Digital BW, The Print

I am confused about "profiles" and "curves."  I currently use neutral 
(no tones) B&W inkset.  If I have profiled my printer/paper/ink 
combination, why would I need a curve?

Thanks,
Earl

> I am confused about "profiles" and "curves."  I currently use neutral
> (no tones) B&W inkset.  If I have profiled my printer/paper/ink
> combination, why would I need a curve?

You may not need a curve.  It's just one way to "profile" the inkset.  With
a monotone inkset the main goal is to get an even distribution of print
densities that visually match what you see on the monitor.  

Although the newer inksets I've worked with tend to print reasonably well
with no curves as long as the Epson driver settings are as specified, most
papers print slightly differently.  So, to get the same relative density
(and tone where applicable) distribution across different paper types, and
to achieve a better match to the monitor, I usually have different curves
for different papers.  Lately I've been putting these curves into ICCs,
using Roy's "Create ICC-RGB" program.  However, many using the Epson 220 and
UT-R2 inkset, for example, find that the printer with no curve or ICC prints
about the same as when one is used.

Hope this helps.

Paul
www.PaulRoark.com

I understand a little better now.  So by using the create ICC 
program, you're using a curve to create a profile that you would use 
the same way as a profile that you've created with your colorimeter?

Or I'm still confused why not just use the colorimeter?  Would it be 
that you've generated a profile to get linearity and screen matching, 
then add curve to adjust warmer to cooler depending on the inkset?

Thanks,
Earl


--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "Paul Roark" 
<paul.roark@...> wrote:
>
> > I am confused about "profiles" and "curves."  I currently use 
neutral
> > (no tones) B&W inkset.  If I have profiled my printer/paper/ink
> > combination, why would I need a curve?
> 
> You may not need a curve.  It's just one way to "profile" the 
inkset.  With
> a monotone inkset the main goal is to get an even distribution of 
print
> densities that visually match what you see on the monitor.  
> 
> Although the newer inksets I've worked with tend to print 
reasonably well
> with no curves as long as the Epson driver settings are as 
specified, most
> papers print slightly differently.  So, to get the same relative 
density
> (and tone where applicable) distribution across different paper 
types, and
> to achieve a better match to the monitor, I usually have different 
curves
> for different papers.  Lately I've been putting these curves into 
ICCs,
> using Roy's "Create ICC-RGB" program.  However, many using the 
Epson 220 and
> UT-R2 inkset, for example, find that the printer with no curve or 
ICC prints

> about the same as when one is used.
> 
> Hope this helps.
> 
> Paul
> www.PaulRoark.com
>