QTR-Quadtone RIP

Frans

Here are some things you can try

1. Try to gain a quantitative comparison of the prints you are
comparing. Print a 21 step wedge using QTR and the Epson driver using
your regular work flow. Measure all the steps (ideally with a
densitometer or spectro, but a scanner might be accurate enough) and
report the results.

2. For an image you wish to print with QTR, enable the softproof for
QTR-RGB Matte Paper. With the softproof visible add a Curve adjustment
layer to adjus the contrast a bit more to your liking. 

In general, unless the Epson driver can deliver greater dmax than QTR
(which would be shown in the measurements above), then both drivers
are only allocating the tones between paper white and dmax. The gamma
  of the print space governs that mapping, I think.

Tom Moore

--- In QuadtoneRIP@yahoogroups.com, "fwaterlander" <frans2001@...> wrote:
>
> Tom,
> 
> As far as I can tell, I'm doing all the things I am supposed to do. I 
> use the QTR profile for my Epson 2200 with Enhanced Matte Paper and 
> Epson inks (Printer <Quad2200>, Curve UC-EEnhMatte-cool, -coolSe, -
> Sepia or -warm). PS Proof Colors, once I set it up right, shows me 
> that a significant flattening of the image will occur in print and 
> when I print the image that gets confirmed very clearly.
> 
> I view my prints in SoLux 5000K light and view the QTR prints right 
> next to the prints made with the Epson driver, all after at least an 
> hour of drying and the differences are very obvious.
> 
> So, I'm afraid that your statement that it isn't so, isn't so.
> 
> The fact that Proof Colors shows no noticeable change for the Epson 
> route but shows significant change for the QTR route and the obvious 
> differences between the actual prints seems to indicate to me that 
> the QTR profile/method is introducing some very noticeable tonality 
> shifts, as compared to the Epson route.
> 
> So I am still grasping for straws! What else can I try and have other 
> people had similar issues?
> 
> Frans Waterlander
> 
> --- In QuadtoneRIP@yahoogroups.com, "Tom Moore" <r.t.moore@> wrote:
> >
> > Frans
> > 
> > In a nutshell, this isn't so.
> > 
> > If you use a curve for a paper ink combination for which it was
> > designed, you should be able to get the deepest blacks possible 
> witth
> > that printer/paper/ink and it should be much more neutral (or
> > consistently toned) than a print using the Epson driver. There are
> > many expert B&W printers who extoll the benefits of QTR
> > 
> > I can't see your Epson results; I can't see your QTR results and I
> > don't know the conditions under which you are viewing prints and the
> > monitor. All I can do is explain the process as best I can. That 
> I've
> > done. I can also urge you to keep trying QTR, because I know it 
> works.
> > 
> > Good luck
> > 
> > Tom Moore
> > 
> > I should also point out that, of course, you can tweak the image 
> while
> > viewing it using the softproof for the paper you plan to print it 
> on. 
> > 
> > --- In QuadtoneRIP@yahoogroups.com, "fwaterlander" <frans2001@> 
> wrote:
> > >
> > > Tom,
> > > 
> > > Yes, when I use the Gray Matte Paper profile for Soft Proofing a 
> > > grayscale image or RGB Matte Paper profile for Soft Proofing an 
> RGB 
> > > image, then indeed I see the flattening. However, this doesn't 
> > > resolve the issue; it only shows what I perceive as a major 
> > > deficiency in QTR, namely the severe degradation of the image 
> when 
> > > printed. When I use the Epson driver, I don't get such 
> degradation, 
> > > although I get some coloration that I am trying to avoid by using 
> QTR.
> > > 
> > > So, is this the best I can expect of QTR without creating my own 
> > > special curves (something I want to avoid doing like the plague) 
> or 
> > > tweak every image for overall brightness, shadow darkness and 
> > > contrast before printing with QTR?
> > > 
> > > Please tell me this isn't so!
> > > 
> > > Frans Waterlander
> > > 
> > > --- In QuadtoneRIP@yahoogroups.com, "Tom Moore" <r.t.moore@> 
> wrote:
> > > >
> > > > Frans
> > > > 
> > > > If Simulate Black Ink is grayed out, I suspect that when you 
> are 
> > > setting up
> > > > the View/Proof Setup/Custom... window, you are selecting QTR-
> RGB-
> > > LAB in the
> > > > Device to Simulate pull-down. You need to select a printing 
> > > profile. The
> > > > generic matte one would be QTR-RGB-Matte Paper. Then you should 
> be 
> > > able to
> > > > select Simulate Black Ink - at least I can. It causes a 
> noticeable 
> > > change in
> > > > the visible image.
> > > > 
> > > > If you create a profile for your specific Printer/Ink/Paper 
> > > combination you
> > > > will also be able to select Simulate Paper Color. This causes 
> an 
> > > even more
> > > > noticeable change. My prints are quite close to my monitor soft 
> > > proof this
> > > > way.
> > > > 
> > > > Tom Moore
> > > > 
> > > > > -----Original Message-----
> > > > > From: QuadtoneRIP@yahoogroups.com 
> > > [mailto:QuadtoneRIP@yahoogroups.com] On
> > > > > Behalf Of fwaterlander
> > > > > Sent: Tuesday, February 27, 2007 4:08 PM
> > > > > To: QuadtoneRIP@yahoogroups.com
> > > > > Subject: [QuadtoneRIP] Re: Why are Epson 2200 prints too dark
> > > > > 
> > > > > Tom,
> > > > > 
> > > > > Why is there no mention in the QTRgui Help or User guide 
> about 
> > > what
> > > > > resolution the profiles are based on or how to modify your 
> image 
> > > for
> > > > > different resolutions and how did you find out?
> > > > > 
> > > > > I get excellent monitor-to-print matching using the Epson 
> driver 
> > > for
> > > > > both color and b&w images. Of course the Epson driver has its
> > > > > limitations for b&w images that I hope to overcome with QTR.
> > > > > 
> > > > > When I use the Proof Colors feature in my PS CS per your 
> > > suggestions
> > > > > (Simulate Black Ink is grayed out), I do not see any change 
> when
> > > > > toggling between straight display mode and Proof Colors mode.
> > > > > 
> > > > > Your help is greatly appreciated.
> > > > > 
> > > > > Frans Waterlander
> > > > 
> > > > ...
> > > > 
> > > > >
> > > >
> > >
> >
>