Digital BW, The Print

Hi Steve,

>I'm looking for a way to match the border area of a print to the mat 
>color that isn't too much of a pain.

Of course, the method I recommend is to use non-brightened (no OBA) paper.

Usually a brightened paper is too bluish relative to the un-brightened mat
boards.  One of the most effective ways I've seen to overcome this with inks
is the use of yellow ink in a color inkset.

With B&W inksets, the chromas are so low when just a 2% - 5% or so density
is used that graying down the border may be about all that can be done.  I'm
not sure how much difference it makes whether the ink used is pure carbon or
neutral.  However, since carbon is somewhat yellow, that would at least in
theory be the best ink to use if it is easily accomplished.

> Is it possible to apply different 
>profiles to separate layers of an image with 3D?

I don't think one can print through the PS Print Profile and have different
ICCs applied to different parts of the image.

The 3D inkset is controlled by curves inside the ICCs.  I post these curves
also.  With the curves you can apply a different set to different parts of
the image.  See my simple split-tone example at
http://home1.gte.net/res09aij/Split_tone.pdf 

However, the curves used in the example above and the curves that are inside
the ICCs lack the more accurate linearization of the ICC workflow.  So, to
get a perfect monitor match some individual tweaking might be needed.  You'd
have to test the specific curves.  I don't think I've even posted pure
carbon curves yet.  They are relatively simple -- just the C channel (red
curve) with M and Y diving down at the end to turn on the black ink.
(Getting the ramp smooth and correct, of course, is always easier said than
done.)

> That would enable me 
>to print a warm very light grey border with a neutral image. 

That would be a nice goal -- for both the border issue and split tone
printing.  Maybe a Photoshop expert could find a way to apply or "convert
to" different ICCs within PS.  It seems like one might be able to make
duplicate RGB copies, convert each copy of the image to a different ICC, and
then re-combine them as appropriate -- the neutral part for the image
itself; the warm part for the border.  I might try that later today.  It
might be a better way to do a split tone if it works.  It would be nice to
retain the linearization of the ICC in split-toning.

Paul
www.PaulRoark.com