QTR-Quadtone RIP

> > The workflow that I think is easiest for people to start with is the
> > Epson driver. ...

> This is very easy to use, ...
> ... I wondered how to warm up the print or cool it down. 

> ... if I wanted to "cool" the b&w tone, would I raise the 
> "Cyan" slider on the epson driver up to achieve this? 

The sliders have some control, but I think they are rather ineffective and
often result in poor linearity of the output.  I recommend Photoshop curves,
dropped into ICCs as the best way to control print tones with the Epson
driver.  I've provided some curves for this that should work for most matte
papers. You can see the range of tones these curves cover on page 6 of
http://www.paulroark.com/BW-Info/UT14.pdf 

To make the ICCs, see
http://www.paulroark.com/BW-Info/Embedding_Photoshop_Curves_in_ICCs.pdf 

Of course, QTR rip could also be used to accomplish the same thing.  It's
just a matter of which workflow you're most comfortable with.

> My other confusion is to how the yellow channel works. 
>I know in the yellow position there is GLOP. I am aware 
> that I use Ultra Premium Pres Matte paper at all time 
> (or watercolor), but how do I tell the driver to use glop/yellow?

For matte papers the Glop is largely irrelevant and not used -- except to
turn on the black ink.  (Actually, I do use it some in the warm curve
because it does warm matte papers a bit.)  In RGB curves in PS, the black
ink is turned on as all the curve approach 100%.  So, you'll see the blue
curve moving sharply toward the black point at that end of the graph.

The Blue curve in the PS curves controls the yellow ink.  You have to think
in complementary colors: Red curve controls cyan ink position, Green -
Magenta, Blue - Yellow.

> if I want to use glossy paper then my thinking is I
> need to use the ICC profiles (which I have no issue with).
> But that again brings me to the point of using the Photoshop curves. 
> Do I just apply the curve to the grayscale photo, then click on 
> print with No color adjustments for a glossy print? Or do I use 
> the ICC profile?

You can apply the curves directly to an RGB version of the grayscale file.
The ICCs are essentially doing this.  When you print a grayscale file with
one of these ICCs, they convert it to RGB and apply the curve.  However, the
ICCs also do some other important things.  They linearize the output and
make the output match the monitor.

> ... I have a calibrated monitor, and use ICC profiles for every paper ...

Being able to make your own ICCs is a real plus.  Once you've made a few
with QTR, you'll find they are very easy.  It makes an excellent workflow.  

Paul
www.PaulRoark.com