Digital BW, The Print

Hi,

For 1270 and 870 owners, a new set of Photoshop image adjustment curves has
been posted in the Files section of this forum.  The Files section is at:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint/files/

From there go to:  > Ink Sets, reviews and techniques > MIS Variable Mix >
870 and 1270 Curves

Martin has put all the curves in a Zip file that also includes a text file
with the setting information.

These curves use different settings than the older 1270 curves.  The first
difference is that the Epson driver color management setting is, "No Color
Adjustment."  So the sliders are disabled.  But, the trade-off is that the
curves should be cross-platform. (The names have a prominent "NCA" in them
to remind me and others of this change.)

I wrote the curves on an 870-PC platform.  So, I'd be most curious how they
work on a 1270-Mac platform.

These curves also use paper-type setting of Matte Heavy Weight, not Photo
Quality Ink Jet.  The curves, as usual, were written for Epson
Archival/Enhanced Matte.

The curves also are written for Adobe RGB (1998) working space.  (I set the
Color Settings (under "Edit") first to PS 5 defaults and then just change
the RGB working space to Adobe RGB (1998).)

I've re-named the "mw" curve the "nw" curve.  When this curve is used with
EAM, the print is initially dead neutral in the mid-ranges -- according to
the X-Rite densitometer I used to write the curves.  (Of course, the paper
tone affects the highlights, and the warm black affects the deep shadows.)
So, the "nw" curve starts neutral but will warm to medium warm.

Note also that one of the curves is a grayscale printing curve.  There is no
RGB mode conversion in the workflow for this curve.  Just apply the curve
and print.  (Be careful not to save an altered file, which will not be as
obvious as in the RGB workflows.)  The print is 0.01 unit cool in the
lighter tones and a bit cooler in the shadows, with a maximum 0.03 cool at
65-70%.  (These modern, hextone Epsons clearly do not need partitioning
curves to get smooth highlights.)

Let me know how these new curves work on your 1270s.

Paul
http://www.PaulRoark.com