Digital BW, The Print

Hi all - This is my first post. I have been searching the archives and not finding what I think is out there - i.e. a concise description of the best practices for this setup. 

I have been using MIS UT-14 inks in a CIS from MIS in a epson 1400 connected to a mac running OS 10.6

I have been making prints using the epson driver and I'm sure I can do better. QTR does not list my printer/ink combo so I have not downloaded it yet. 

I like what I get now - is there a description of how I can get the best out of this setup?

Thank you, 

Dean Wenick

"Dean" <deanwenick@...> wrote:
>
> ... a concise description of the best practices for this setup. 
> 
> I have been using MIS UT-14 inks in a CIS from MIS in a epson 1400 connected to a mac running OS 10.6
> 
> I have been making prints using the epson driver and I'm sure I can do better. QTR does not list my printer/ink combo so I have not downloaded it yet. 


QTR will run the 1400 just fine.  There are members of the QTR forum at http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/QuadtoneRIP/messages who have some profiles.


> I like what I get now - is there a description of how I can get the best out of this setup?


My PDF  on the UT14 inkset is  at 
http://www.paulroark.com/BW-Info/UT14.pdf

Keep in mind that I made the UT14 to be a very flexible variable-tone, matte and glossy compatible inkset that could print a variety of tones on lots  of different papers.  I made some basic profiles and curves aimed mostly at the Epson driver.  I assumed, probably incorrectly, that those  who used QTR knew  how to make profiles with it.

I thought, and still do think, that with any inkset one of the first things that one should  learn how to do is  "linearize" inksets or existing profiles by using QTR's tools.  I  think a spectro like  the ColorVision Spyder3Print is definitely worth the money. See http://www.paulroark.com/BW-Info/Spectro.pdf  

However, I also outlined a few procedures that would allow one to use a flatbed scanner for this purpose.  See http://www.paulroark.com/BW-Info/Making_B-W_ICCs-GrayCard.pdf 

Roy Harrington has now made a script for Photoshop that automates the process.  It's  part  of the QTR download, I believe.

The curves I made for the UT14 inkset can be used to make  profiles for new papers.  See http://www.paulroark.com/BW-Info/Embedding_Photoshop_Curves_in_ICCs.pdf

So, in short, custom profiles that you linearize  for your  system is about the best way to get the most out of any inkset.

Another approach to improving your printig is to determine what papers and tones you prefer and move to an inkset that is more specialized for  that particular tone and style of printing. I never actually used the UT14 inkset much because I prefer the longevity and simplicity of 100% carbon pigment printing with Eboni/Carbon-6.  So, that  is my primary target. For those who want to explore  the full range of what digital  printing  can do, UT14 is better.  

Hope this  helps.

Paul
www.PaulRoark.com

Thank you Paul. 
That is clear, I need to learn to make profiles, and buy the hardware - the Spyder has been well worth it for my screen.

Interesting info about the ink. I thought the UT-14 was a carbon ink - I have been printing on Arches watercolor paper thinking I was getting a carbon/cotton print. I did read your website (obviously not thoroughly) before buying the printer and CIS system and I liked your approach and discussion of longevity, economy and simplicity. I was understanding the MIS website as saying UT-14 was the carbon ink specifically for the epson 1400. 

Can I move to a all carbon ink using these cartridges?

Thanks a lot.

Dean

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "Paul" <roark.paul@...> wrote:

>
> "Dean" <deanwenick@> wrote:
> >
> > ... a concise description of the best practices for this setup. 
> > 
> > I have been using MIS UT-14 inks in a CIS from MIS in a epson 1400 connected to a mac running OS 10.6
> > 
> > I have been making prints using the epson driver and I'm sure I can do better. QTR does not list my printer/ink combo so I have not downloaded it yet. 
> 
> 
> QTR will run the 1400 just fine.  There are members of the QTR forum at http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/QuadtoneRIP/messages who have some profiles.
> 
> 
> > I like what I get now - is there a description of how I can get the best out of this setup?
> 
> 
> My PDF  on the UT14 inkset is  at 
> http://www.paulroark.com/BW-Info/UT14.pdf
> 
> Keep in mind that I made the UT14 to be a very flexible variable-tone, matte and glossy compatible inkset that could print a variety of tones on lots  of different papers.  I made some basic profiles and curves aimed mostly at the Epson driver.  I assumed, probably incorrectly, that those  who used QTR knew  how to make profiles with it.
> 
> I thought, and still do think, that with any inkset one of the first things that one should  learn how to do is  "linearize" inksets or existing profiles by using QTR's tools.  I  think a spectro like  the ColorVision Spyder3Print is definitely worth the money. See http://www.paulroark.com/BW-Info/Spectro.pdf  
> 
> However, I also outlined a few procedures that would allow one to use a flatbed scanner for this purpose.  See http://www.paulroark.com/BW-Info/Making_B-W_ICCs-GrayCard.pdf 
> 
> Roy Harrington has now made a script for Photoshop that automates the process.  It's  part  of the QTR download, I believe.
> 
> The curves I made for the UT14 inkset can be used to make  profiles for new papers.  See http://www.paulroark.com/BW-Info/Embedding_Photoshop_Curves_in_ICCs.pdf
> 
> So, in short, custom profiles that you linearize  for your  system is about the best way to get the most out of any inkset.
> 
> Another approach to improving your printig is to determine what papers and tones you prefer and move to an inkset that is more specialized for  that particular tone and style of printing. I never actually used the UT14 inkset much because I prefer the longevity and simplicity of 100% carbon pigment printing with Eboni/Carbon-6.  So, that  is my primary target. For those who want to explore  the full range of what digital  printing  can do, UT14 is better.  
> 
> Hope this  helps.
> 
> Paul
> www.PaulRoark.com
>