Message
Re: [colorvision_group] PrintFix Pro 2.0 and B&W printing using Epson 2400 or 3800
2007-01-23 by CDTobie@aol.com
In a message dated 1/23/07 5:51:40 PM, mkraus1044@... writes:
What is the workflow for profiling and printing with PrintFix Pro
2.0 and Epson 2400 or 3800?
There are more than one, lets see what you have done so far...
I already have a good profile for color work. I have made another
profile adding extended greys.
Sounds good...
1. If I want to print B&W using the K3 inks, do I need to print
with the color driver and the new profile
That would be the likely method...
or can I somehow incorporate
into my workflow the Advanced B&W feature of the 2400 or 3800?
No, this isn't intended for AWB printing, that would lose you all your color data and tonal softproof.
2. If I need to use the color driver with the new profiles and
forgo the benefits of the Advanced B&W features,
Benefits? You are getting more benefits from the Color mode and a PFP2 profile, aren't you? Softproof, ICC profile printing, split tone capabilities, improved neutrality, more precise control of most all functions...
how does
the "neutrality" compare to using the Advanced B&W features?
The PFP2 color mode B&W printing is actually measured and adjusted for neutrality (as well as linearity) at many points from black to white, rather than being a blind assumption. So I find it to offer tighter neutrality than AWB (or frankly, most anything else). It also offer a wide range of options for how you want your paper white to ramp into your graytones as well; these will make grays less literally neutral, but more visually acceptable in many cases. Come to think of it, unless you are painstakingly rolling your own control curves for a RIP with a spectro, PFP2 profiles are the only method I know of that actually takes many measurements along the gray axis, and around the gray axis (to capture actual gray, where ever it may lie) and uses these values to automatically define neutrality in your prints. As I understand it, QTR CreateICC will do a similar thing if you import spectro measurements, but only for linearity, not for neutrality, you're on your own to define that part.
C. David Tobie
Product Technology Manager
ColorVision Business Unit
Datacolor Inc.
CDTobie@colorvision.com
www.colorvision.com