Digital BW, The Print

Hi Joe;

The PS duotone function is meant as a specifier for offset-litho 
printing, so it doesn't work very well for inkjet; I've found it 
takes so much fiddling and tweaking that IMO much of the time you're 
better off just starting with an RGB file and adjusting the 
individual curves to get what you want. It helps however to be 
certain where any inconsistencies are being introduced, so try 
printing a greyscale and B&W test image with color inks and the 
profile you're using, to verify that it is capable of getting you  a 
neutral image. Chances are good that it is not, even though it 
doesn't show on a color print. Make an adjustment curve to 
neutralize any color shifts being introduced by the profile-you 
should be able to use the curve /profile combo as a starting point 
for most images you want to 'duotone'. Turn it off while you're 
working out the doutone colors you want, but turn it on again before 
you print, or your results will be skewed by the profile 
inconsistencies. After that, add a second ajustment curve and use 
the individual RGB curves to provide the color shifts you want. 
Since you're having saturation problems, start with some very minor 
adjustments, and see what that gives you. Using an s-curve 
introduces 'crossover' and gives the split-toned effect, and you can 
do that to all three curves, and add more adjustment layers if it 
gets crowded on the first one. It's best, however, to keep it 
simple, and test-print each step as you go until you figure out what 
you've got. When you have a look you like, save the adjustment 
layer, and try a new one, until you build a libray to cover your 
needs. If you need more detail, contact me off-list, as this is a 
bit off-topic for this list.

Steve Karafyllakis

http://www.stevekphoto.com



--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "Joe" 
<drjoe2@c...> wrote:
> 
> I have an epson 1280 using MIS GP color and eboni black.  Color 
> results with downloaded profiles look great.  However if I try to 
do 
> a duotone, tritone, or quadtone the results are awful.  Even if I 
> convert a grayscale to RGB and apply some color to simulate a 
sepia 
> tone the results are awful.  Heavily saturated with one color 
> dominating even if I reduce the saturation to less than 10%.  
Anyone 
> have any suggestions?  Thanks
> 
> Joe