QTR-Quadtone RIP

Hi Arno,

I am aiming to build a system based on an EPSON printer where I could
> print from carbon (warm) to cool using 7 shades of pure carbon with
> EPSON LC and LM. While I am quite experienced in standard profiling and
> printing and also using standard piezo, I stuck in understanding if and
> how I could profile such a system.
>

Take a look at http://www.paulroark.com/BW-Info/4000-6K-Plus.pdf and the
QTR profiles in my Profile zip file --
http://www.paulroark.com/BW-Info/4000-6K-Plus-Profiles.zip

* The setup would be 7 shades of pure carbon + LC + LM.
>
In addition to the 6 shades I used (5 being glossy compatible and 1 --
Eboni MK -- being used just for matte), MIS has what we called and "EZ"
inkset that uses a carbon that can span from paper white to the K.  It's
lighter than LK.

You can also mix whatever density you like from the MIS PK and MIS amber
base (aka "glop").


 In the case

> of Piezo inks, which I know better, I would also need GLOP and matte
> black. Is such a setup "profilable" by a standard human being that I
> hope to be :-) ??
>
Yes.  I don't really like glop that much.  The MIS carbons use that as the
base already.  So, while they are not totally bronzing free, on many papers
they are essentially bronzing free.

I also don't like the way QTR deals with white paper gloss differential.
 In QTR all inks at the paper white are turned off.  So, you have to fool
the software by having the files start at 254 instead of 255.

Note that one question at the outset is if you want glossy compatibility.
 If not, the dilute Eboni inks are more neutral and allow a neutral print
that uses less color inks.

> * My idea is to profile 2 tints for each paper : warm (carbon only)
> and cool (through the printing of LC and LM) and then I could compute
> any variation in between.
>

Yes, and sliders in QTR allow that.


I read a lot about profiling, but I am still
> very confused about the way I can profile a paper for such a purpose.
> Print a step wedge for each cartridge and use QuadTone Profiler to
> compute the curves ?
>

I think my most complete write up may be at
http://www.paulroark.com/BW-Info/Eboni-4-Plus.pdf , starting at page 11.

Of course the easiest thing is to use profiles by others or just linearize
already made curves.

>
> * Also, better choose PIEZO Carbon inks or EBONY inks ? Which one is
> better ?
>


Jon's 100% carbon sepia is good.  The rest I'm not too enthused about.
 And, of course, his inks are more expensive than MIS's.

Remember that MIS has 2 carbon lines -- glossy compatible and matte only
(Eboni).  The glossy compatible also print on matte paper, but use the
Eboni MK.   The 4000 6K+ setup I am using for glossy printing (URL above)
is a very flexible approach that is close to what you're looking for.

Let me know if you have more questions.

Good luck with the system.

Paul

By the way, what printer are you going to use?  Which inkset approach to
use may vary by printer.


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