QTR-Quadtone RIP

Wow, those are some pretty hefty DMax values. You must be on Glossy  
stock.

I would concur with Jeff on this. I have wrestled endlessly with this  
very issue and tried lots of little tricks to work around it.

Then, I finally broke down and just chose a lower K ink limit and all  
of the problems went away.

I had been choosing the max K patch where the ink didn't get any  
darker at all, versus the first one that visually appeared the darkest.

Basically, be conservative. Choose the max K patch where you can  
REALLY see a difference in the next lighter patch. Not the one that  
is .02 darker in DMax.

You might not be choosing the darkest value your printer is capable  
of producing, but your prints will be noticeably smoother in shadow  
transition.

After you are done and everything looks great, then play with BOOSTK  
and GREYOVERLAP if you want to really push the envelope. My  
experience is  that the benefits are more cerebral than visual.  
Smoothness is more important than Dmax.

If you are getting Dmax over 2.0 your are splitting hairs any way.

Good luck.

James Haney


On Sep 11, 2007, at 2:49 PM, alistair_owens wrote:

> Hi All,
>
> I am currently attempting for the first time to build some curves in
> QTR for some new papers I am trying. I am using a ColorVision
> measuring device. I am using Epson Ultrachrome inks. I am working
> through Tom Moore's very comprehensive instructions.
>
> I have some questions about the Characterizing the Ink Paper
> Combination process:
> 1. I assume we are only concerned about the black strip on the
> printout to assess ink limit. Is that correct?
>
> 2. My black strip looks very blocked up at the darker end. This is
> confirmed by measurements as follows:
> 55%	1.87
> 60%	2.00
> 65%	2.05
> 70%	2.07
> 75%	2.13
> 80%	2.16
> 85%	2.20
> 90%	2.22
> 95%	2.23
> 100%	2.23
> Based on this data, I am tempted to use a limit of 75%. Is this a
> prudent interpretation or would 85% be better?
>
> 3. I tried 70% just to experiment and the darkest swatch measures
> 2.1 - does mean that if I use a 70% ink limit that my dmax becomes
> 2.1 on that particular paper?
>
> 4. Assuming the answer to (3) above is yes, is the whole
> characterization process about optimising the compromise between dmax
> and blocked up shadows?
>
> Any and all responses very much appreciated.
>
> Thanks and regards
>
> Alistair Owens
> owens@...
>
>
> 



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