Digital BW, The Print

Austin,

You wrote:

>A question on using the MIS VM inks, and non-Piezo driver...since I've
never
>used that setup at all, I have no idea...but can you view what your image
is
>going to look like on screen before printing?

I edit in grayscale, which gives an accurate representation of the print --
i.e., its WYSIWYG.  In fact, I had FS inks in my 1160 last week and MIS Vm
inks in the 3000.  I used the Piezo software and FS inks to proof an image
that was to be printed on the 3000 at 16x20.  The two systems give
essentially identical looking prints, aside from whatever tone differences
one has chosen.  Since I started with Piezo, I used that as the standard for
the MIS VM curves.

> Is it as "easy" as the Piezo
>driver to print not using the Piezo driver?

With the MIS VM system you have to convert to RGB mode for printing.  Then
you apply a curve.  With a Photoshop "action" this can be a one key
operation.  I haven't measured the time it actually takes, but it's no big
deal.  I've heard some say they think Piezo is a bit more user friendly, but
one does have to set up their software.  So ...

>What about paper profiling, is that pretty much covered also?

This may be where Piezo has an advantage.  Most of the matte papers seem to
print rather well with the standard EAM profile, but there are not the great
variety of profiles that Piezo has.  I am hoping users make and contribute
profiles, but so far I don't see much happening there.  I think part of it
is that people have found that in B&W and with pigmented inks profiles just
are not that important.

>Cone et al, say that they print at 2160, but I can't substantiate
>that...what's your take on that?

On the 4-ink printers the Piezo highlights are a bit smoother.  On my 1160,
however, the Piezo microbanding caused the overall print with the Epson
driver to be better. Also, while some can see the dots of the MIS VM prints
with the 1160, at normal viewing distance and in real photos, I don't see
any dots.  The 1160 is good enough that MIS uses one to make samples of the
MIS VM prints.

On 6-ink printers both systems should be dotless by almost any standard.

The 1280 at 2880 with the Epson driver is the champ according to my tests
(Standard Deviation measure in Photoshop of a 240 dpi scan).  However, the
2880 resolution is slow and the 1440 so good, I can't imaging many use the
2880 resolution.

Paul
http://www.PaulRoark.com