Digital BW, The Print

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, Terry Ritz <t.ritz@...> wrote:
> 
> So, it sounds like Gutenprint under Gimp provides RIP functionality. Do I
> have that correct? 
> 
Yes.It has an array of tools that offer full control over the printer and ink set for a large number of different printers.

>If so, will I gain much going this route if I'm simply
> printing with OEM inks (e.g. K3)?
>
No. I don't think you would need a rip if all you are doing is printing color using the oem solution. You will though if you start down the road of changing relationships between black/grays and RGB mixes as grays from those established by the manufacturer.
> 
> Yes, the ArgyllCMS mailing list looks pretty active (I assume that's the
> forum you're referring to).
>
That is an excellent forum for learning the ins and outs of Argyl as well as digging deeply into the various types of profiles and connections and their uses. There are folks posting there that know far more than I likely will ever have time to learn. I actually was referring though to the QTR forum which you apparently already know about.
My understanding, possibly in error, is that you want to control the actual tint of your chosen inks, ie: the peizo B&W ones, beyond what you can get with different paper choices alone and I believe that you mentioned wanting to do so with a minimum of color inks introduced into the mix.
If so, you can get that by using the QTR software itself without the need for Argyl or Gutenprint at all. It's facilities aren't restricted to oem inks or their matches and as a rip itself it offers more direct control than the oem drivers do as I understand it. IMO it would allow a much shorter learning curve and time to success than the other route offers.
If, however, you want to substitute the peizo inks for the normal grays in a full oem set and still produce color prints from the result as well, you will have to go the profiling software and a RIP way as has been mentioned before here and in the Argyl forum.

Regards,
Duane
>