Digital BW, The Print

Hi-

After seeing how far digital prints have improved, I am leaving my 
wet darkroom behind and going digital!

I have ordered a Nikon Coolscan V film scanner, a refurb Epson 1280 
printer, and will be purchasing the MIS CFS system, using the UT2 
with Eboni inks.

In my research, I am having some trouble understanding how to use 
the "curves" for obtaining a specific tone.  I have PS Elements 2.0 
(is this sufficient?) and I know we need to convert the greyscale 
image to RGB.  But reading the MIS website regarding Paul's curves 
for specific papers (I plan on using PhotoRag) I don't understand 
how they are to be applied.

For example, for photograg, it says "UT2-PhotoRag-Neutral-1" 
and "UT2-PhotoRag-Carbon-" and "UT2-PhotoRag-Sepia-1 (use 16 bit; 
there is only one sepia curve)".

What is the significance of the above? What exactly do we do in 
Photoshop to apply the curves?

I understand the application of obtaining tones using the Epson 
driver and moving the sliders for the C M and Y, it is the PS curves 
that I am struggling with.

Any help in this regard would be greatly appreciated!

Rob