Digital BW, The Print

Richard,

>... which inkset would be the easiest to master - the UT7 or 3D - 
> I use a 2100.

>... At present I am getting good results only by producing 
> too many proofs, which is a situation I want to move away 
> from by getting a better handle on colour management.

> ... just made my first icc profile with my scanner,...

> Normally I print marginally warm-neutral ...

There are pros and cons of each system.

If you don't use sepia, that (yellow) position of the UT7 inkset is not
used.  At least in theory, I'd prefer to have all positions used to keep the
printer working properly and to better hide microbanding due to imperfect
printers.  The actual incidence of problems from non-use of the sepia is
unclear.  

For most people the ease of use depends on the number of profiles that
exist.  There are currently more curves for the UT7 inkset, but going
forward, the UT-3D is the inkset I'll be using and making profiles for.  It
will ultimately be the easier and better supported inkset.

The use of "Create ICC-RGB" is an integral part of my workflow for the
UT-3D.  Printing with these ICCs is an easier workflow than using curves --
as long as one has Photoshop or PS Elements.  It also takes care of the
monitor to print matching problem.  One can also, however, use Create
ICC-RGB with the UT7 workflow, just using existing curves with the program.

While a spectro is needed to make the most accurate ICCs and complex curves,
a scanner can be used to reasonably linearize a system with an existing
curve.  I've found many papers can be linearized with an existing curve for
another paper.  That is, the tones will print well with an existing curve
for a similar type of paper, and the Create ICC-RGB will take care of the
grayscale ramp.

While I'll be making curves for the 3D inkset, once one knows how to make a
simple grayscale ICC with a scanner, the 3D inkset may be the easiest to use
with no curve.  The fact that it prints well on matte paper (or glossy with
a PK) with Color Controls set to 0 facilitates workflows based on sliders or
very mild curves (like with as few one point per curve) with a simply
linearization ICC.  The UT7, due to the sepia, can't match this; when no
curves are used the sepia makes the inkset less lightfast and less even with
respect to color.  

In short, while the UT-3D is still a bit of a beta product, it has some
capabilities that have barely been explored that could be very easy for
users to deal with.  Going forward, it's the most interesting inkset by far,
and the one that we'll be concentrating on with respect to not only
profiling but also QC efforts aimed at the inputs -- where such problems
often (but not always) come from.  (Then again I'm always most enthused by
my new creations.)

Paul
www.PaulRoark.com