Digital BW, The Print

Hi all,

Using an Epson 3800 with K3 inks and Hahnemule Photo Rag Pearl and 
using Epson ABW driver. I am trying to increase Dmax and to check (and 
if necessary adjust) the linearity of the output. My questions are:

1. Dmax is a little disappointing at around 2.0 to 2.1. I have heard of 
2.3 to 2.4 from this paper/ink combination. Is there a setting in Epson 
ABW to lay down more ink or any other way to increase Dmax? At this 
stage would prefer to stick with ABW rather than 3rd party RIP.

2. I wish to check the linearity of the output. To do this I am 
printing a 21 step gray scale and then checking the results against the 
tables in the Tom Moore's QTR RIP user guide which purport to give 
ideal linearity responses for a variety of Dmax levels. Using the Dark 
setting in ABW (supposedly provides the most linear result), I find the 
results are a fair way off being linear. Is this a valid method to 
check linearity?

3. Then if I want to control linearity, can I do this using a Photoshop 
curve to make an ICC profile. If so should I use an rgb curve or a 
grayscale mode curve? Or is there a way in ABW to control linearity?

Many thanks for all and any contributions!

regards

Alistair Owens
owens@...