Digital BW, The Print

Am using Epson R280 with MIS warmtone inks.  Tried Ilford Galerie
Smooth  Pearl (using PK black) with the R260 ICC profile downloaded
from Paul's site.  I assumed (perhaps incorrectly) that the R260
profile would work since my printer is close (newer) cousin of the R260.  
Print was disappointingly dark.  Skin tones like mahogany wood.
My monitor is not calibrated but color on my Canon Pixma ip4300 comes
out great and very similar to the monitor.

Is there some other trick I do not know?  I got a good print on the
Ilford paper without the profile and +17 brightness set in the Epson
print driver. Similar result on Staples Supreme Satin paper. 

Aside from the tone my prints are very good. 

This printer/ink/paper combo seems to just print dark for me.  Any
comments appreciated.

Dave

Hi Dave,


> Am using Epson R280 with MIS warmtone inks.

I assume you mean the UT-RC B&W inks by MIS at this site:

http://www.inksupply.com/r260_blackandwhite.cfm
<http://www.inksupply.com/r260_blackandwhite.cfm>



> Tried Ilford Galerie
> Smooth Pearl (using PK black) with the R260 ICC profile downloaded
> from Paul's site.

My general description of the inkset for the Claria printers is at
http://www.paulroark.com/BW-Info/R260.htm
<http://www.paulroark.com/BW-Info/R260.htm>    Check the settings
carefully.

> I assumed (perhaps incorrectly) that the R260
> profile would work since my printer is close (newer) cousin of the
R260.

That's my assumption also, but I have not tested a 280.


> Print was disappointingly dark. Skin tones like mahogany wood.

The warm version of the UT-RC inkset is pure carbon and is warm, half
way to sepia.

I can't tell what the problem is.   ICCs are specific to the paper, and
the RCW inkset is warm.   If the print is too dark, try the driver with
Color Controls and gamma set to 1.5.  As noted in the settings PDF here
--
http://www.paulroark.com/BW-Info/UT-RC%20Basic%20Driver%20Settings.pdf
<http://www.paulroark.com/BW-Info/UT-RC%20Basic%20Driver%20Settings.pdf>
-- I usually recommend a gamma in the driver set to 2.2, which is dark. 
So if you're getting a dark print even with the gamma at 1.5, there
might be something else wrong.

Paul

www.PaulRoark.com <http://www.PaulRoark.com>





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

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "pr_roark"
<pr_roark@...> wrote:
>
> 
> Hi Dave,
> 
> 
> > Am using Epson R280 with MIS warmtone inks.
> 
> I assume you mean the UT-RC B&W inks by MIS at this site:
> 
> http://www.inksupply.com/r260_blackandwhite.cfm
> <http://www.inksupply.com/r260_blackandwhite.cfm>
> 
> 
> 
> > Tried Ilford Galerie
> > Smooth Pearl (using PK black) with the R260 ICC profile downloaded
> > from Paul's site.
> 
> My general description of the inkset for the Claria printers is at
> http://www.paulroark.com/BW-Info/R260.htm
> <http://www.paulroark.com/BW-Info/R260.htm>    Check the settings
> carefully.
> 
> > I assumed (perhaps incorrectly) that the R260
> > profile would work since my printer is close (newer) cousin of the
> R260.
> 
> That's my assumption also, but I have not tested a 280.
> 
> 
> > Print was disappointingly dark. Skin tones like mahogany wood.
> 
> The warm version of the UT-RC inkset is pure carbon and is warm, half
> way to sepia.
> 
> I can't tell what the problem is.   ICCs are specific to the paper, and
> the RCW inkset is warm.   If the print is too dark, try the driver with
> Color Controls and gamma set to 1.5.  As noted in the settings PDF here
> --
> http://www.paulroark.com/BW-Info/UT-RC%20Basic%20Driver%20Settings.pdf
> <http://www.paulroark.com/BW-Info/UT-RC%20Basic%20Driver%20Settings.pdf>
> -- I usually recommend a gamma in the driver set to 2.2, which is dark. 
> So if you're getting a dark print even with the gamma at 1.5, there
> might be something else wrong.
> 
> Paul
> 
> www.PaulRoark.com <http://www.PaulRoark.com>
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
Thanks Paul for your response.  The only reason I had the courage to
embark on this B&W endeavor and buy a new dedicated printer, ink,
paper etc. was because of the info at your website.  

I can only see 2 setting for gamma in the print driver; 2.2 and 1.8. 
I tried several test prints with 1.8 gamma which were also quite dark
using the QTR_260 Ilford Ilford Galerie Smooth Pearl ICC.  When I went
 to Let Printer Control Colors in PE6 I did get a lighter print with a
gamma of 1.8.  Adding brightness of +10 in the printer driver gave me
a very good print.  I can live with this.
I have some neutral ink on order from MIS and will try that to see if
the ICC works better with the neutral ink.
Thanks again    Dave