate screen-to-print matching.
    Avoid editing on an uncalibrated display when printing accuracy matters.

Issue 4: Cannot Disable Printer Color Management (macOS)

Symptoms:

  • When clicking Print Settings to disable Color Management done by printer (so you can let Capture One manage the colors), you don't see ColorSync, and cannot disable color management this is also applies to these instances:
  • Colors look dull;
  • Media Type will show generic ICC paper profiles and not custom ones;
  • Borderless printing may not work;
  • Cannot center the image. 

  • Printer model is set to "Printer Model-AirPrint" and Driver version shows "2.0" or "3.0"

    This screenshot is the best way to know whether your printer has been taken over by AirPrint driver:


Fix:

You may need to remove the AirPrint driver and replace with the driver from your printer's manufacturer.

1. Install the native printer driver

You may need to install the manufacturer printer driver. To find the driver, go to the web and search for "Epson SC-P800 printer driver" or similar.

2. Add the Printer Using the Manufacturer Driver
For macOS 13 Ventura and newer:
Go to the Apple menu → System Settings → Printers & Scanners → Add Printer, Scanner…

For macOS 12 Monterey and earlier:
Go to System Preferences → Printers & Scanners → click +

3. Then follow these steps (applies to all macOS versions):

  • Select your printer from the list.
  • Expand the Use dropdown and choose Select Software… — not the manufacturer’s name that may already appear.
    Add Printer window
  • In the selection window, find and select the proper driver (from the one you installed).
  • Click OK, then Add.

If warned that the printer already exists, click Continue to confirm.

Once added, the dialog shows brand-specific media types instead of generic keywords

 

Issue 5: Capture One Doesn't Detect Installed Printer

Symptoms:

  • Printer does not appear in the dropdown list
  • Print button is greyed out

Troubleshooting Steps:

  1. Reconnect the Printer
    Disconnect and reconnect the printer (USB or network). Power cycle the printer and your computer.
  2. Reset the Print System (macOS)
    Go to System Settings > Printers & Scanners, right-click the printer, and select Reset printing system.

  3. Reinstall Printer Driver
    Download and install the latest driver from the printer manufacturer’s website.

Issue 6: Cannot Set Specific Resolution

Symptoms:
Resolution option in the Print dialog window is greyed saying "Not Available" or only has few options (i.e. "Automatic").

Troubleshooting steps:

Capture One reads the Resolution setting from printer driver, i.e. from the printer itself. Therefore, this is something that printer sends to Capture One, so if this setting is greyed out or only has few options, you may want to:

  1. Reset or reinstall printer driver
  2.  Reset printer to factory defaults
  3. Try another printer

General Tips and Best Practices

  • Keep Capture One up to date for best printer compatibility.
  • Test by printing exported TIFF or JPEG files if RAW files cause issues.
  • Try printing to PDF first to rule out driver problems.
  • Export TIFF and print it from another app.

🛠 Still Having Trouble?

If you're still encountering printing issues, please contact Capture One Support with:

  • Your operating system version
  • Capture One version
  • Printer model
  • Printer driver version
  • Paper/Printer ICC profile used
  • A screenshot or screen recording of the issue

Related articles