Digital BW, The Print

Well I had the day off and wasn't it nice to get my sample pack.  I made time to 
print.

I picked a full tone image.  2200 printer using BO method with Ebony.   I print 
mostly with Epson EEM and make finals if needed on PR.   I always need to 
add a curve of extra black or  maybe go minus 5-8 on brightness and plus 5-8 
on contrast.  That usually gives me a PR print I like.

I downloaded the HM profiles for the Condor and Merlin, and I have a 
question about that later on.

I only tried 3 of the HM papers, Condor BW (bright white) Merlin smooth and 
Merlin photo.    So far I like the Condor  BW best.  I only had 2 sheets of each 
so I couldn't really get the print exactly the way I want.  Merlin smooth was 
very pale compared to Merlin photo.  I just need to get more paper  to try.  

 Per HM suggestion I printed as watercolor paper in the paper choice 
pulldown and not as EEM

I wish HM made the papers I think I like in 8.5x11.  Most seem to start at 
13x19.

Now about profiles.  The HM site says to put the profiles  (Mac OSX 10.2.8)  in 
users/library/colorsync/profiles.  I did that.  When you go to pick the paper to 
print on there weren't any new choices, just the same papers that appear with 
a 2200 and matt black ink.   Should I see the HM papers there?   Did I need to 
restart or something?

One other thing.  On one of my 2 sheets of Condor I  didn't set it to black ink.  It 
was left on color by mistake.   I got a cool grey print, really kina nice.  Very 
"Kodak" in tone and no changes in print color under every light source I can 
find in the house. 

So I need more of this stuff to try and I need to figure out if I have the profiles 
loaded and working right.

Hello neilsphoto,

>Merlin smooth was very pale 

It has a very long straight line section with a short toe.  It
requires a slight contrast curve to punch it up.  It gives a huge
amount of control for an image with important midtones - very pretty.


>I just need to get more paper to try.  

I usually cut my samples down to smaller sizes for trials, so I can
experiment a bit.


 
>I wish HM made the papers I think I like in 8.5x11.  Most seem 
>to start at 13x19.

They will sell them smaller, just ask on the phone.  They are very
good folks.


 
>Now about profiles...there weren't any new choices, just the 
>same papers that appear with a 2200 and matt black ink.   
>Should I see the HM papers there?   Did I need to 
>restart or something? ...I need to figure out if I have the 
>profiles loaded and working right.

I'm not sure if profiles make any difference in BO printing.   Aren't
profiles suposed to affect the mixing of multiple inks?  Anybody know
about this?

Thanks for the report.


Regards,
Clayton


Info on black and white digital printing at    
http://www.cjcom.net/digiprnarts.htm