Digital BW, The Print

You might also wish to create your gradient in 16 bit instead of 8 
bit.  16 bit has so many levels of gray that they tend to look much 
smoother on print out.  

FWIW, I find 2880 give me a better Dmax and smoother output.  That is 
what I use for all my QTR profiles.  This is on a 2200 and a 4000.  

Lou

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "robert49brake" 
<robert49brake@...> wrote:
>
> --- In 
DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "alistair_owens" 
<owens@> 
> wrote:
> >
> > I use an Epson 2100 with Epson UC inks and have been 
experimenting 
> > with QTR to see if I can optimise the print quality. I have 
ordered 
> > some Piezography inks so while I am awaiting their arrival I want 
to 
> > establish a benchmark of what the Epson inks can achieve if 
> > optimised. 
> > I like the warm tones I get by just using the Mk and Lk inks but 
like 
> > the smoothness I get when I add a little LM and LC to cool the 
print 
> > a little. To see if I can improve smoothness in warm prints I 
have 
> > been trying printing at 2880 dpi. I built some linearised curves 
> > using my newly acquired Printfix Pro 2 (I love that little toy) 
for 
> > 2880 printing (ink limit ended up at 37!). I used Epson Archival 
> > Matte paper (called Enhanced Matt I believe in most countries) 
for 
> > the experiments discussed above together with Epson Mk and Lk.
> > 
> > After a lot of time, ink and paper expended I have to report that 
I 
> > cannot see any appreciable difference compared to the prints made 
at 
> > 1440 dpi.
> > 
> > Also, to validate the linearity of my linearisations, I printed a 
> > radial gradient. Again I was a little disappointed to see some 
> > distinct steps that make my radial gradient look a little like a 
> > bullseye target.
> > 
> > My questions of the group are:
> > 
> > 1) Are my findings regarding 1440 vs 2880 printing consistent 
with 
> > the experience of others or should I persist?
> > 
> > 2) Can I reasonably expect a smooth radial gradient from just K 
and 
> > LK on an Epson 2100?
> > 
> > 3) If so how do I "tweak" the linearisation to achieve the smooth 
> > radial gradient? Bear in mind I have already linearised using the 
the 
> > tool in QTR.
> > 
> 
> Hello Alistair, I don't print with a 2100 so I can't comment on the 
1440/2880 issue but I 
> have a comment on the radial gradient and this has come up before 
in other forums.  What 
> is the source of the radial gradient?  I have made them in PS and 
they will show banding 
> on their own.  I have also moved a radial gradient from one monitor 
to another and 
> watched the banding change.  Everyone assumes the gradient is 
perfectly smooth and any 
> banding is the result of the printer but I am not convinced of 
that.  Many think the 
> algorithm used by PS for gradients is the culprit.  Others suggest 
different blurring 
> techniques when making the gradient.
> 
> Somewhere inside QTR you can find a document: Ideal Densities for 
Given dMax Values for 
> a 21 step wedge.  I think this is a more useful tool.  You can also 
add your own curves 
> before linearization to smooth the gradient allowing the linearize 
function to have to do 
> only the fine tuning.  Creating the Curves, I believe, differs 
between Mac and QTR GUI.  I 
> have only a tenuous grasp of the concept myself for Macs creating 
them in text mode, but 
> the info is out there and perhaps others can give you a better 
direction.
> 
> Robert
>