Digital BW, The Print

Hi Juraj




> From: jurajlipscher <juraj@...>

> 
> I have done an extensive search of this list regarding printing on a
> 4800 using ABW. Many thanks from my side to all contributors - there
> is a huge wealth of data in there!! I have learned from several posts
> that you could (and should) use QTR Create ICC in the ABW workflow.

You don't have to but if you have the equipment to do so it makes sense for
two reasons:
1.  you get an ICC profile that accurately soft proofs your Adv B&W
settings, both hue and luminance management
2.  you get a more sensible management of the luminance compression from
image file (typically running from perfect black to perfect white) to the
print space (imperfect black and imperfect white).

Think of it as doing the same thing we do for colour but with just one
intent, perceptual.  So we measure what the printer produces in response to
various stimulus and use those observations to create a profile of the
printer's performance.
> 
> In Message 67818 Steve writes:
> 
> "...QTR Create ICC is a much more sensible approach:  measure and
> profile the stimulus-response behaviour of the printer IN ABW MODE and
> have PS use that profile to adjust image file data prior to it being
> sent to the printer. .."
> 
> So just to make sure I get this idea correctly: I prepare an ICC Curve
> using QTR following the instructions and printing through the ABW
> driver. This would be a QTR Profile for a particular paper and ink
> combination and also particular settings in ABW. Then I take an image
> file (in my default workspace G = 2,2) convert this file in PS to the
> QTR Profile just prepared and send this file to ABW using 'same es
> source' in 'Print with Preview'.

You first print a test target with No Color Management (CS2 speak -as you
would for a colour profile).  Say a 51 step wedge with your favourite ABW
settings.  (I just did 4 profiles for my warm settings, horiz/vertical 10-10
10-15 10-20 15-20 20-20.) I just leave all the settings at their default and
adjust the hue picker.

You then measure the target with your EyeOne or other spectrophotometer or
densitometer (the latter only gives you luminance management and not hue
soft proofing).

Then feed this data (drag and drop if from an EyeOne) into QTR Create ICC.
Out pops your ICC profile.

When you come to printing images, you select Let Photoshop Determine Colors
so that PS is used to convert your document profile on the fly from, say GG
2.2, to the output profile you made above using the Perceptual Intent and
Black Point Compensation.

You set up PS soft proofs in the normal fashion.

Hope this helps

Steve