Digital BW, The Print

In a message dated 2/2/06 6:32:45 PM, jerry.robinson4@... writes:


> I am just now getting into B&W digital printing with the purchase of a
> 2400 - leaving the wet darkroom after 40 years. I use Monaco EZ Color
> to make custom profiles for color.  Will the same profile also work 
> for Black and White for a specific paper?
> 
> To print black and white (or tinted B&W) images with color inks leaves you 
open to such issues as print color shifting under different viewing lights, and 
possible color shifting over time with differential fading. But if you can 
live with those issues, its necessary to use very precise ICC color profiles for 
your printing to avoid color tints showing in your grays. Scanner-built 
profiles are generally not acceptable for this demanding level of use, some form of 
spectro-based system is necessary. I'm getting ver acceptable B&W prints 
through PrintFIX PRO 225 patch profiles (though they are still subject to all the 
limitations noted above), and can see some slight improvement in B&W prints on 
certain difficult printer/ink combinations by moving up to the 729 patch 
target. Its still not a total solution for black and white; but then, it works on 
most any printer, and doesn't require a dedicated inkset or RIP, so the 
convenience is there, if not the stability.

C. David Tobie
Product Technology Manager
ColorVision Business Unit
Datacolor Inc.
CDTobie@colorvision.com
www.colorvision.com


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