Digital BW, The Print

Andr\ufffd,

>What's exactly the purpose of this software? ...

A RIP gives better control of the inks and can do things the Photoshop image
adjustment curves cannot do.  Independent control of all ink positions --
most notably the black ink -- is a big advantage.

Frankly, I see the Photoshop curves as a great way to get started.  If one
is really into printing, then the advantages of a good RIP probably make it
worth paying for.

> I ordered the variable mix inks, to print on EAM. How these inks
>compare to this new, full spectrum inks everybody is talking about?

The MIS Full Spectrum (FS) quads are compatible with the Piezo driver.
There is a large base of users that like the Piezo system, but would like
alternative inks.  There are also Photoshop curves that allow quad printers
(not hextone printers) to use the FS inks without the Piezo driver.

The standard FS inkset is like Piezo ink, but less warm.  The new FS-Neutral
is hair cool, but not as cool as the vm-nc curves.  It comes close to the
lightly-toned-selenium silver-print tone.  (It will also warm less than
other quads.)

The VM-Sepia uses the FS-N inks in its gray ink positions.  You might note
the large post I made about the tones I was able to get with my 3000 using
the VM-Sepia inkset.  Going from a selenium-toned silver-print tone to a
sepia print with a single inkset is range that might appeal to a lot of
people.

The basic MIS VM curves work OK with the vm-sepia inkset, but I'm finding
that fine tuning will help a lot.  Given my current overload of work,
however, users should not expect me to do that fine tuning for printers I
don't have.

In short, those who are not familiar with Photoshop adjustment curves might
want to stick to the standard MIS VM inkset (or go with MIS FS inks and the
Piezo driver or available curves for quadtone printers).  I expect MIS will
only sell the VM-Sepia in bulk and may not put it on it's website.  MIS is,
understandably, concerned about the proliferation of inks and the confusion
it will cause in the market.

Paul
http://www.PaulRoark.com