Digital BW, The Print

> ...
> > I have been using Dot Gain 20%, as I've heard that it leads
> > to more 'open' lower print values.


My previous comment:
 
> Only in a color managed workflow does the working space matter.  In such a
> workflow, the Dot Gain 20% does result in more separation of the deep
> shadow values.  


This thread seems to have become much more complex.  Here is an example of
what I was trying to point out.  This compares the Lab L* separation of the
100% and 90% print values with Gray Gamma 2.2 and Dot Gain 20% working
spaces and an un-tagged original file, in what I call non-color managed v.
color managed workflows:


A.  Non-color managed workflow:  CS2 Print with Preview "Color Handling" set
to "No Color Management", printer driver set to Color Controls.

1.  Gray Gamma 2.2 working space -- 90-100 separation = 8.4;

2.  Dot Gain 20% working space -- 90-100% separation = 8.3.

These are essentially the same.  I think the difference is within normal
print-to-print variation.


B.  Color managed workflow:  Print with Preview set to "Let Photoshop
Determine Colors" and an ICC make with Create ICC inserted, driver set to No
Color Adjustment.

1.  Gray Gamma 2.2 working space -- 90-100 separation = 3.4;

2.  Dot Gain 20% working space -- 90-100% separation = 8.2. 

Here the 90 - 100% separation of the Gray Gamma 2.2 print is clearly
compressed relative to the Dot Gain 20% print.  (Note that the Dot Gain 20%
separation similarity to the non-color managed print is mostly coincidence
and an artifact of how I formulate the inksets.)



> 
> ... since Gray Gamma 2.2 is a ... common standard,... I now
> recommend using the GG 2.2 standard.



> Whichever space you use, the point of the color managed workflow is to
> have the (calibrated) monitor better match the print, without 
> the need to make a custom dot gain curve.

Note that the same ICC was used in the above sample step wedge prints.  With
color management you should get a good monitor to print match with either
working space.  

However, a file that was adjusted to look and print well with one workspace
will not print well in another workspace without adjustment.  As such, I've
started to note in my file names whether the file was edited in Gray Gamma
2.2 (as opposed to my old standard where a custom dot gain curve was used).


Paul
www.PaulRoark.com