Digital BW, The Print

Hello Rick,

>Am I right in thinking that if I decide to use Ultrasmooth as the 
>media setting for this paper then I should try and aim to get the 
>whole image tonal range 'under' the max Dmax step for this paper? 

Ideally dmax will occur on the 100% patch.  Whether a particular media
setting is best for a given paper is another matter.  I know that
reversals can occur because of an improper ink load setting.  I'm not
sure whether reversals can be caused by a media setting.  If the
bottom point of a media setting curve is at 0,0 then it shouldn't
affect dmax.  But we don't know what those curves are doing, so some
experimenting must be done.


>If so I guess I could achieve this goal in either of 2 ways:
>i) Add an adjustment levels/curves layer so that a 0 input results in
>an RGB output of 5. Add this layer before printing

I wouldn't recommend this approach.  An RGB value of 0 should produce
dmax in the print.  Otherwise you'll always be chasing smoke.  Better
to find the ideal printer settings for every paper.  On principle it's
not a good idea to be adjusting the image to make up for improper
printer settings.


>ii)Use the colour density settings in the printer driver to reduce
>the ink load (same as color density ?) until the max Dmax has been
> moved to Step 100

Yes. In my 2400 driver it's under a button called "Ink Config", which
pops up a window with the Color Density slider.  I have found this
makes a significant difference.  Try reducing the load by a few % for
any wedge that shows a reversal (for example, on my printer -5%
produces best result on VFA).  Try increasing the load for any wedge
that doesn't have a reversal, to see if greater dmax can be obtained.
 That paper might be capable of more dmax if it had more ink.  You
have to find the sweet spot for each paper.  I'll be interested to
know what you find out.

Regards,
Clayton


Info on black and white digital printing at    
http://www.cjcom.net/digiprnarts.htm
I-Trak 2.1   http://www.cjcom.net/itrak.htm