Digital BW, The Print

Clayton, I've been watching this thread with some interest..

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "Clayton Jones"
<cj@c...> wrote:...
snip..

> 1) Why did the S-curve, which didn't move the zero anchor point and
> theoretically didn't change any already zero pixels, make the printer
> put down more ink in a patch that was already solid zero pixels?

As you previously state, it is an assumption that more ink went down,
but..
I can think of no possible reason RGB 0, 0, 0, would print differently
from two different files. I would be inclined to go back and carefully
verify everything, all printing settings for both, double check file
values, etc..

> 2) What does "more ink" actually mean in this case? Two squirts on
> each dot location instead of one?  Dot locations that overlap?

Driver guys like Roy could tell you more about that.

> 3) Why does adding more ink to an already 100% covered area of pure
> black increase Dmax?

Sometimes it does and sometimes it doesn't. Depends on ink, paper,
printer. It's also an (perhaps) assumption that 100% ink is in fact
full coverage of the paper. I believe there is still a dot pattern at
100%, the driver cannot simply open up and pour it down.

>  Does a lesser amount of ink sink in deep and
> leave less on the surface, and a greater amount "fills it up" so to
> speak?
> 
> 4) Will all papers react to extra ink that way?

Not necessarily, in fact some, with some ink, will have a higher dmax
at something less than 100%, for example papers that bronze.

> 5) Here's the biggie: The paper is capable of much better Dmax if you
> give it more ink.  I found that I can give it more ink with the curve
> (for whatever mysterious reason), but it ruined the pic because the
> rest of the image was too contrasty.  How can I make the printer give
> it more ink in zero RGB zones without changing the contrast?

There's something goofy going on. 000 is 000, context shouldn't be an
issue, if it were none of our procedures would work from file to file.
The only way of I know to change what the printer puts down at a given
input value is through driver settings, media, ppi, etc..
> 
> ...But how to get
> more ink to the paper in the black areas...

First, just verify, then maybe you can track down the method.
Tyler