Digital BW, The Print

> ...I've heard the term 'linearize' a lot recently but
> I can't figure out what it means in the context of printing...

The way it is used here refers to getting the printer to output a grayscale
that is visually even and smooth.  That is, if a 21-step test file is
printed, the steps should be visually even -- or, more accurately, coincide
with some pre-determined, standard distribution of values.  In fact, the
curve or grayscale "ramp" is not "linear" because our eyes don't react that
way to light.  So, in reality "linearization" means getting the printer to
produce an output that matches whatever standard we've selected.  I
currently favor the Gray Gamma 2.2 space and grayscale ramp.  However, the
95% to 100% step is way less separated visually than the 50% to 55% step,
but since my monitor displays this same distribution, it works well.

Paul
www.PaulRoark.com