QTR-Quadtone RIP

I have been very busy the last couple of weeks learning some of the idiosyncracies of QTR 
that I think could possibly be of interest to many, because some of the things I learned 
were surprises to me.

I was attempting to get a maximum dmax using the UT14 inkset, but this may apply to 
other inksets as well.  The inkset I was using had a layout as follows:
ink 1 K = Eboni Black
ink 2 C = Cool PK
ink 3 M = Warm PK
ink 4 Y = GLOP
ink 5 LC = Dilute Cool PK
ink 6 LM = Dilute Warm PK

I was attempting to get the maximum black possible on a semi-glossy paper (ILFORD 
Galerie Gold Fibre Silk) using the PK inks, without using the Eboni Black which would 
require the use of GLOP, since Eboni doesn't adhere well to glossy type papers.

What surprised me after printing the inkseparation wedge at 100% was and taking many 
density readings was that I was getting a higher dmax readings with the DILUTE Cool and 
Warm PK inks rather that the expected UN-diluted Cool and Warm PK inks.  I took many 
readings and double checked and noticed that even though the dmax decreased after a 
certain point with higher ink loads, as they do with some papers, that the highest dmax 
readinsg was with the two diluted PK inks; the Diluted Warm PK was actually higher (a 
little over 2.33 at 95% inkload) than the Diluted Cool PK (at about 2.15 at 100% inkload).   
The Cool PK in the C position was actually a little higher than the diluted Cook PK in the 
LC position (at 2.19), but not enough to mess with as you will see with my final result.

So what I ended up doing was creating a Warm curve using only the Diluted Warm PK ink, 
in the LM slot at 95 % inkload.  With my "Cool" curve I ended up using the Diluted Warm PK 
ink in the LM position at 95% inkload for the darker blacks, and the Diluted Cool PK in the 
LC position at 100%, and at 76% of the Diluted Warm PK.  You don't even noticed the 
diluted warm PK at this dark a black, but you do notice them being blacker, which 
accomplishes our goal of a maximum dmax.

After Linearization my final result was textbook ideal linear densities with a dmax of 2.27 
on both my Cool and Warm Curves.

Some other things I discovered for myself was that I achieved a much better linearization 
by adjusting the HIGHLIGHT, SHADOW, AND GAMMA settings to get as close to linear as 
possible before linearization; using these settings with it's resultant print of the 21-step 
wedge for the linearization readings.

I hope my comments may help some of you get the best profiles possible with maximum 
dmax,

Randy