Digital BW, The Print

Hi,

I've been reading the forum messages for some time and have learned a lot.
On the other hand, I still have just one printer and the standard color ink
set.

I am attempting to print using duotones and quadtones.  I use digital
cameras and Photoshop6 and a Canon S800 printer.  I profile my monitor and
my printer.

I am a little confused about the proper Photoshop color settings.  In
particular, what should the setting be for the "Gray" working space?  Any
other tips about duotones and Photoshop settings would also be appreciated.

Thanks for your help and the interesting forum.

Fred Rothenberg

Hi Carolyn,
I'm just getting into the duo-/tri-/quadtone thing, both as a way to avoid
some of the frustrations of getting "neutral" B&W with Epson CcMmYKk, and
because I like some of the effects I've seen. The possibilities are of
course infinite. Curious to know what printer/ink combo you are using to do
yours, and what "looks" you tend to go for (e.g., a more subtle platinum
effect vs. a more colorful sepia, etc.). I know the settings can get
complex, but would it be possible to share some favorite recipes as a
starting point in my explorations?
TIA,
Doug

> Date: Thu, 13 Feb 2003 21:50:39 -0700
> From: Carolyn Frayn <carolynfrayn@...>
> Subject: Re: Duotone printing
> 
> 
> On Thursday, February 13, 2003, at 06:09  PM, Jim Panzer wrote:
> 
>> I am a little confused about the proper Photoshop color settings.  In
>> particular, what should the setting be for the "Gray" working space?
>> Any
>> other tips about duotones and Photoshop settings would also be
>> appreciated.
> 
> A long time ago a very wise fellow told me to use Gamma 2.2, something
> about it matching the gamma of Adobe (1998) RGB, the color space I
> prefer to use... I might have screwed that up, so he can correct me if
> my reasoning is wrong, but the space isn't...  ;)
> 
> I prefer the tri or quad's over the duo's for inkjet output. As has
> been pointed out, Michael Reichmann has a good tutorial. You can also
> achieve a nice amount of toning using levels, and sometimes the
> colorize feature in "hue/saturation" while in RGB. I find it depends on
> the image, as sometimes the hue/sat method can lend a cast, rather than
> map the tones with great depth as the Duotone method does. And
> sometimes the mid slider approach in levels can alter the compression
> and expansion in a displeasing manner.
> Carolyn

I guess I started this thread but I probably messed up my question.

I am experimenting with duotones and quadtones for printing b/w images on my
CanonS800 (with standard color ink tanks) from digital camera color photos.
I am only using duotone and quadtones that are blacks and grays. Now maybe I
can restate my questions.

When saving the duotone image in Photoshop, is the image saved and printed
in Photoshop's native .psd gray format or is it converted back to RGB before
printing.

If it is left as a duotone image in the .psd gray format, is there a
standard or preferred Photoshop working space gray setting (e.g. dot gain
20%, gamma, etc.) given that I use an inkjet printer?

Thanks for your patience and help.

Fred Rothenberg

>
> I am experimenting with duotones and quadtones for printing b/w images 
> on my
> CanonS800 (with standard color ink tanks) from digital camera color 
> photos.
> I am only using duotone and quadtones that are blacks and grays. Now 
> maybe I
> can restate my questions.
>
> When saving the duotone image in Photoshop, is the image saved and 
> printed
> in Photoshop's native .psd gray format or is it converted back to RGB 
> before
> printing.

It is saving a gray file, untagged, with the contrast curves for each 
of your choosen inks being saved with it. You have asked two questions, 
the other about printing the file. A duotone file sent to the epson 
print driver still makes available choosing your ink/paper profile, but 
same as source is not available.  if you convert the duotone file to 
RGB prior to printing the same holds of course regarding the printer's 
profile but you can also choose same as source if you prefer to use the 
drivers color controls.

>
> If it is left as a duotone image in the .psd gray format, is there a
> standard or preferred Photoshop working space gray setting (e.g. dot 
> gain
> 20%, gamma, etc.) given that I use an inkjet printer?

I use Gamma 2.2, convert your properly prepared RGB file to Gamma 2.2, 
then to duotone.
Carolyn