The method shown below gives the best results on my system when using the Epson Photo 12000 printer using Epson inks and Photographic quality paper (except for Colourlife, when its completely different) .
Epson have wisely produced a How To area for Photo printers on their web site [+]Expert area.
Owners of the Photo 1290 printer should however, also look at the Epson US web site when using colorlife paper, remembering that the 1290 over there is called the1280. If you do you will find a colorlife ICC profile for the 1280 and colorlife paper.
Do not expect the same results when using alternative makes of printer papers or inks.