Digital BW, The Print

----- Original Message -----
From: <peter@...>


> I want to get advice on the best method for getting the most neutral
> BW prints from this printer.  I live in the US so I don't have access
> to the Graybalancer  (yes, I know I can download it in French or
> Swedish but that doesn't give me the test chart, and anyway it's got
> a 120 page manual and I don't speak those languages!).

You will find a lot of discussion on this in the archives.

Without spending any additional money, you might try printing using the
photo-realistic mode setting of the Epson driver.  This generally does a
reasonable job of BW printing, but you will notice metamerism.

An English version of the Gray Balancer can be found on Epson-Russia's web
site.  You can find a link to the windows download here:
http://fors.net/2200/  As fas as I know they haven't posted a MAC download.
There is also a good tutorial at
http://www.photo-i.co.uk/talkshop/gb-tutorial.htm that explains how to use a
standard Kodak gray scale with the software.  Again, this solution won't
solve the metamerism problem.

The best solution I've found to date is Colorbyte's ImagePrint software for
an additional $500.  From my tests, it appears to print using only black,
light black, light cyan, and light magenta inks and does an excellent job at
achieving neutral prints with no noticable metamerism.

Other possibilities might be: iProof Power RIP and Epson's own Stylus 2200
RIP software.  I have not tested or seen output from these, but others have
reported good results.

> Are there websites or other places where people discuss good methods
> of calibrating the 2200 for neutral BW printing?  Thanks in advance!
>

Search the archives of this group.  Also check out the photo-i site,
http://www.luminous-landscape.com/reviews/printers/Epson2200.shtml, and the
inkjet printing forums at dpreview.com

--Tom