Digital BW, The Print

In a message dated 8/20/07 11:08:58 AM, madmanchan2000@... writes:


> That's the new HP Z series printers (yes, a lot more than the
> R2400, I realize, both in size and cost).
> 
This offers increased sizes, and internal profiling, but no real advantages 
in terms of number of black inks... and yes, it does its internal profiling, 
but at a cost much higher than an external, more flexible, profiling system. And 
only the Z3100s offer competitive black and white, the lower cost Z2100s have 
both fewer blacks, and fewer color inks.
> 
> But consider what it gives you.
> 
> First, no fiddling with a RIP, funky curves, etc.
> 
It requires a good profile, same as the 2400, but includes tools that allow 
you to build profiles more or less automatically. As long as these are good 
enough, and you don't need to adjust them, its simpler. If you aren't happy with 
the defaults, then you are kind of stuck...
> 
> Second, when you print a B&W image on matte paper, the HP driver
> limits the printer to using the 4 blacks. So you end up essentially
> with a quadtone driver with smooth tonal transitions, minimal
> graininess, and deep blacks. The 4 blacks are all carbon-based so you
> don't have to worry about the color toners.
> 
Using both the matte and gloss blacks at once has minimal value, and occurs 
only on some paper types. Effectively, you get black, dark gray, and light 
gray, same as the 2400. You do get more colors, but that has little effect on B&W 
printing, though it may reduce metamerism on color prints. Personally, if I 
was looking to   move up a bit from the 2400, I wouldn't be looking as far as 
the price of a Z3100, I'd be looking at the much shorter hop to the Epson 3800.

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


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