Digital BW, The Print

On Wednesday, October 9, 2002, at 05:02  PM, chipcarterdc wrote:

> I've been reading raves about this Photo Rag paper.  Is anyone using
> it with an Epson 2200?  If so, here are my questions:
>
> (1) Are you using it WITHOUT a custom profile, and if so, what
> settings do you use in the Epson software? E.g., so you set the Media
> Type to "Velvet Fine Art;" "Premium Glossy," or what?  Do you use
> the "relative colormetric" and "postscript color management"
> settings, and print in Photorealistic mode under color management?

I've tried HPR using the Photorealistic workflow, matte black ink, and  
the three available matte media choices in the driver.  The Enhanced  
Matte media choice gave the best results for me.  Prints are very  
similar to EAM except for some slight blocking in the deep shadows  
(98-100%).  I don't have Dmax measurements, but I can not see any  
visual difference in the depth of the blacks compared to EAM and there  
is no black mottling in my prints.  Same results with Brightcube  
Eclipse Satine and I prefer the bright white of this paper compared to  
the warm white of HPR.

> (2) How does it compare to Epson Velvet Fine Art (which I quite like
> with this printer, but I'm always willing to try something new)?

Haven't tried this paper yet.
>
> (3) Photo Black or Matte Black ink with this paper?

Definitely matte black - photo black is useless with any of the matte  
papers.
>
> (4) Most importantly, how are the results for black and white prints?

Comparable to EAM with the same workflow.
>
> (5) Other thoughts on Photo rag w. the 2200?

I'd use it occasionally for prints that demand a warm tone paper, but  
as I said I prefer the BC satine or EAM for most B&W images.
>
> I know that many of you will say "get a custom profile."

I'm still waiting to see some critical reviews of IP 5 (OS X version)  
before I spend any money on custom paper profiles for the 2200.

>   That's a
> financial expense I can't handle at the moment.  I tried Ilford's
> Classic Pearl, and set it up as instructed by Ilford (I used Premium
> Glossy as the paper setting) and the prints came out a horrific
> purple.  I'm trying to avoid buying more expensive paper if I can't
> achieve good (not "perfect") results without a custom profile.
>
> (By the way, I have 23 (out of 25) sheets of 11x17 Ilford Classic
> Pearl for sale if anyone's interested, since I can't figure out how
> to get good results from that paper.)
>
> Thanks!
>
>
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