Digital BW, The Print

Many months ago a lot of hours, paper and ink were spent using the Epson RIP for the 2200 for B&W printing. Even though enumerable settings were tried, a first class B&W print was not achieved. Different papers were used along with photo black and matte black ink. Finally matte black ink with Epson's Enhanced Matte paper were adopted as the constants. Even though these endeavors were not successful, I thought that another try might be worthwhile. I kept the settings that produced the most acceptable B&W. However the "most acceptable" prints were not really worthy of serious consideration and further trials as it became too frustrating. 

I had been using PS 7 and now PS CS has taken its place. Additionally, Qimage was also used and still is. Qimage has had many upgrades since the RIP stopped being tried. A recent upgrade to Qimage kindled my curiosity again about using the RIP with Qimage. The upgrade has a "select color grid" that could possibly be used to neutralize the tint in B&W prints. Unfortunately that mechanism adds even more variables to the already long list of variables attendant to the RIP.

Has anyone used the Epson RIP with any success? If, so I would very much appreciate exchanging information about paper, inks and, most of all, a list of settings. Too, any hints about its usage would also be most appreciated. Those that have it will no doubt agree that its instruction manual is not helpful. Moreover, the techies at Epson are in the same category.

Peter Palmieri

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Peter,
I contemplated buying a RIP for b/w prints. After reading the horror stories
such as yours of the wasted ink, paper and time. I bought a used 1270 from
Ebay and the b/w CFS kit from MIS. For less then $300 total, every b/w print
is perfect without all the headaches.
I use my 2200 only for color work.

I just bring this up as a possible option for you as well.

Jake

Jake Hellbach Photography
www.jakehellbachphoto.com

  -----Original Message-----
  From: Peter Palmieri [mailto:pcpalmieri@...]


  Many months ago a lot of hours, paper and ink were spent using the Epson
RIP for the 2200 for B&W printing. Even though enumerable settings were
tried, a first class B&W print was not achieved. Different papers were used
along with photo black and matte black ink. Finally matte black ink with
Epson's Enhanced Matte paper were adopted as the constants. Even though
these endeavors were not successful, I thought that another try might be
worthwhile. I kept the settings that produced the most acceptable B&W.
However the "most acceptable" prints were not really worthy of serious
consideration and further trials as it became too frustrating.

  I had been using PS 7 and now PS CS has taken its place. Additionally,
Qimage was also used and still is. Qimage has had many upgrades since the
RIP stopped being tried. A recent upgrade to Qimage kindled my curiosity
again about using the RIP with Qimage. The upgrade has a "select color grid"
that could possibly be used to neutralize the tint in B&W prints.
Unfortunately that mechanism adds even more variables to the already long
list of variables attendant to the RIP.

  Has anyone used the Epson RIP with any success? If, so I would very much
appreciate exchanging information about paper, inks and, most of all, a list
of settings. Too, any hints about its usage would also be most appreciated.
Those that have it will no doubt agree that its instruction manual is not
helpful. Moreover, the techies at Epson are in the same category.

  Peter Palmieri



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Jake, thanks for the reply..

I also have a 1280 but it has a major problem which I am told is with the mother board. The repair bill is almost as much as buying one new. So now I just use it for printing text. 

I have also considered buying Imageprint but have been put off by its price. Especially when there are new Epson machines on the horizon like the 4000.

Peter



  Peter,
  I contemplated buying a RIP for b/w prints. After reading the horror stories
  such as yours of the wasted ink, paper and time. I bought a used 1270 from
  Ebay and the b/w CFS kit from MIS. For less then $300 total, every b/w print
  is perfect without all the headaches.
  I use my 2200 only for color work.

  I just bring this up as a possible option for you as well.

  Jake



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

At 21:19 -0500 17.12.2003, Peter Palmieri wrote:
*******************************************

>Many months ago a lot of hours, paper and ink were spent using the 
>Epson RIP for the 2200 for B&W printing. Even though enumerable 
>settings were tried, a first class B&W print was not achieved. 
>Different papers were used along with photo black and matte black 
>ink. Finally matte black ink with Epson's Enhanced Matte paper were 
>adopted as the constants. Even though these endeavors were not 
>successful, I thought that another try might be worthwhile. I kept 
>the settings that produced the most acceptable B&W. However the 
>"most acceptable" prints were not really worthy of serious 
>consideration and further trials as it became too frustrating.

Epson Stylus RIP is a RIP for prepress  purposes which should help to 
print PostScript and PDF files to Epson printers. Nothing more. To 
use it for such sensitive color work as BW print outs are is not it's 
goal, I'm affraid.

Martin Sluka
--

> Has anyone used the Epson RIP with any success?

I've gotten great results with the RIP on the 2200. Prints come out 
warm-neutral. You might check out message #26960 for my detailed 
workflow with the RIP on the 2200. Workflow is for PC, I'm not 
familiar with the Mac but maybe you could adapt. Good luck.