Digital BW, The Print

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "Mike Botelho"
<mfractl@h...> wrote:
> 
> As I've mentioned, I'm deciding on my digital switch-over, and I am 
> fairly new to the subject of RIPs, though, as I said, I have a demo 
> copy of StudioPrint waiting for when I get my printer.  Sounds like 
> it's something I may want to at least try, since trying it out is 
> free.  I wasn't really thinking of RIPs as being usable with 3rd 
> party inks,

using 3rd party inks is one of the main reasons might chose to use a
RIP, since linearization and profiling is so controlable. These
abilities "may" be less necessary with the Epson ink and driver the
printer was designed for.

...one but, as yet, I'm not very familiar with the Cone inks and 
> everything that accompany them.  I assume that they can be used with 
> StudioPrint due to the profiles you mentioned, correct?

No, linearization for quad printing in StudioPrint or other
RIPs/drivers designed to optimize quad printing is different than icc
profiling. Though IJM is aparently coming out with a stripped down
version of StudioPrint with supplied environments (linearizations).
The profiles I mentioned were for color, and access the Epson
screening. There is no way it can be less inferior to the Epson driver
in this sense, since it IS the Epson screening. However, this is only
for color, individual ink control necessary for critical quad work is
not possible using Epson's proprietory screening (at least for 3rd
parties) so other impressive screenings are available in the RIP when
in Quad made.

>  Having just 
> gotten a handle on calibration and profiling in regard to color 
> management, I'm totally ignorant on how this relates to B&W.  I 
> wasn't aware that profiles could be done for B&W printing, but, like 
> I said, this is unknown territory for me.

They are not the same. Color icc profiling is 3 dimensional in a
sense, quad linearization is 2 dimensional, density adjustments only.
It is not a color management workflow.

>  I suppose I should spend 
> some time and look into the Cone system also.

StudioPrint IS the current recommended Cone system. If you go to IJM's
site, you'll even see a step by step guide to how linearization is
done in StudioPrint.
 
> Well, it's definitely seeming that B&W digital is very much like B&W 
> from the (wet) darkroom in the sense that it may look like a simple 
> process on the surface yet is a complex task to accomplish with 
> finesse.

I don't think it's even simple on the surface, don't trust anyone
telling you anything about it is simple, or economical. Be ready for a
big commitment and many decisions to make.
Tyler