Digital BW, The Print

David,

I must chime in here, with some simple thoughts, as I am probably 
one of the least technologically informed people in this group (and, 
that may even be an advantage).

I am dismayed that you are having such a problem, and everyone is 
trying to offer sincere help here, but I believe it is very 
difficult to understand each person's offerings EXACTLY as intended 
due to the unique way each person articulates his own experiences, 
and each with a different level of accuracy in their ability to 
present the issues as they perceive them.

Personally, after following this thread since the beginning, I 
believe your problem is a very simple one, not complicated at all 
The QTR implementation requires very little effort (certainly no 
more than preparing a cup of tea), so I am compelled to offer my own 
two cents.

FWIW, I want you to know that I am using the very same setup as you, 
and have NEVER had even the slightest problem with QTR, as it 
delivers exactly the same contrast/density/sharpness as when I print 
from the Epson driver, except that it delivers perfectly neutral 
metamerism-free prints! You should be having the same results as me, 
as it is a very simple process, made complicated by many settings 
that may sound or look the same, but which really are not. Here is 
how I do it, my settings, opinions and some suggestions:

1. I do not believe your monitor is so out of calibration that it is 
the cause of this specific problem. If you are getting close to what 
you want printing b/w & color through the Epson driver, you should 
get approximately the same accuracy through QTR. This seems a simple 
deduction. 

2. For me, I approach my b/w workflow in several different ways, 
none of which are important here. The big difference from what I am 
reading of other workflows, is that I DO NOT convert to the QTR 
workspace until I have completely finished working on my image. 
Then, just before I print with QTR, I convert to the QTR workspace. 

I convert by going into Image-> Mode-> Convert-to-Profile (at the 
very BOTTOM of the list. I have a feeling you are not doing this 
correctly, and are simply clicking the wrong selection). The profile 
dialog that opens up should read "QTR - gray matte paper." Use Adobe 
(ACE) engine, Perceptual, Black point, and Dither.

3. Save the file as a .TIF file, open the QTRGui program and select 
the image. Select the 2200 printer, use QUAD 2200, Type: Matte 
Paper, 1440 Super, Better (not "faster").

4. Curves should be set to (on the left) UC-EEnhMatte Warm and (on 
the right) UC-EEnhMatte Cool, with a blend of 50. Leave both Ink 
Limit sliders below at "0."

5. Select your paper size and print!

Now, if this doesn't solve your problem, UNINSTALL QTR COMPLETELY 
(there is a link to a complete "cleanout" utility at 
http://www.sbillard.org/Shareware/QTRCleanout.exe). Then, reinstall 
QTR from a fresh download, reinstall the profiles, and try it again. 
I'm using 2.2.0.

I hope this helps you pinpoint your problem. QTR is a great program, 
and there is no reason on earth why you should not benefit from it 
like the rest of us. Please let me know if any of this helps!

Best wishes,

Jeff Singer
htp://pbase.com/k2kv   


> You are right. There will be time for the tweeking and getting the
> ultimate quality after I get the basic results right. As said I am
> happy with the PS results. Only the metamerism needs to be 
eliminated.
> The rest, custom curves, different inks, that can come later if 
need be.
> 
> Anyway, it is hard to diagnose that kind of issues online and I 
will
> be playing with different ways and settings until I get it right 
and
> post my findings.
> 
> Thanks,
> David.