Digital BW, The Print

> From: classicjan1949 [mailto:ClassicJan@...]
>
> I have just moved out of the wet darkroom and am setting myself up
> digitally -- I have a new epson 2200.  I have been reading posts
> here for a week or two and I need a bit of assistance in
> understanding profiles, curves, and RIPs. I am not sure I understand
> the difference and whether I need to do just one of these
> calabrations or more than one.
> I am told that I can downlaod profiles  -- curves too?
> Right now, as a start, I am using the original ink set at BO with
> EEM paper.  That is the Photo Black cartridge.  The printer also has
> a Light black - does that one function in concert with the PK when I
> set at BO?

If you're using black only, you don't need profiles, because there's not
much to profile. However, on matte papers, you really should buy the Matte
Black ink, since it's darker. And no, BO mode doesn't use the light black.

> Also, I have not run a color print through the printer at this
> point -- is it wise to not do that (the curiosity is killing me)and
> just leave this a virgin B&W printer.  My work is B&W.
> Any assistance is appreciated or links to other sources.  I have
> read the Clayton Jones articles -- they were very helpful.

There's no harm to printing color. It won't mess up your B&W printing. But
that's where you start facing color management questions. If you're printing
from Photoshop, you can either apply the profile in PS or in the driver. I
recommend startin with the stock profiles, and letting the driver do the
conversion, by specifying a print space of "Printer color management" in PS,
and then selecting ICM and the appropriate profile in the Advanced page of
the driver.

--

Ciao,               Paul D. DeRocco
Paul                mailto:pderocco@...