Digital BW, The Print

"Homer Shannon" <remononaz@...> wrote:

>...

> My questions on UT-14 have to do with setting the brightness levels correctly. 

>I've read through the 1400 B&W Inkset UT-14 instructions and the Quadtone RIP instructions and confess my knowledge is not up to digesting all of that yet.

In general, with respect to the UT-14 inkset as well as most of the recent ones I've been involved with, I recommend using the Epson driver first, next learn to use simple ICCs made with QTR's Create ICC-RGB, and finally learning to use the full QTR rip.  I'd take one step at a time.

That's basically what I tried to set up in http://www.paulroark.com/BW-Info/UT14.pdf 

Start with the papers that are profiled, and next learn to make your own ICCs.  You'll probably be able to use the existing curves for a number of them, but you do need to learn how to linearize.  For this, the use of a flatbed has be made much easier by using QTR's Step Wedge Tool.  See http://www.quadtonerip.com/html/QTRdownload.html  This tool is a Photoshop action that automates the basic approach I'd outlined at http://www.paulroark.com/BW-Info/Making_B-W_ICCs-1.pdf and tried to simplify at http://www.paulroark.com/BW-Info/Making_B-W_ICCs-GrayCard.pdf  


> At this time I am just using the Epson settings (vivid, G2.2, etc.) for matte paper ...

If you're using UT14, that is a good place to start.

> and the Epson ICC CCK3-1400-EPptoPaperG with gloss papers. 

I have no idea what that ICC will do with UT14. With UT14 the black is generated by the M and C position inks. 

Are you using UT-14 inkset or some other?  

> ...
> I have done a set of 21-step gray scale photos, ...
> the neutral gray is not in the right position in the scale. To resolve this I have been modifying my images, ...


One reason I recommend the use of the Epson driver with ICCs is that, assuming they are used with the inkset and paper they were intended to work with, the image you see on a calibrated monitor should match the print.  Getting the monitor to match the print makes the entire process much easier, and ICCs are the industry standard way of doing this.  

Hope this helps.  There is a learning curve to making good B&W.

Paul
www.PaulRoark.com