Digital BW, The Print

Hello. Great forum. Here is a cynical newbie question regarding 
general workflow. 

Is it possible to create final on-screen images without utilizing 
print proofs? In other words, with a calibrated monitor is it safe to 
do your Photoshop work and confidently trust that you can later 
define a suitable printer-profile/ICC profile to produce printed 
output that closely matches the screen?

Of course you would only want to make the profile adjustments once
and 
have them work for your entire body of images, rather than just for
a single image. Am I really asking if ICC standards work at all?

Relevant info:
1. I haven't yet purchased a printer or made the religious commitment 
to inks.
2. Yes, I "trust" my monitor (NEC MultiSync LCD1525x flat panel with 
analog/DVI inputs).
3. I want to develop my photoshop skills and build a small body of
B&W work which will then "tell" me what my printing needs will be.

Suggestions for monitor calibration for B&W work would be welcome too.

Thanks.

Dean Ritz
Missoula, Montana
dritz@...

Dean,

Welcome to the "Great Forum".

I am not sure why you would not want to make a proof print before 
doing final printing. A well calibrated system will allow you see 
what your images will look like when printed, but the subleties of 
the inks and paper combination can not be duplicated on a monitor.

There are some very good flat panels out there, but in my experience 
(I have a Viewsonic 19" in my office) They are very sharp and 
resolution is superb but they do not offer the smooth tonal fidelity 
of a fine CRT. I use my Sony FD Trinitron for Photoshop work, and the 
Viewsonic for CAD work.

Building a body of work is fine, but I think you would want to get a 
printer so that you can view, hold, touch, feel, and experience your 
work. I would jump in with an Epson 1280 and one of the Quad Ink sets 
either from Cone Editions or MIS if you want to do black and white 
work. The 1280 is a "state of the art" printer and produces 
breathtaking images.

I would also but a calibration probe such as the Colorvision Spyder. 
I run mine every couple of weeks. I also have my scanner calibrated 
with an IT-8 target. By calibrating the system, life is easier and 
allows you to work without fighting the hardware.

Mike

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@y..., dritz@m... wrote:
> Hello. Great forum. Here is a cynical newbie question regarding 
> general workflow. 
> 
> Is it possible to create final on-screen images without utilizing 
> print proofs? In other words, with a calibrated monitor is it safe 
to 
> do your Photoshop work and confidently trust that you can later 
> define a suitable printer-profile/ICC profile to produce printed 
> output that closely matches the screen?
> 
> Of course you would only want to make the profile adjustments once
> and 
> have them work for your entire body of images, rather than just for
> a single image. Am I really asking if ICC standards work at all?
> 
> Relevant info:
> 1. I haven't yet purchased a printer or made the religious 
commitment 
> to inks.
> 2. Yes, I "trust" my monitor (NEC MultiSync LCD1525x flat panel 
with 
> analog/DVI inputs).
> 3. I want to develop my photoshop skills and build a small body of
> B&W work which will then "tell" me what my printing needs will be.
> 
> Suggestions for monitor calibration for B&W work would be welcome 
too.

> 
> Thanks.
> 
> Dean Ritz
> Missoula, Montana
> dritz@m...