Digital BW, The Print

"robert49brake" <robert49brake@...> wrote:

(This is a corrected posting.)


> > Eboni-6 dilutions -- 30, 18, 9, 6, and 2. ...

> I've been working on a monotone inkset based on the HP black 
> and C-6 base using the Eboni-6 dilution ratios.

Keep in mind that the Eb6 dilution ratios are based on the denser Eboni ink.  As such, your inkset is lighter than the already highly diluted Eboni-6 inkset.

> It's running in an 1800 with Eboni for the
> MK and 100% Vivera Black for the PK and MIS Glop in the GO
> position. The goal is a K-6 printer for both matte and glossy...



I had some HP-based dilute inksets running for a while, and had no problems with them.

> Qtr has been quite a challenge although workable with the rough 
> spots in the deep shadows and unsmooth gradients.

Again, note that you're inkset is lighter than you might have intended.


With respect to the use of Create ICC, you should get results with the ICC that look just like an RGB test file printed with the curve -- except with the ICC you also drag in the Lab L values and thus
linearize the system.

My general discussion of Create ICC-RGB is at 
http://www.paulroark.com/BW-Info/Embedding_Photoshop_Curves_in_ICCs.pdf


> I also wonder if there is some unseen magic going on with the Epson driver ...

It's just a dumb black box mapping that maps the same input to the same output,assuming the settings are the same.

I'd recommend that you start simple. Get an inkset that produces a ramp that is fairly good with just the Epson driver before going to an ICC or curves. Don't go with a ramp that has any sharp kinks in it.

I think 1.5 pl printers don't need a 2% PK ink -- way light. Recall again that the Eboni is denser than PK.  The dark ink standard used in matte inksests has been about the same as 30% Eboni.  This dark matte gray is almost as dark as HP PK undiluted.  18% Eboni is close to LK, which is about 30% PK. 

So, I suspect a darker inkset might be better.  The standard MIS dark gray is very close to 50% PK.  The standard light carbon is another 30% dilution (or about 50% standard LK).  These standard dark and light inks give a good result with most Epson printers, but the light end is not quite smooth enough on 3.5 pl printers for some. However, those standard dilutions gives you an idea of what dilutions actually result in a good Epson driver ramp.  Eboni-6 is lighter and works OK, but using Eboni-6 dilutions when you're starting with a PK is going to be very light.  This might work fine, but it might also make the darkest gray to K transition a bit rougher than optimum.  So, I'd consider darkening your mix.



Paul
www.PaulRoark.