Digital BW, The Print

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "Olivier" 
<odesmais@y...> wrote:

I would have just added to Steve's post, but I wanted to insert some 
comments in a different part of this message.

> 
> As a starting point, I'm disappointed somehow with the Pulse soft : 
I 
> did not realise that it would not linearise or more precisely 
setting 
> ink limit : I have fine/acceptable colors on a 1800 but terrible 
> shadows overloaded with ink specially on EEM.

This is normal for the RGB profiles that you are making. They do not 
have ink limiting for these printers, and do not have linearization 
for these printers. Those features can only be done for true RGB 
devices like a LightJet printer.

> 
> The X-rite support informed me that upgrading to Monaco Profiler 
will 
> linearise the printer and solve the ink limit issue : I just think 
> there's a misunderstanding there. I can't imagine a profile 
limiting 
> ink. It seems I'd be supposed to get addtional controls of the 
Black 
> generation... but I doubt on ink limit control : I may well be 
wrong 
> here. I need to dig a bit more unless you have some advise on a 
more 
> powerful (an awfully expensive) profiler as a solution. 

This upgrade will not help you with the R1800! Your key problem with 
that machine is too much ink on the paper. A change of driver 
settings should correct that. The CMYK profiles that Xrite is 
suggesting will not work unless you have a RIP attached to the 
printer! There is nothing available for the 1800. CMYK profiles do 
offer a profile based linearization, and ink limiting, as well as 
control of the black generation, etc. Profiler is a very good 
application, the only downside is its lack of recognizing optical 
brighteners in paper, and the ability to correct for that in the 
software. You need to use hardware to filter the extra UV coming from 
those papers.

> 
> Since I' have been using QTR, I'm basically seeking something 
> comparable for color worklow with possibly some additional 
features. 
> Meaning I'd like to be able to set ink limit, linearise the 
channels, 
> improve dithering and/or interpolation, and then of course produce 
> more accurate color profiles.
> 
> How extravagant are these expectations for a non-pro : I can't 
> assess. But if I'm to get a 4800 this is the kind of issues I 
> currently considering.

If you want to spend the money, and invest the time to learn what you 
need to do, the results can be very rewarding. You wouldn't need to 
fear changing to a third party ink with the thoughts that the colors 
won't match. You would be able to correct them very easily within the 
RIP and profiles. If you used a neutral black like Eboni or the set 
that WeInk sells (and the set that MIS will sell), then you could 
make B/W prints that do not use color inks to trim out the neutrality 
(over simplification, there will be less color inks used depending on 
paper color, etc.). But as others have said, you need to try the 
driver first, you might be surprised with what you can do. Linearity 
and ink limiting have been reworked for the 4800, it's even beter 
than the 2400. The profiles I've made for a couple of 2400's have 
show much improvement over printers like the 1800. Linearity and 
limits seem to be right on without any fussing with the driver. The 
4800 is supposed to be better.


> 
> A final thought is about the learning curve to properly use a RIP : 
> is this realistic for a simple amateur.

All depends on the amount of work you want to put into it, and the 
amount of money you want to throw at it. Be prepared to throw a lot 
of ink and paper into the learning process, and I do mean a lot. And 
you can't learn everything on just cheap paper either. The good 
papers respond in different ways, and you'll need to learn how this 
may change your set up. After you get a good grip on things, then you 
might want to consider trying different inks to see how that effects 
your results. Not to mention all the different ways you can use the 
features of the profile making application to change the way the 
print looks, some of this will be less important with the 3 black 
inks in the 4800.

There are many discussions about profiling and other color work at 
http://www.dpreview.com in the forums (particularly in the printer 
and printing forum). You might want to spend a little time looking 
around over there. I'm sure others will be able to suggest a couple 
other places to visit too.