Digital BW, The Print

The variable-tone inkset workflow is sensitive to color settings.  Here is
how my machine is set up, and thus what the 1160 curves were written for:

General Photoshop color settings:
	Hit Edit;
	On the pull-down menu hit Color Settings.

In the Color Settings box, in the top space where it says "Settings," put
"Photoshop 5 Default Spaces."  That sets everything below, including a
version of sRGB.

That takes care of the general Photoshop settings.

The Epson driver also has some settings relating to color that are
important.

In the first, "Print" dialog box, at the bottom, the "Print Space" should be
set to "Same As Source."

Next, go through the Setup and Properties boxes to the "Advanced" box.
Here, the Color Management section at the top right should have the "Color
Controls" option checked.  For the 1160 the Mode should be on Automatic.
(This differs for different printers.)

In general, I've tried to use the most generic settings.  Also, I try to
avoid any profiles that might be embedded in the image file.  (If there is
one Photoshop asks whether you want to use the embedded profile.  You
don't.)

Let us know how it goes.

Paul
http://www.PaulRoark.com


What about driver settings:

Source: Adobe RGB or sRGB
Space: Same as Source
Custom, Color Controls, Automatic

Use Adobe RGB for your RGB space, and Gamma 2.2 for your grayscale space
(subject to correction from Jerry or Paul or Mike) it's working for my mix.

That's what it was for the Piezo/Gen blend, not sure about MIS.

I'd check the MIS site for latest curves and workflow info. Follow the links
for Paul's VT method.

My only gripe with your black-only method is that it mimics the grain of
your image, but it doesn't reproduce it. There is bound to be circumstances
where the two different "grain" sources conflict with each other. A good
quad setup will describe your image, not recreate it.

I also recommend trying over sharpening, as Tyler suggested. Not as a rule
per se, but certainly as a test. But first you've got to get rid of that
posterization, or you'll never get the right pear. As Jerry suggested, make
sure your inks are in the right positions. All suppliers have been known to
sell inks in wrongly labeled bottles. It's possible you got two bottles of
inks which are the same density!

I just participated in the 30 print exchange, and I can assure you none of
the contributors to that are suffering from posterization. It's not normal.
Don't settle!

Todd

>The variable-tone inkset workflow is sensitive to color settings.  Here is
>how my machine is set up, and thus what the 1160 curves were written for:
>
>General Photoshop color settings:
>	Hit Edit;
>	On the pull-down menu hit Color Settings.
[etc.]

Paul -

Thank you very much indeed. I have printed out your message and will follow
its instructions as soon as I get home.

I very much hope this works out: the thought of spending the next month
mixing and testing inks makes my skin crawl.

Just to confirm, in case you don't see the other message in which I posted
it, my nozzle checks on the 1160 look like this:

	First row:
	Three panels, all densest black (= K cartridge)

	Second row, L to R:
		Very pale (? = 25%)
		Almost black (? = 75%)
		Medium blue (toner = yellow = 50%).

Is that the correct sequence? If not, then all bets are off and MIS is
going to hear from me real quick...

>Let us know how it goes.

You bet I will. Thanks again,

-- Nick

NICHOLAS HARTMANN                                +1 (414) 271-4890
611 N. Broadway, Suite 509                  fax: +1 (414) 271-4892
Milwaukee, WI 53202, USA                       polyglot@...

Technical and scientific translator:  German and French -> English