Digital BW, The Print

I recently received my first order of Crane Silver Rag in 8.5x11 and
13x19 and tried some test prints on the 2400.  I used the 8.5x11
sheets and had some trouble getting the printer to load the paper
normally from the top.  I tried a number of times to auto load then
printed when I was finally successful.  The first few were ok - used
the Crane's profile, though my calibrated monitor (with eyeone) was
quite a bit lighter than the muddy print. This was disconcerting but
even more is that the most recent print has an ink splotch at the
lower corner and some random ink splatters near the bottom 1/3. 
Before I commit to any more printing I would like to know if anyone
has has a similar experience and any help for a solution. I have been
using the printer fairly sucessfully with ilford galerie smooth papers
- mainly in ABW and using the ilford profiles for toned images.

I had problems with Hahnemuhle Fine Art Pearl when using the normal top
loader.  Try using the single sheet guide where the roll paper goes.
Remember to select Manual-Roll as the printing source.  It talks about it on
page 16 of my manual.

Tom

On 9/20/06, ajberky <alanberkson@...> wrote:
>
> I recently received my first order of Crane Silver Rag in 8.5x11 and
> 13x19 and tried some test prints on the 2400.  I used the 8.5x11
> sheets and had some trouble getting the printer to load the paper
> normally from the top.  I tried a number of times to auto load then
> printed when I was finally successful.  The first few were ok - used
> the Crane's profile, though my calibrated monitor (with eyeone) was
> quite a bit lighter than the muddy print. This was disconcerting but
> even more is that the most recent print has an ink splotch at the
> lower corner and some random ink splatters near the bottom 1/3.
> Before I commit to any more printing I would like to know if anyone
> has has a similar experience and any help for a solution. I have been
> using the printer fairly sucessfully with ilford galerie smooth papers
> - mainly in ABW and using the ilford profiles for toned images.
>
>
>
>
>
>
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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

In a message dated 9/20/06 4:22:05 AM, alanberkson@... writes:


> I recently received my first order of Crane Silver Rag in 8.5x11 and
> 13x19 and tried some test prints on the 2400.  I used the 8.5x11
> sheets and had some trouble getting the printer to load the paper
> normally from the top.
> 
Yes, I've had a bit of trouble loading it in the Canon iPF5000 as well, but 
then, the iPF5000 has trouble with any paper, and this has a curl to it that's 
bound to make it worse.

>   I tried a number of times to auto load then
> printed when I was finally successful.  The first few were ok - used
> the Crane's profile, though my calibrated monitor (with eyeone) was
> quite a bit lighter than the muddy print.
> 
I've been printing on this paper with K3 and iPF5000 printers, and the 
results are far from dark and muddy. I'm using PrintFIX PRO 2.0 profiles and the RGB 
printing mode in the driver, so the prints get linearized and neutralized for 
me, but I still find that using the new Shadow Detail control is useful for 
opening up the very deep shadows on this high D-max paper. This suprised me, as 
that control was added to adjust the clogged shadows on Fine Art papers, and, 
given the coating and black ink used on this paper, I didn't think of it as a 
Matte Art paper, but the same control works wonders, eliminating the 
compression of the deep grays and creating a nearly perfect linearity to the gray 
ramp. Very satisfying!

>  This was disconcerting but
> even more is that the most recent print has an ink splotch at the
> lower corner and some random ink splatters near the bottom 1/3.
> 
That would indicate feed issues that are bringing the head into contact with 
the paper. Try a straight path loading instead.

> Before I commit to any more printing I would like to know if anyone
> has has a similar experience and any help for a solution. I have been
> using the printer fairly sucessfully with ilford galerie smooth papers
> - mainly in ABW and using the ilford profiles for toned images. 
> 
Then you'll find the toning methods in PrintFIX PRO 2.0 interesting, if you 
have the chance to try it out...

C. David Tobie
Product Technology Manager
ColorVision Business Unit
Datacolor Inc.
CDTobie@colorvision.com
www.colorvision.com


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

Is the shadow detail control a profile tweak to get better monitor-to-print
matching, or is something more going on?  I presume the shadows look the way
you want them to on the monitor, and the control gets the print closer to
that look.

Best regards,
John Moody

-----Original Message-----
From: DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com]On Behalf Of
CDTobie@...
 Subject: Re: [Digital BW] Epson 2400 and Silver Rag Printing
<snip> but I still find that using the new Shadow Detail control is useful
for
opening up the very deep shadows on this high D-max paper.


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

In a message dated 9/20/06 11:16:57 AM, moodymz3@... writes:


> Is the shadow detail control a profile tweak to get better monitor-to-print
> matching, or is something more going on?  I presume the shadows look the way
> you want them to on the monitor, and the control gets the print closer to
> that look.
> 

Yes, since Spyder2PRO came out, I have been pretty happy with the level of 
shadow detail on my monitors, and the match to print with most gloss and luster 
media. Matte/Art papers continued to have a localized compression of the 
darkest tones that didn't match the screen, however. So a localized control to 
adjust this made sense. What is so satisfying is to tweak the shadow details +5 
points, just as an empirical guess on Museo Silver Rag, 'cause I didn't like the 
staight results, then to measure the 32 steps on prints through both the 
unadjusted and the adjusted profile (which looked "right" to my eye) and graph the 
L* results for both in Excel, and have the "skitip" at the dark end that 
shows clearly on the standard profile straightened out nicely by the adjustment. 
Sorry about the length of that last sentence, my enthusiasm is showing through <
G>

C. David Tobie
Product Technology Manager
ColorVision Business Unit
Datacolor Inc.
CDTobie@...
www.colorvision.com


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

I too have had a problem with the 8.5 x 11 Crane Silver Rag loading and
feeding correctly.   When I first used the paper earlier this year I had
a problem with the paper curling up at the edges.   I was frankly
surprised that no one else had mentioned this problem and thought I was
unique.  My smudging was on the sides and top of the page.

When I contacted Crane they acknowledged the problem and said they were
working to fix it before the product was released.  It apparently has to
do with the high cotton content of the product.   It was suggested that
high temperature and humidity might be contributing to the curl.

When I finally purchased my first box of paper I found that the problem
was still evident.  The long side of the paper curled on both sides
approx. 3/8".

Since I live in San Francisco I doubt if high temperature is the
problem, but humidity is often above 50%.   I've taken to pressing my
pages under weights so that when I print the paper will stay relatively
flat if I print within a few minutes of inserting the paper into my
Epson 2400 printer.

Not the perfect solution, but it allows me to use the paper.  I hope in
the future Crane resolves the curling issue completely.

Kevin Bradford

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "ajberky"
<alanberkson@...> wrote:
>
> I recently received my first order of Crane Silver Rag in 8.5x11 and
> 13x19 and tried some test prints on the 2400.  I used the 8.5x11
> sheets and had some trouble getting the printer to load the paper
> normally from the top.  I tried a number of times to auto load then
> printed when I was finally successful.  The first few were ok - used
> the Crane's profile, though my calibrated monitor (with eyeone) was
> quite a bit lighter than the muddy print. This was disconcerting but
> even more is that the most recent print has an ink splotch at the
> lower corner and some random ink splatters near the bottom 1/3.
> Before I commit to any more printing I would like to know if anyone
> has has a similar experience and any help for a solution. I have been
> using the printer fairly sucessfully with ilford galerie smooth papers
> - mainly in ABW and using the ilford profiles for toned images.
>



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

I've had smudging problems consistently with Crane Silver Rag.  I've 
only used the 8.5 x 11 size and have found the long sides of the paper 
has a consistent curl which sometimes causes smudging on the sides and 
ends of the pages.   Since no one else mentioned this problem I thought 
it might be unique to me. 

When I first experimented with this paper I had the problem and Crane 
told me that they were working to fix it.  My first box of production 
Silver Rag curled up at the edges by about 3/8 of an inch.  When I 
contacted Crane they thought it might be extreme heat or humidity which 
affected the high cotton content in the product.  Our humidity is often 
over 50% but it's rarely very hot.  

In any case I now stack weights on my paper before using it to make 
sure it's flat.  When I'm ready to use it I pop it in the standard 
sheet feed (which is what Crane recommended) and commence printing 
immediately.  It doesn't take long for the curl to come back….

Kevin Bradford