QTR-Quadtone RIP

Scott,

 > I printed the 21 step wedge and measured the values with my spectro.
 > Oddly the 100% patch only read a density of 1.603 where the 100% black
 > patch from the calibration/separation page reads 1.701. That is a big
 > difference but I figured that linearizing would fix it.
 >
 > After linearizing the 21 step target has beautiful separation all the
 > way through and looks very good. Except... the 100% black patch still
 > measures 1.61. This does not seem near what this paper/ink combo can
 > achieve (UT2 on Innova Fiba-Print) since I measured over 1.7 on the
 > separation page. The ink limit is set to 70% and the black boost is 100.
 >
 > Is this normal? Should I expect to be able to get a DMax of 1.7???
 >

This is a common problem and you will find various discussions relating 
to dmax if you search through the archives. I would start by looking at 
the overlap figure on the gray curve tab. In theory a figure of 0 for 
overlap and 100% ink limit or black boost should give you exactly the 
same black patch reading as the calibration page. Figures greater than 
zero determine how much the inks overlap with each other including the 
black & darkest grey overlap. In other words some dark grey will be laid 
down with the black. Sometimes this helps dmax, sometimes it worsens it.

Another thing to consider is whether the readings for the 70% - 100% 
patches on the calibration page give you a consistent increase. If not 
you may be over-inking the paper and cannot expect to get consistent 
densities.

Howard