Digital BW, The Print

Nick,

I use IJC/OPM and QTR and haven't had a problem reaching Dmax with 
the papers I use.  I haven't used Paul's curves, though, so cannot 
compare directly.  Still, Dmax is Dmax, and is goverend by the paper 
and ink combination (plus any other post printing treatments used to 
enhance it).  I can achieve Dmax on my papers using OPM with my IJC 
created profiles.  

Are you able to achieve Dmax on step 26 of the 26 step linearized 
grayscale wedge when printed after creating the profile?  If so, you 
should get it with your prints.

If step 26 does not reach the Dmax of your paper, it may be the way 
you built your profile.  Too little or too much ink, strangly enough, 
can sometimes reduce Dmax, exceeding the paper's ink limit.  Or, 
adding other inks to your black at the dark end of the scale can also 
reduce Dmax.  My experience suggests that I should use as little of 
the other inks as possible as I approach jet black.  I only use as 
much as required to get the coloration required.  And near Dmax, I 
find that I have a harder time distinguishing colors anyway.

Punch can also have to do with things other than Dmax.  Another 
thread on this forum was talking about that.  If you are showing a 
lot more detail in the shadows in one print than in another, the one 
with more shadow detail will appear to have less contrast and punch, 
since there is less solid black than in the image with blocked up 
shadows.  

I'd probably print out my image with a 21 or 26 step grayscale as 
part of the image, measuring the targets to get more objective data.  
But, first you have to find out why OPM is giving you only 1.59 while 
the other method is giving you 1.67.

Part of it could be the proofing issue.  Without any proofing, I do 
find my prints print lighter than seen on my screen.  If I soft 
proof, using Roy's or someone elses procedure, I get to see 
approximately how the image will look when Printed.  I find I have to 
darken the image somewhat so my soft proof looks good, then all is 
well.  Perhaps Paul's method shows a more accurate proof??

I will say that using the same inks and paper, either method should 
be able to hit the Dmax of the paper.  So, it is probably a profile 
or workflow issue.  Hope something here triggers a solution.

Lou