Digital BW, The Print

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, Ernst Dinkla 
<E.Dinkla@c...> wrote:
> 
> So, it isn't just about the use of the Kkk's in greyscale mode but 
the 
> neutralising and/or toning as available in Advanced B&W mode that I 
do 
> not see appear in RIPs.  With good profiled color printing it 
shouldn't 
> be a problem to use neutral RGB c.q. duotone RGB for similar results. 
> Though the B&W quality will not exceed QTR or Advanced B&W printing. 
And 
> many designers will be disappointed when their greyscale files in 
PDFs 
> don't print neutral.
> 


If you use CMYK profiles and good GCR adaptation or a RIP with variable 
GCR (a couple allow this now), I don't see the gray portions as a 
problem, especially with the multi black ink printers like the newest 
Epson machines.

And yes I had a much more detailed response typed out, then decided to 
wait until it was more than just loosely tested theory. Basically there 
are two ways (or more) to accomplish the goals of B/W fire art 
printing. Make your toning adjustments in the RIP or driver. Or make 
the RIP and profile do all the work so that you can make your 
adjustments in an image editing application with an ICC profile for 
softproof. For some people it will come down to which one is cheaper 
and easier, and the Epson driver wins that one since it comes frre 
within the driver, with QTR running a very close second, IJC/OPM third 
and on up the price ladder. Print for Pay services may need to look for 
something more than the Epson driver get accomodate all the myriad of 
choices and artist may come up with.


And to the printing press portion... Doesn't Heidelberg have an 8 ink 
press that uses FM dither? Shouldn't be too much difference between 
that press and an inkjet.