Digital BW, The Print

Bjorn,

You wrote:

>I have read about the ImagePrint 4 RIP, and also something
>about the Cone Piezography RIP ...
>that ... increases the optical resolution of an EPSON printer
>...

I just wanted to clarify the claim of increased "optical resolution" with
the Piezo software.

What Piezo software does, among other things, is make for smoother
highlights by using a different dot pattern -- in effect, smaller and more
dots.  This is mostly noticeable with the 3000, but there is also a small
improvement with the 1160.

The Piezo software does not increase resolution of Epson printers in terms
of line pairs per millimeter.  See the resolution test comparing the Epson
driver with the Piezo driver on an 1160.  Go to the "Files" section of this
forum (URL below) and follow the links  to "Message Related Files," then
"10_2001 Uploads," and finally "Piezo-Epson Resolution testing."  The Files
section is at:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint/files/

With the 1160 you can use the MIS FS or MIS FS-neutral inks if you have one
of the workflows for the Piezo/FS inks.  See, for example, Jeff Randall's
partitioned workflow for the 1160 & PC in the Files section.  Follow the
path "Inksets, reviews, and techniques," "MIS FS," and "1160 Partitioned
Workflow."

The 1160 also has workflows that control the MIS VM variable-mix/tone
inksets.

Note that you cannot use the Epson driver and FS or Piezo inks with the
1290.  So, the 1160 is more versatile as a quad printer.  Although with the
MIS VM inksets, some prefer the slightly smoother highlights of the hextone
printers.  (I use an 1160 and find it excellent with all of these inksets.)

(Others will have to comment on the ImagePrint RIP.)

Paul
http://www.PaulRoark.com