Digital BW, The Print

In a message dated 8/28/06 10:48:51 AM, howard.slavitt@... writes:


> Thanks, C. David.  (BTW, I purchased my first custom profiles from
> you, way back when, when I had an Epson 1200 and was using
> MediaStreet inks. . . . You don't still sell custom profiles do
> you?)  . . .  
> 

No,   believe in burning my bridges behind me, and am focussing on making 
user-built ICC profiles so good, so easy, and so affordable, that there will be 
little justification for jobbing it out anymore...

> What about for profiling Epson Semigloss, do you think
> I might also see an improvement in shadow detail with little effect
> on color gamut with a -3% ink density setting? . . .
> 

If you were using PrintFIX PRO, I would tell you to go to the Media Setting 
Test Print page, and print it at all available media settings, and once you had 
selected one, at a range of ink density reductions, and to study the results 
to see what the optimum choice for balancing shadow detail and gamut is for 
your printer/paper/ink combo, using the example images in the help file for 
assistance. With other tools, you are on your own to perform, and interpret these 
steps. Actually, I believe you can still access the latest version of PrintFIX 
PRO from the US site (www.colorvision.com) without any type of restriction. 
You could download it, and use it in demo mode to perform these checks.

The next version of PrintFIX PRO (which should be a free upgrade to all exist
ing users) will have advanced tools for controlling shadow detail, among many 
other new features. Also (this being a black and white list) there will be new 
black and white features as well. Keep an eye on Photokina for more info.

>   Can you
> recommend either Cathy's profiles or inkjetart.com to use as a
> profiling service?
> 
Cathy certainly has many fans. I've worked more with Chromix. And our old 
partner Pantone has decided, rather late in the game, to offer profiling 
services. I suspect they may charge a premium for the Pantone name however. But my 
suggestion is to build your own, its more direct, offers more control, and I 
certainly couldn't imagine doing it any other way these days.

C. David Tobie
Product Technology Manager
ColorVision Business Unit
Datacolor Inc.
CDTobie@...
www.colorvision.com


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