Digital BW, The Print

Here is my workflow as promised.

To produce a monochrome print at A3

There are obviously variations depending on particular hardware and software, so your workflow may differ.

Camera: Nikon Coolpix P7000, 10.1 Mp, 3748 x 2736 pixels, using RAW setting.
Printer: Epson Stylus Photo 2100
Ink: Epson UC inkset using Matte Black ink.
Print: Monochrome A3
Paper: Epson Archival Matte or Enhanced Matte
Resize software: PhotoZoom 4
Editing software: Picture Window Pro and Photoshop CS
Printing software: QTR

1.   Download the .NRW file to ViewNX 2 (Nikon's RAW file converter)
2.   Convert to 16 bit (48 bit) TIFF unedited and save to folder.
3.   Open the image in PWPro
4.   Crop as required
5.   Set Levels
6.   Convert to monochrome Using Transformation, Colour, Extract Channel, Red and
     Luminance. Transformation, Composite, Red for Input Image, Luminance for
     Overlay and Soft light Operation
7.   Save the result 
8.   Open the image in PhotoZoom 4 and using S-Spline Max set print size to fit 
     A3 paper and 720 dpi (Epson 2100 native resolution) and use Custom Preset,
     i.e. no Film grain, Sharpening or Artifact Reduction.  
9.   Save the result
10.  Open image in Photoshop CS
11.  Carry out adjustments using Shadow/Highlight (try 5% Shadow and Highlight,
     adjust o/all Brightness and Midrange contrast, probably leave contrast at
     default 10% (more for shadowless overcast days) and B&W clip to zero).
12.  Save the result
13.  Open image in PWPro.
14.  Carry out any sharpening using USM, say Amount 150% (100% +
     50%), Radius 3,Threshold 6, or Amount 100%, Radius 4, Threshold 6. 
15.  Save the result
16.  Open in QTR and use Quad2100 and two curves, UC-EEnhMatte-cool 60% and
     UC-EEnhMatte- warm 40%, dpi set at 1440 super and unidirectional. Make sure
     image fits paper 100% with no scaling - size the image correctly in
     PhotoZoom 4 before sending it to QTR.
17.  Print

Good Luck,

Mel

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "Mel" <chilterns@...> wrote:
>
> Asolutely agree John. I use the Epson UC inks as supplied with the 2100. I also use the UT2 inks in a 1290 and can't see any difference in print quality. I use 60% cool and 40% warm curves in QTR with the 2100 and the neutral tone with the 1290 to produce near identical prints. These are both printed on A3 Epson Enhanced Matte.
> 
> I will post my workflow later today. This seems to work for me although I am still learning.
> 
> Mel 
> 
> --- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "John" <jge@> wrote:
> >
> > 
> > So would it be fair to propose a concise answer to my question as:
> > 
> > The simplest thing to do would be to acquire the QTR driver and print
> > using your Epson OEM UltraChrome inks.   This has the advantage
> > that you can print color without reconfiguring the printer.    Because color
> > inks are blended to produce the various shades of grey, metamerism
> > is a risk.   It is unacceptable with the OEM Epson driver, but significantly
> > reduced, to a degree considered acceptable by many users, using QTR.
> > 
> > If you don't mind dedicating your 2200 to B&W work (or having to change
> > out ink cartridges and flush the system when you want to print color),
> > a better solution is to buy the UT7 ink set and print with either the Epson
> > driver or QTR.
> > 
> > John
> > 
> > 
> > > I've had an Epson 2200 for awhile for color printing. I would like to get into
> > > B&W printing.   Trying to read through the archives here, I am a bit overwhelmed
> > > with the choices; UT7, UT2, Eboni-6, etc.  Not to mention the variety of driver:
> > > Epson's, QTR, OPM.
> > > 
> > > So I'd like suggestions as to the best way for me to proceed towards getting
> > > good quality B&W prints.   I would like some balance of simplicity and quality.
> > > I do not think I want to get into filling my own cartridges or building my own
> > > profiles; and I do not have a densitometer.  I see the Epson 1400 highly
> > > spoken of in some of the threads, and given its surprising low cost, I would
> > > consider switching to it if the consensus is that it's worth it.
> >
>