Digital BW, The Print

On 15/5/03 9:36 pm, John Adey <DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com>
wrote:

> I'd be grateful for the benfit of other's experience with MIS
> Variable Tone inks. I've just converted an epson 1160 to a CIS system
> using MIS Variable tone inks (marketed here in the UK as Permajet
> VariTone Blax). I've previously used Lyson SG in an 1160(different
> machine) with acceptable results. But now I'm struggling to produce a
> good tonal range in darker areas, with blocking up of darker tones.
> One or two thoughts at this stage (before I throw the whole setup
> throught the window!):
> 1) How critical is color space setting in the print driver? (Lyson
> produced specific spaces for each papers and it was essential to use
> these settings for best effect)

I'm using Varitone Blax in an Epson 1200 which is a six ink system but my
experience may be relevant.

The colour space is critical - if you don't use sRGB you get all manner of
blocked up shadows - I thought this wouldn't make a deal of difference but
it has proved otherwise - I've set up a Photoshop Action to assign the sRGB
profile from the greyscale original and load the Curve command with the
required Varitone false colour adjustment.

> 2) What color space do other users print to?

See above

> 3) Do I have to accept less 'punchy' prints with these inks?

Compared to what - I've been very happy with the Varitone system for 'punch'
given its use with papers like Lyson Standard Art and Somerset Velvet
Enhanced paper - gloss/oyster/semi-matt papers seem to be a non starter!

> 4) Just how much individual tweaking do other users find necessary to
> apply in addition to Paul Roark's curves?

Once the workflow was established correctly I found there was no need to
tweak or alter the curves at all. I produced a single file with four
21-step wedges and four copies of the same image treated to each of the
false colours for Cool, Neutral Cool, medium Warm and Warm before I saw that
all was well.

--
Regards
David Prakel

Centre of Britain PhotoWorkshops Partnership
www.photopartners.co.uk