Digital BW, The Print

Jim,

Sounds like you're eager to get going with the new 1280 and MIS VM inkset.
Be sure you have the right curves; they are different depending on whether
you use a PC or Mac.  If you are using the PC, be sure to download Tyler's
latest curves from the Files section of this forum.

You wrote:

>...

>...anything others have learned that I should try to do first, or avoid.

Most recommend that you do some printing with the OEM Epson inks first to be
sure the printer is working.  Also, some say that there is a shipping oil in
the heads that is best rinsed out with Epson ink.

>I
>figured I would just install the MIS VM carts, run two cleaning cycles like
>they say.

Do a nozzle check first.  With pre-filled carts you may not need to do any
cleaning cycles.  They waste a lot of ink and the printer keeps track of
them and will shut down for required service after a set number of them.

> Then maybe print a step wedge.

I recommend you go straight to your favorite print.  Just be sure to have
the settings correct and follow the workflow -- edit in grayscale and print
after converting to RGB and applying one of the Photoshop image adjustment
curves.

>  Can any one point me in a good
>direction to educate myself more on these step wedges?
> Oh, and do I have to
>apply Pauls curves to these step wedges before printing them too?

Always apply one of the curves (for printing only -- I don't save the file.
Someday I'm going to apply one of the curves, print the image in color, and
submit the color print to a juried show.)

>  I am printing on EAM by the way.

That is the way to start.  You can always then go to other papers, but you
ought to see what EAM can do for comparison.

Have fun with the new digital darkroom.

Paul
http://www.PaulRoark.com