Digital BW, The Print

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "Paul Roark"
<paul.roark@v...> wrote:
>...The major "problem" is actually the way the monitors compress the
> darkest few steps to the point that, in my view, it's just wasting our
> limited grayscale.

I realize we all spend too much money on all this stuff, and I hate to
suggest more. But considering what we spend on materials over the
months I really think good monitor calibration has become a necessity
for anyone doing critical imaging work. With the latest generation of
EyeOne and Colorvision products, I can see the difference between
level 0 and level 1, between level 1 and level 2, etc..
I hear the Monaco offering is very good, and though I've had a few
problems with it, the new basICColor display is reportedly excellent.
These days good monitor calibration can be had for $200 or under if
you shop around, upgrades tend to be free for quite a while. It is
possible to overcome this problem.

It is also possible to characterize any output system, including one
using RGB curves and the Epson driver, with a preview profile that
will soft proof quite well.

...

> I'm not intending to restrict myself to the Epson driver.  When
reasonably
> priced RIPs can improve the situation, I'll use them.

That day has been here for a while. QTR is ridiculously reasonable,
and IJC/OPM is also very reasonable.
I'm not suggestion you abandon the Epson driver or change anything you
are doing, but I think you would be quite pleased with what you can do
with these tools once you start playing with them.

There is a lack of consensus about what "linear" is, and what middle
gray is. Other than that the issues addressed in this thread,
regarding display characteristics, workingspace, output
characteristics, their differences, overcoming them one way or
another, can be dealt with. Usually it involves color management in
some way, gotta get on top of that.

Tyler