Digital BW, The Print

Roger,

>I use an R220 with the MIS UT-R2 neutral ink set primarily on Innova 
>315 Smooth Cotton and Dourian Art (Photorag clone) papers. I've 
>found myself using black only more and more simply because I like 
>the warmer tone for some of my images.

As you note below, you could use some R2-W carts to warm up the image and
keep the smoothness.

> I am interested in the UT-3D 
>inkset, but not ready to commit to it until more profiles are made,

The 3D inkset in a 220 prints essentially neutral on EEM with no curves,
Color Controls=0, and Gamma 2.2.  Even with no ICC, it has a good ramp, with
a bit more separation in the deep shadows than when an ICC is used in
working space gray gamma 2.2.

The easiest way to make the inkset warmer is to have the file in RGB, open a
curves dialog box, move the green curve (M ink, which is the main cool
toner) up 20 in the center and the red curve (C ink, which is the carbon)
down 20 at the center.  The print then is very close to a 220 Eboni BO
print, but with much more smoothness and more separation in the deep
shadows.  These curves could be embedded in an ICC if you have that program.

The point is that the 3D inkset prints well with no controls, just like the
R2.  Very simple curves with offsetting moves are an effective way to alter
the tones with little effect on the shape of the ramp.

>  not sure Clayton's driver control method is a step forward from 
> the ICC approach I use now.

They can distort the ramp easily if overdone.  For mild control, they have
merit.  I have not had time to experiment much with them and the 3D inkset,
but they would also work some in that context.

I prefer curves embedded in ICCs.

>I saw Paul Roark recommends using a warm yellow cart to slightly 
>warm up the neutral set, but this doesn't make a whole lot of 
>difference in my experience. 

I like the warm in the yellow spot because it has most of its effect in the
shadow areas, where some cotton papers print too cold for me.

>I'd like to split the difference between the neutral and warm set. 
> If I bought a warm yellow bottle 
>and used it in say the LM and Y places, would that get me close to 
>halfway to the warm inkset?

It would get you about half way at the 50% point. You'll still have 2
neutral-cool dark inks in the C & M.  You might want a warm one there too.

Hope this helps.

Paul
www.PaulRoark.com