Digital BW, The Print

The Epson RIP uses at least one of the Cyan and one of the Magenta 
inks (it may use both of each) along with the 2 black inks. This can 
be seen in Mr. Peter Nelson's helpful web page on metamerism:

http://studio-nelson.com/inkjet/bw22003.htm

and in a less skillfully done image I scanned and enlarged (and 
sharpened to allow definition of the color of the dots):

http://home.kc.rr.com/rardinger/epsonrip.jpg

(this image is a direct scan of a print I made with the 2200/Epson 
RIP/matte black/Epson enhanced matte)

I cannot see much if any yellow ink used in these samples.  It is the 
yellow ink that is thought to be the problem with much of the 
metamerism (so I have read).

The Epson 2200 RIP does not have any ability to alter tone (any 
ability that I can find at least).  I tried altering the tone of the 
image file in PS but got less than great results and more blocking up 
of the shadows (although perhaps with more tweaking it might work).  

Overall the supplied directions are wanting (still not sure how to 
change from the supplied profiles as the program will not use other 
profiles I have, possibly because it knows they were not made for the 
RIP but I am not sure it is that smart).

Epson support for this product, although meaning well, was hampered 
by a lack of a working knowledge.  They did follow-up and call back 
with help for an install conflict problem I had.

The prints (matte black ink, Epson enhanced matte) are a bit warm but 
not much. I like "colder" prints better but can easily live with the 
image tone from the RIP. 

I think a good B&W solution should have come with the printer as they 
marketed it that way.  To mentally ease the cost of the RIP one could 
think of the pricing scheme of the new Epson 3200 scanner, one could 
suggest that the 2200 as marketed is the "Standard Version" and for 
$695 one that will do great color and OK B&W (probabably quite OK for 
many people although perhaps not those on this group list).  Adding 
the RIP makes it the "2200 PRO" version for $895 and it will do much 
better B&W.  WIth that logic, I am pretty happy with my $895 purchase 
and ability to use the same printer/inkset/paper for both color and 
black and white prints.

I would like to hear from more folks that are using the Epson 2200 
RIP for B&W (or even color but perhaps that would need to be on the 
2200 group list) as I bet the RIP can do more than I can get it to do 
with my present knowledge.

Robert


 
--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "Daniel Staver" 
<daniel@p...> wrote:
> > From what I've read in the various forums the Epson RIP produces 
a 
> > warm B&W print as it seems to only use the black and light black 
> > inks. There are also no toning options as far I can see.....